International Village BIA – Call for Artists
Deadline: Monday 30 May 2022
The International Village BIA in downtown Hamilton is seeking proposals from experienced visual artists and muralists for a new series of murals celebrating women of colour. These murals aim to create a welcoming environment for diverse communities, with a focus on cultivating belonging and unity among women of colour who call Hamilton home.
A large proportion of the International Village BIA’s customers identify as women and this community is home to a growing population of newcomers. By recognizing and celebrating the unique cultural identities of women who frequent the BIA, this project will encourage social cohesion by cultivating an inviting public space that encourages diverse women to enjoy all the BIA has to offer.
We are seeking proposals for mural designs that are visually arresting and emphasize power and beauty while creating a sense of belonging for women of colour. A global perspective on women’s experiences and roles in society shaped community input on the murals’ possible content, with emphasis on the following themes and ideas:
- celebrating women who shape and sustain society as mothers, keepers of traditional knowledge and key players in social justice movements
- sharing specific signs and symbols of our unique cultures to create a sense of recognition and belonging
- strong interest in local stories of women of colour in Hamilton; we encourage efforts to include their stories in the larger social fabric of the city and its history
A minimum of three mural proposals will be commissioned and awarded an artist fee of $4500. Murals are to be completed off-site on a weather-durable substrate supplied by the BIA and will be treated with an anti-graffiti varnish prior to being professionally installed on public-facing, privately owned building exteriors throughout the BIA in early September 2022.
Artists are invited to submit proposals for one or more of the following prospective locations (additional sites may become available at a later date and will be posted on our Call for Artists page):
- 197 King William Street on the building’s north-east corner with a maximum possible scale of 300cm high x 250cm wide
- 245 King Street East on the building’s east wall facing Ferguson Street with a maximum possible scale of 220cm high x 670cm wide
- 310 King Street East on the building’s west wall facing Spring Street with a maximum possible scale of 300cm high x 600cm wide
We strongly encourage woman-identified artists of colour to submit proposals that reflect their own lived experience while addressing the artistic goals outlined above. However, artists of all cultural backgrounds and gender identities are welcome to apply.
Submission Requirements
Please send via email:
- 2-3 images/sketches of the proposed work
- 3-5 images of previous completed work that best reflects your proposal, accompanied by a list detailing title, date, medium and location if applicable
- Artist Statement describing the subject and context of your mural idea (250 words maximum)
- CV or resume including current contact information and outlining previous artistic experience
Send all submission materials to [email protected] with the subject line YOUR NAME, Mural Proposal. Proposals will be accepted until Monday 30 May 2022 at 11:59pm.
Artists will be selected based on visual impact and alignment with the project’s themes and artistic goals in consultation with BIA property owners and focus group participants. Notification will be sent to all artists by 30 June.
About the International Village BIA
Established in 1976, the International Village BIA is Hamilton’s first and oldest BIA and home to a spirited, attractive, and creative community encompassing Main Street East, King Street East and King William Street from Mary Street to West Avenue in Downtown Hamilton. Within this area, we serve a unique and vibrant mix of 140 businesses that attract a diverse population living and working in the downtown core.
For more information or questions about this call for submissions, please contact:
Stephanie Vegh, Project Consultant
[email protected]
