Opportunities Archive
Opportunities offered by Business & Arts NL, and by our members, through our Brokering and Collaboration Services.
Call for Artists and Performers
(Un)Common Threads Creativity and Innovation Conference
Fall 2024
Business and Arts NL is hosting a creativity and innovation summit at the Sheraton Hotel on November 7, 2024, that will bring together 250 participants from across the business and arts communities to explore creativity: what it is, how to harness it, and how to apply it to fuel innovation.
We are seeking artists to create work to be presented as part of this event, including works that can be performed live, or works that are created in advance and displayed at the event. We welcome submissions from artists at all career stages.
Our mission to facilitate meaningful dialogue and purposeful partnerships between the arts and business communities is front and center in the planning of this event. It follows that the involvement and work of artists is an essential element. It is deeply important that artist involvement is not "icing" or merely surface level. By integrating art and performance throughout the summit, we will demonstrate the vital role of art and creativity to inspire, challenge, and connect people, and how businesses can work with artists to create exceptional experiences. For this reason, submissions of works with an interactive component are encouraged.
Theme:
We’re looking for creative works that explore the theme, “(Un)Common Threads”. We use this title for our event series in the creative/innovation space because of the variety of images and connotations it engenders, and the interplay between:
Common, as in what the business and arts have in common - a desire for impact, for evolution and innovation, teams, problems and solutions etc. etc., and a desire to seek uncommon, surprising, unexpected synergies
Common, as in plain, widely available, mundane, everyday, etc. When creativity is applied to these common ideas, items, and problems, innovative solutions and viewpoints arise.
Threads in figurative and literal forms - narrative threads, connective tissues, the “ties that bind” etc.
Artists should feel free to interpret this theme in any way that feels appropriate.
Compensation:
$3,500 - $10,000 per artist, including materials, delivery, installation and takedown, performance fees, licensing fees for photographs of your performance/work, and promotional materials including a short written statement about your work/process, short process videos and photos for social media. Each selected artist will be required to attend the summit on Nov 7, 2024, and to be featured in a Spotlight on Partnerships story about your work and how it ties to this theme. For participating artists from within the province who do not live on the Avalon Peninsula, travel expenses will be provided.
Timelines:
Deadline to submit an expression of interest: Friday, May 31, 2024
If necessary, shortlisted applicants may be asked to create a second, more detailed application, and will be paid $500 for this work.
Final selections will be made no later than June 28.
Performances/presentations will take place on Nov 7, 2024.
Delivery and installation of artworks, props, equipment etc. will take place on the morning of Nov 7, 2024, and be taken down at the end of the same day.
All selected artists will take part in the summit on Nov 7, 2024.
Submission requirements:
Please submit the following information in a single pdf by email to: info@businessandartsnl.com
A description (max 500 words) of your proposed performance, exhibition, or contribution to the summit, including how you envision participants interacting with it (i.e. watching a performance, stopping by during coffee and lunch breaks to check it out in detail, displaying on screens throughout the space etc. participating in small groups throughout the day, etc.). If you prefer to send this portion of your submission via video, please limit the video length to no longer than 3 minutes.
A project budget, including artist fees for yourself and any collaborators, materials, delivery, installation/takedown, a licensing fee for images/short videos of your artwork to be used by Business and Arts NL’s marketing and social media, and a fee for providing marketing materials such as short process videos and photos for social media. If you are travelling from within NL, but outside the Avalon Peninsula, please provide expected travel costs, (according to the federal government’s travel directive). These will be outside of your artist fee. We have provided a budget template which includes possible cost categories and links to useful resources to help you structure your budget. Please see below to download.
Technical requirements (see FAQ for limitations)
A 200-word bio
A link to your website or portfolio
Up to five examples (images, links to videos or recordings, etc.) of your work, including similar works, examples that demonstrate your ability to execute the proposed artwork, concept sketches, etc.
FAQs:
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Please submit only one concept per application. If you would like to submit more than one idea, you may do so in a separate package.
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Please submit your application as a single pdf, with links to video/audio files.
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This call is open to artists from anywhere, but only artists living within Newfoundland and Labrador and outside of the Avalon Peninsula will have their travel costs to participate in the event covered.
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The conference team (including Business and Arts staff, board, and advisory committee members) will evaluate/assess the submissions based on the proposed project’s relevance, feasibility, and connection to the stated theme.
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Existing work is welcome.
