Call for Submissions
Quidi Vidi Art Search
Quidi Vidi Village is a unique neighbourhood, minutes from downtown St. John’s, nestled against the ocean. There are several businesses in the area, each with a unique point of view and a different clientele.
The Quidi Vidi Art Search is a public art project involving 4 new artwork commissions and/or acquisitions by 4 local businesses, including Quidi Vidi Artisan Studios, Mallard Cottage, Quidi Vidi Brewery, and the East Coast Trail Association.
The Art Search will foster the creation of new cultural infrastructure, reinforcing a unique sense of place. It also provides an opportunity for artists to have their work showcased in a novel way, and for local businesses to demonstrate how they value local arts and culture.
In the following, each participating business has worked with Business & Arts NL to create a project brief outlining the scope of artwork they are interested in, with further information about the project site and contact information.
Artworks commissioned or procured during this process are all permanent outdoor installations. The processes and materials used in the selected artworks are expected to withstand typical year-round weather conditions. We are looking for artwork with little to no maintenance requirements. Please include any relevant information about artwork durability and maintenance in your proposal. Designs should also consider public use and safety.
Timeline
Submissions must be received no later than December 8th at 11:59pm.
The selection committee (business operator, a representative from Business & Arts NL, as well as representatives from the visual arts community) will make selections by December 20, 2022.
A representative from the City of St. John’s will review proposals to ensure that any maintenance costs to be incurred by the City are deemed manageable before final selections are made.
The successful applicants will be notified by January 13, 2023.
Turnaround time for production and/or delivery of final artworks will be agreed upon with the selected artists with all work completed and delivered by April 21, 2023. The launch event will take place on May 20th 2023, with professional installations happening throughout the latter part of April into May.
Business & Arts NL believes that diversity strengthens and enriches us, and we are committed to helping make our province a more diverse and equitable place. Indigenous artists, artists from racialized communities, and artists from other equity-seeking groups are welcome and encouraged to apply. If you wish to self-identify, please do so in your expression of interest.
Submission Process
To apply, please compile the following information in a single PDF document per proposal.
If applying for multiple sites, please submit separate PDF submissions.
- For new commissions:
- Indicate the site/business
- A description and/or sketch of your vision for the art you would create, including anticipated dimensions, weight, materials, and processes
- A short description in response to how your proposed artwork fits the brief
- A short description of your prior experience with outdoor public artworks
- Any relevant information about durability in an outdoor public context, specifically maintenance considerations
- Project budget (materials, production, artist fees)
- 3 images of relevant previous work
- CV (max 2 pages)
- 200-word bio
- Link to your website or online portfolio
- For existing works:
- Indicate the site/business
- Dimensions, weight, and images of the existing work
- A short description in response to how this artwork fits the brief
- A short description of your prior experience with outdoor public artworks
- Any relevant information about durability in an outdoor public context, specifically maintenance considerations
- 3 images of relevant previous work
- CV (max 2 pages)
- 200-word bio
- Link to your website or online portfolio
Send submissions to Lynn Panting at programs@businessandartsnl.com
FAQs
Can I see the space where these works will be displayed?
Please see the individual business briefs for details on artwork placements, GPS coordinates, and site photos.
Who is eligible to apply?
This opportunity is open to artists who are from, or are currently living in, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Will you accept group submissions?
Yes! We would love to see proposals from groups or artists working together to present a shared vision.
Is there a limit on the number of proposals I can submit?
There is no limit to the number of proposals that may be submitted, but incomplete applications may not be considered.
What format should I be submitting in?
Each proposal must be submitted as a single PDF package.
How will these artwork be protected from wear and tear?
In addition to artistic merit and impact, the described durability will be a factor in the selection process. Each individual business will be the owner of the artwork that they purchase or commission, and maintenance will be their responsibility. Maintenance expectations will be outlined in the artist contract.
Questions?
Contact Lynn @ programs@businessandartsnl.com
Quidi Vidi Art Search
Project Brief #1
GPS: 47.582999, -52.677229
The East Coast Trail Association is seeking to commission or procure a permanent outdoor artwork to mark the trailhead of Sugarloaf Path, which is easily missed by tourists and new trail users.
The artwork may respond to themes such as erosion, land use, Indigeneity, local histories, walking, berry picking, and weather, amongst other relevant ideas connected to the popular trail network. Artists should consider logistical considerations such as maintenance and safety when developing a proposal.
Location:
The intent of the artwork is to be a visible trail marker, and would ideally be placed beside the path leading up to the official trail sign, visible from the parking area and from across the river. There is an area that regularly experiences erosion, which will not be used as a site location. The City of St. John’s will need to sign off on final placement. If you have a specific location in mind, please express this in your proposal.