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Our vision for participants’ interaction with art at this event is that it will spark conversations, compel people to circulate throughout the event spaces, help them engage thoughtfully with the themes, and be surprised. We do not want artworks and performances to be in the background during networking opportunities, but will rather serve as examples of creativity and innovation themselves, and provide experiences that participants feel a part of.
Interactivity is not a requirement, but would be very welcome. Examples of interactivity might include:
Opportunities to interact in a passive/gentle way (for instance, using your phone)
Reactive or co-creative opportunities (for instance, using ideas or contributions submitted by participants in advance or in the moment)
Works that interact with data provided by a participant or participants
Works that react to, or are impacted by the audience
Works that use interactive media
Facilitated interactivity, including works or experiences that are co-created by participants throughout the course of the day (within time constraints)
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Artists will maintain ownership of their artworks.
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We’re open to any forms of artistic expression, including, but not limited to musical, dance, and theatrical performances, visual artworks including digital media, sculpture, paintings, textiles, etc.
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We won’t have permission to mount works onto the walls at the Sheraton, so 2D artworks will be displayed on easels. There are two 7x13 screens and a 8000 Lumen projector, as well as 75" LED HD monitors on rolling stands available that could be used to display digital artworks. There will be a small stage, and a modest A/V setup to support performances. Please see attached images of the event spaces.
As we only get access to the Sheraton on the day of the event, works must be easily transported and able to be set-up early on the morning of the event.
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Three main speakers have been selected so far, discussing their own creative processes, and how creativity is applied to their business in the film, marketing, and theatre worlds
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Yes, by all means. This opportunity is open to all emerging and professional artists and arts organizations.
Please note, the artist fee range of $3,500 - $10,000 for this event is per project, not per artist, and so a joint submission needs to fit within this budget.
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Images/videos/audio submitted are one of the most compelling tools we have of communicating artist ideas. This is especially helpful when submitting to a selection committee that is not wholly comprised of artists, as in this case.
Select images that do the best job of illustrating the work you’re proposing to share, whether it’s recent work, or a sketch of a new idea etc.
If two artists are working together and combining two very different types of work, and you think each artist needs to submit 5 separate images, in order to thoroughly illustrate your concept that’s fine.
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Yes, links to video or audio samples are welcome. Please include links to online content in your pdf submission rather than as separate mp4 files etc.
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Depending on our final budget and timing considerations, we’re hoping to select between 3 and 8 artists to be part of this work.
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Yes, we are happy to accept proposed project descriptions in alternative formats including audio or video submissions. These recordings should be no longer than three minutes long. All other materials (budget, portfolio, technical requirements, support materials) should be submitted in pdf.
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Yes.
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Yes.
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Our programming for the day is still very flexible, and so we’re asking you to submit ideas and projects that are your best, most resonant ideas for this opportunity. We are not stating max/min timeframes, and will build the program to create an event that fills the day, meets our goals, fits the budget, and showcases a range of artists and artistic media.
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The following possibilities are currently imagined:
All 300 participants sit at round tables and observe a performance.
Participants move through several spaces over the course of 30-45-minute blocks and interact with artistic presentation at their own pace.
Please note, there will be more limited capacity in the schedule for the first format, as audience members will also be seated/stationary during keynote presentations.
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All set up and tear down will have to take place on the day of the event, before 8:30 am and after 4:30 pm.
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This event will be open to the general public. We expect attendees to come from a mix of sectors, including tech, marketing, arts, film and tv, architecture and design etc. This work will be geared towards leaders and teams looking to explore the importance of creativity in their work.
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This event will position artists as professionals use hone and apply creativity to their work, and whom others outside of the arts community can learn from. This event also presents art as an important and varied tool for communication, self-exploration, and creating shared experiences.
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Each artist-in-residence will be featured in the conference program (online and in print), on social media announcements about the conference, and have a Spotlight on Partnerships story written about them, and be featured in post-event reporting.
Participating artists-in-residence will receive professional photographs of their participation in the conference to use for their own portfolio/marketing.
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To help make building a budget for this project easier, we have provided a template with a breakdown of potential cost categories and useful resources to help with pricing etc. Please feel free to use this as a guide, or download and submit your budget using this form-fillable template. (Download below).
The event will take place throughout three spaces in the Sheraton:
Ballroom
Court Garden
Pre-Function Area
Call for Artworks
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services
Mental Health and Addictions Centre, St. John’s
The Mental Health and Addictions Centre in St. John’s is scheduled to open in late fall 2024. The vision for the new facility is to be a beacon, a guiding light that resonates with clients, families, staff, and community partners.
In Canada and around the world, integrating visual art experiences within hospital settings is increasingly recognized as a measurable improvement to therapeutic environments, in the context of mental health facilities. NL Health Services plans to include many works of art by artists from our communities in this important new building.
The Project Team is currently seeking submissions of 2D artworks including drawing, paintings, photographs, and original prints (serigraphy, intaglio, lithography, etc) on archival materials, as well as textiles, encaustic work, or other low-relief artworks that are able to be mounted and framed. In order to submit up to five works between 18” and 48” wide, with a purchase price between $500 and $1,500, artists should register by requesting the full information package and submission form by emailing open.calls@centralhealth.nl.ca.
The process will be as follows:
Interested artists register for the opportunity by sending an email to: open.calls@centralhealth.nl.ca no later than February 22, 2024 at 4pm, NST.
Once the February 22 deadline to register has passed, all registered artists will receive the full information package via email and submission instructions via email.
Registered artists will then have three weeks to submit their artworks for consideration (deadline: March 15, 2024).
Please note, artists who have not registered by the deadline of February 22 at 4pm NST will not be eligible to submit their artworks for consideration.
Public Information Session
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services
New Mental Adult Health and Addictions Facility, St. John’s
Public Information Session
Work building the new Mental Health & Addictions Centre is well underway. The vision for the new facility is to be a beacon, a guiding light that resonates with clients, families, staff, and community partners.
In Canada and around the world, integrating visual art experiences within hospital settings is increasingly recognized as a measurable improvement to therapeutic environments, in the context of mental health facilities. NL Health Services plans to include many works of art by artists from our communities in this important new building.
The Project Team will be seeking submissions of 2D artworks including drawing, paintings, photographs, and original prints (serigraphy, intaglio, lithography, etc) on archival materials, as well as textiles, encaustic work, or other low-relief artworks that are able to be mounted and framed.
Artists will be invited to submit up to five works between 18” and 48” wide, with a purchase price between $500 and $1,500 each.
A public information session will be held regarding this opportunity on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10am. Please email open.calls@centralhealth.nl.ca to receive the link to join.
Call for Artists and Creators – Murals, Digital Artworks, and Reproductions
Public Artwork Opportunity
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services – New Mental Adult Health and Addictions Facility, St. John’s
Please note: A public information session will be held regarding these opportunities on Wednesday, Oct 18th at 9am. Please email open.calls@centralhealth.nl.ca to register and receive the link to join.
The New Adult Mental Health & Addictions facility is scheduled to open in late fall 2024. The vision for the new facility is to be a beacon, a guiding light that resonates with clients, families, staff, and community partners.
In Canada and around the world, integrating visual art experiences within hospital settings is increasingly recognized as a measurable improvement to therapeutic environments, in the context of mental health facilities. NL Health Services plans to include many works of art by artists from our communities in this important new building.
This Request for Proposals is for eleven (11) murals (digital and/or painted), one (1) three-screen digital artwork, and twenty (20) digital artwork reproductions.
If you are an artist or creator who makes digital artworks, screen-based art, and/or paints murals, please read the full RFP* at: https://www.merx.com/public/solicitations/2641011952/abstract
The deadline for applications is Nov 16, 2023. For more details, including budgetary information, please read the full RFP.
*To view more information about the MERX platform and its features, please visit www.merx.com/public/Help to watch more online tutorials. This portal is free to use, but does require users to create an account and login.
If you have questions about the application process, or how to use the Merx system to apply, please contact: open.calls@centralhealth.nl.ca
Public Artwork Opportunity for Artists and Creators
Public Artwork Opportunity
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services – New Mental Adult Health and Addictions Facility, St. John’s
The New Adult Mental Health & Addictions facility is scheduled to open in late fall 2024. The vision for the new facility is to be a beacon, a guiding light that resonates with clients, families, staff, and community partners.
In Canada and around the world, integrating visual art experiences within hospital settings is increasingly recognized as a measurable improvement to therapeutic environments, in the context of mental health facilities. NL Health Services plans to include many works of art by artists from our communities in this important new building.
This Request for Proposals is for a central 3D Suspended Artwork for the main atrium of the facility.
If you are an artist or creator who makes large artworks that would be suitable to be included, please read the full RFP* at: https://www.merx.com/public/solicitations/2639645064/abstract
The deadline for this opportunity is Nov 30, 2023. For full details, including budgetary information, please read the full RFP.