Materials and Production:
The East Coast Trail Association prioritizes Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability in their trail management and associated projects. Ideally, all natural or recycled materials would be used in the production of the artwork. The association is imagining a sculpture for this site. Materials used should be able to withstand year-round conditions.
Artist Fee:
$10,000 (including production costs)
Turnaround time for production and/or delivery of final artworks will be agreed upon with the selected artists with all work completed and delivered by April 21, 2023. The launch event will take place on May 20th 2023, with installation happening throughout the latter part of April and into May.
Professional artwork installation will be arranged and provided by Business & Arts NL.
Consultation with Public Works, City of St. John’s, may be required.
Quidi Vidi Art Search
Project Brief #2
GPS: 47.5821458, -52.67795004
Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios (QVVAS) is seeking to commission or procure a permanent outdoor sculpture that can be both a standalone sculpture and a structure for future temporary textile installations. Once the permanent sculpture is in place, QVVAS will circulate a call for temporary textile projects, such as yarn-bombing, to be installed on the sculpture.
QVVAS is envisioning a dory-inspired sculpture, but is open to other suggestions that could be relevant to the site, which is by the harbour. Artists should consider logistical considerations such as maintenance and safety when developing a proposal.
Location:
There is a site currently filled with rocks adjacent to a pedestrian area, directly in front of the main entrance, and across from The Wharf public picnic area. The procured artwork would be installed in the rocky area, pending permission from the City of St. John’s.
Materials and Production:
Materials used should be able to withstand year-round conditions, including salt spray from the harbour.
Artist Fee:
$10,000 (including production costs)
Turnaround time for production and/or delivery of final artworks will be agreed upon with the selected artists with all work completed and delivered by April 21, 2023. The launch event will take place on May 20th 2023, with installation happening throughout the latter part of April and into May.
Professional artwork installation will be arranged and provided by Business & Arts NL.
Consultation with Public Works, City of St. John’s, may be required.
Quidi Vidi Art Search
Project Brief #3
GPS: 47.581689484, -52.67857969
Mallard Cottage is seeking to commission or procure a permanent outdoor artwork to be installed in the garden area in front of The Inn.
To fit with Mallard Cottage’s aesthetic and product line, artists may consider themes or imagery responding to traditional foodways, Newfoundland and Labrador flora and fauna, and rustic experiences of place and culture.
Location:
Ornamental garden in front of Mallard Inn, visible from Barrows Road.
Materials and Production:
Materials used should be able to withstand year-round conditions.
Artist Fee:
$10,000 (including production costs)
Turnaround time for production and/or delivery of final artworks will be agreed upon with the selected artists with all work completed and delivered by April 21, 2023. The launch event will take place on May 20th 2023, with installation happening throughout the latter part of April and into May.
Professional artwork installation will be arranged and provided by Business & Arts NL.
Consultation with Public Works, City of St. John’s, may be required.
Quidi Vidi Art Search
Project Brief #4
GPS: 47.58144715, -52.676010459
Quidi Vidi Brewery (QVB) is seeking to commission a permanent outdoor artwork that can function both as an iconic permanent piece marking visitors arrival at QVB, and as a wayfinding gate, directing traffic into the taproom and away from the loading dock.
The artwork gate would be approximately 7 to 8 feet tall, and 10-12 feet wide, blocking the view of the dockyard and avoiding confusion from patrons looking for the main entrance.
Potential concept prompts could include icebergs, local landscapes, and imagery referencing iconic QVB products. The artwork will become a permanent part of the sense of arrival at QVB and will resolve a current wayfinding problem.
Location:
Towards the main entrance of the taproom, QVB currently has a temporary gate that can be opened for deliveries and closed to divert customer traffic away from the loading dock, and down to the taproom. The artwork gate would replace this system.
Materials and Production:
Materials used should be able to withstand year-round conditions. Extra durability is considered an asset to a proposal, considering the functional nature of this particular commission. The artwork could take a mural and/or sculptural approach, but it must be able to function as a gate. The selected artist will meet with QVB management to plan the functionality of the gate including approving any materials, and QVB will provide the agreed upon infrastructure (e.g., posts, hinges, any automated features, etc.). The primary surface of the gate is the artist’s responsibility within their project budget.
Artist Fee:
$10,000 (including production costs, not including functional gate infrastructure or additional costs incurred by the artist during technical consultations with Business & Arts NL or QVB)
Administrative Fee:
$1,200
Additional communications and consultation with QVB around functionality will be required for this project.
Turnaround time for production and/or delivery of final artworks will be agreed upon with the selected artists with all work completed and delivered by April 21, 2023. The launch event will take place on May 20th 2023, with installation happening throughout the latter part of April and into May.
Professional artwork installation will be arranged and provided by Business & Arts NL.
Consultation with Public Works, City of St. John’s, may be required.