*To view more information about the MERX platform and its features, please visit www.merx.com/public/Help to watch more online tutorials. This portal is free to use, but does require users to create an account and login.
If you have questions about the application process, or how to use the Merx system to apply, please contact: open.calls@centralhealth.nl.ca
Call for Selection Committee Members – Public Artworks
Public Artwork Opportunity
Are you passionate about public art? Consider joining us!
Business and Arts NL works with partners in the public and private sectors to help them commission artworks. The selection process for public artworks must include voices from a broad range of stakeholders, including the client, other stakeholders who best represent the people likely to engage with the artwork(s) on a daily basis, and professional artists.
We are seeking visual artists and curators interested in joining selection committees for one of Business and Arts’ public art projects in 2023-2024.
Business and Arts NL is committed to paying artist fees in accordance with CARFAC’s guidelines. Depending on the number of applications for a given project, this usually means a half-day consultation rate of $335, or a full-day consultation rate of $591.
Interested in joining us? Please submit a CV and a statement of interest (written or video) as follows:
Written and video submissions should address the following:
Why are you interested in this opportunity?
Why are you qualified to contribute in this manner?
What will you contribute to the collaborative conversation involved in making these decisions?
Video submissions should last no longer than 6 minutes. Assessors will not listen past the 6-minute mark.
Please submit your applications to: info@businessandartsnl.com no later than June 5, 2023.
Call for Submissions – Explore Art NL, 2023 Art Car
Public Artwork Opportunity
How would you like to see your art on the move?
Business & Arts NL has teamed up with MINI St. John’s to offer an exciting opportunity!
Call for submissions
Are you an illustrator, graphic designer and/or a visual artist with a strong graphic aesthetic? We’re looking for you to produce scalable digital art that will be printed on vinyl and wrapped around a white, 2023 MINI Countryman. Your art will be seen by thousands throughout the City of St. John’s and surrounding areas, and on social media!
This is the second Art Car collaboration – check out the Genesis GV 80 Art Car designed by Vanessa Iddon in 2021.
Interested? Please submit:
3 images of your work
A description of your proposed vision for the car – we welcome submissions of new or previously created work (250 words max)
A 200-word bio
A link to your website or portfolio
We are looking for a design that is colourful and bold. Check out our FAQ below for more information.
The selected artist will be invited to design an Art Car to help spread the word about Business and Arts NL’s Explore Art NL public art app. The back window design (provided by Business and Arts) will include messaging about the app.
Our mission is simple: We want to use the MINI Countryman as a canvas to create a work of public art and showcase as much creativity as possible.
What’s In It For You:
An artist fee of $2,000
An artist credit printed on the vehicle itself
You and your work will also be featured on our website, social media and through our marketing initiatives.
Timeline:
Submission deadline: Thursday, April 13 by 11:59 pm
The successful candidate will be contacted by April 21.
Artist files for the final design will be completed by May 25th.
The car will be wrapped and hitting the streets by mid-June!
This project is made possible with the generous support of MINI St. John’s.
FAQS:
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Our submission is wide open! We encourage artists to consider how their style would look wrapped around the different panels and surfaces of a vehicle. The end result will need to be an artwork that works effectively as a seamless and continuous wrap that follows the contours of the car including the roof, sides, hood and trunk. Reference the images here. All windows will remain clear except the back, which will include credits and sponsor logos.
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Still not sure what we’re after? Take a look at the BMW Art Car Collection, which helped inspire this project.
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This call is open to NL-based creatives only. The selected artist will be provided with the printer’s specs and is responsible for setting up the files so they are production-ready.
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Yes, 3 samples of work that demonstrate your ability to produce digital work and creative style. We also encourage you to provide a link to your website or Instagram page to give jurors the opportunity to view a broader range of your work as well.
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Please submit your application as a single PDF under 10 MB.
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Due to the large size and nature of the vehicle wrap process, we are only accepting artists or designers who are proficient in working with vector-based software to produce scalable work that they can adapt to the individual panels. The selected artist will be provided with the printer’s specs and is responsible for setting up the files so they are production-ready.
Questions?
Please contact hazel@businessandartsnl.com. We will get back to you within 2 business days.
Call for Selection Committee Members – Quidi Vidi Art Search
Public Artwork Opportunity
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 fosters 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.
Artworks commissioned or procured for the Quidi Vidi Art Search are 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. Designs should also consider public use and safety.
We are seeking visual artists, curators, art writers, and academics to join us as part of a selection committee, alongside project partners and Business and Arts staff to:
Review the submissions.
Discuss which works are eligible according to the given criteria and the site specifics.
Share your thoughts about how we can drive engagement with public art, foster learning and respect for diverse artistic practices, and recommend an artist proposal for the proposed site.
Business and Arts NL is committed to paying artist fees in accordance with CARFAC’s guidelines. Committee members will be paid $335 for a half-day’s consultation, including reviewing the applications in advance and a 90 minute meeting.
Interested in joining us? Please submit a CV and a statement of interest (written or video) as follows:
Written and video submissions should address the following:
Why are you interested in this opportunity?
Why are you qualified to contribute in this manner?
What makes for a great piece of public art?
Video submissions should last no longer than 5 minutes. Assessors will not listen past the 5-minute mark.
Please submit your applications to: programs@businessandartsnl.com no later than December 6, 2022.
FAQ’s
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The submission form, including what information is being collected about proposed works can be found here. We expect no more than 6 applications per site.
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Once committee members have been selected, we’ll give you one-two weeks to review the materials, and then set a committee meeting in mid December.
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We’re seeking 4 individuals, one for each site, to join the project curator, two Business and Arts staff members, as well as the site stakeholders.
Questions?
Contact Lynn at programs@businessandartsnl.com
Call for Submissions - Quidi Vidi Art Search
Public Artwork Opportunity
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 artworks 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.
Explore Art NL – Art Car
How would you like to see your art on the move?
Business & Arts NL has teamed up with Genesis St. John’s to offer an exciting opportunity!
Call for Submissions
Are you an NL illustrator, graphic designer and/or a visual artist with a strong graphic aesthetic? We’re looking for you to produce scalable vector-based art that will be printed on vinyl and wrapped around a white 2021 Genesis GV80. Your art will be seen by thousands throughout the City of St. John’s and surrounding areas, and on social media!
Interested? Please submit:
3 images of your work (We encourage artists to submit samples of work that has already been produced.)
A 200-word bio
A link to your website or portfolio through the submission form below.
We are looking for a design that is colourful and bold. Check out our FAQ below for more information.
The selected artist will be invited to design an Art Car to help announce Business and Arts NL’s Explore Art NL public art app launching this summer.
Our mission is simple: We want to use the Genesis GV80 as a canvas to create a work of public art and showcase as much creativity as possible.
What’s In It For You:
An artist fee of $2,000
An artist credit printed on the vehicle itself
You and your work will also be featured on our website, social media and through our marketing initiatives.
Timeline:
Submission deadline: Thursday, July 22 by 11:59 pm
The successful candidate will be contacted by July 26.
The car will be wrapped and hitting the streets by mid-August.
FAQS:
Is there a specific theme or guidelines to follow when submitting?
Our submission is wide open! We encourage artists to consider how their style would look wrapped around the different panels and surfaces of a vehicle. The end result will need to be an artwork that works effectively as a seamless and continuous wrap that follows the contours of the car including the roof, sides, hood and truck. Reference the photos above. Anything that is white will be wrapped! All windows will remain clear except the back, which will include credits and sponsor logos.
We recommend avoiding text as it may be difficult to read when wrapped around the car.
Still not sure what we’re after? Take a look at the BMW Art Car Collection, which helped inspire this project.
Eligibility
This call is open to NL-based creatives only. The selected artist will be provided with the printer’s specs and is responsible for setting up the files so they are production-ready.
Is there a limit on the number of pieces I can submit?
Yes, 3 samples of work that demonstrate your ability to produce vector-based work and creative style. We also encourage you to provide a link to your website or Instagram page to give jurors the opportunity to view a broader range of your work as well.
What format should I be submitting in?
JPGs under 10MB. Please label each file with the following format 01_Artists_Name
Do you accept photography or painting submissions?
Due to the large size and nature of the vehicle wrap process, we are only accepting artists or designers who are proficient in working with vector-based software to produce a scalable work that they can adapt to the individual panels.
Questions?
Please contact hazel@businessandartsnl.com. We will get back to you within 2 business days.
Call for Submissions: “Art Upon Arrival” @ St. John’s International Airport
The St. John’s International Airport is embarking on a project to boldly impact travellers’ sense of arrival in Newfoundland and Labrador when they touch down in St. John’s. We want to transform our baggage collection area into a bright, welcoming space by commissioning art to be wrapped around 8 large columns throughout this central thoroughfare for all passengers arriving in St. John’s.
We want travellers to know where they are, and feel welcome and at home as soon as they arrive. We are looking for designs that are bright and help reflect the visceral feeling of arriving in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our goal is to commission artworks that engender these feelings, while still allowing the individuality of an artist’s voice to shine through. It’s okay to think beyond the old clichés – unexpected imagery around what this sense of arrival means to you is encouraged.
Are you an illustrator, graphic designer and/or a visual artist with a strong graphic aesthetic? We’re looking for an artist, or group of artists, to produce scalable vector-based art that will be printed on vinyl and wrapped around these columns, each of which is 98” x 40” and approx. 78” in diameter, with a small vertical gap or seam.
Selected artworks will be seen by over a million passengers and up to 5 million local “meeters and greeters” passing through the airport each year.
Artist fee: $ 23,200, or $2,900 per column.
If a group of artists are selected for this contract, the artist fee will be divided at a rate of $2,900 per column, or in the case of collaborative works, the full $23,200 artist fee will be divided fairly in consultation with the artist group.
St. John’s International Airport Authority will cover costs for printing and installation of the final works. There may be future opportunities to promote the work and the airport through licensed copies, to be negotiated at a future date.
Interested? Please submit:
3 images of your previous work
A description of your vision for the art you would create to cover these columns, and a brief description of your prior experience with vector-based artworks
A 200-word biography
A link to your website or portfolio
Please also indicate in your application if you would consider sharing the commission with another artist. For example, if the jury felt that two strong submissions were complementary to each other, and achieved more together than separately, the artists may be offered to share the commission.
Submissions should be sent to: ahenderson@businessandartsnl.com.
Timeline:
Submissions must be received no later than July 15th at 11:59pm.
The selection committee (including staff from the Airport, a representative from Business and Arts NL, as well as representatives from the visual arts community) will make selections by July 22.
The successful applicant or group will be notified by July 26.
Turnaround time for production of final artwork files will be agreed upon with the selected artist, but the Airport is hoping, at the latest, for an October installation and public event to celebrate the artworks.
Interested in learning more about this opportunity, or walking through the space? Join Airport Staff and Business and Arts NL for a site walk through and Q&A on Tuesday, July 5, at 11am. Please register in advance by emailing ahenderson@businessandartsnl.com. Applicants who aren’t within driving distance to the airport are welcome to reach out with questions individually.
Business and Arts NL believes that diversity strengthens and enriches us, and we are committed to helping to 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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I see the space where these works will be displayed?
Sure. You can come to a site walkthrough for interested artists on Tuesday, July 5 at 11am. Here are some pictures of the site, as well:
Is this opportunity open only to artists who are from, or live permanently, in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Yes.
Do I submit one concept to be replicated eight times, or eight different designs?
Each column will have a different image on it – please submit ideas for eight different images that work together as a set.
Will you accept group submissions?
Yes! We would love to see proposals from groups or artists working together to present a shared vision of this concept, highlighting individual styles and perspectives from within the group.
Can I submit pre-existing works to be included in the final commission?
Yes, if you have some of your original work at your fingertips that you feel would work wrapped around these columns to create the impact we’re looking for, by all means, please submit them. The final works could also be a combination of pre-existing and new works, or all new works.
Can I submit pre-existing works to be included in the final commission that have previously been commercially produced (ie. wallpaper, prints, etc)?
Yes! Feel free to submit any works that fit the given theme, provided they are your original works and you are the copyright holder.
Is there a limit on the number of pieces I can submit?
Yes, 3 samples of work that demonstrate your ability to produce vector-based work and creative style. We also encourage you to provide a link to your website or Instagram page to give jurors the opportunity to view a broader range of your work as well.
What format should I be submitting in?
JPGs under 5MB
Do you accept photography or painting submissions?
Due to the large size and nature of the wrap process, we are only accepting artists or designers who are proficient in working with vector-based software to produce a scalable work that they can wrap around the columns. The selected artist(s) will be provided with the printer’s specs and will be responsible for setting up the files so they are production-ready.
If my art is selected, should I expect to have to submit mock ups for approval, or make changes to my files once I’ve completed them?
The committee will ask to see a rough mock-up of your concept for approval before delivery of final files. Following that, minor formatting adjustments may need to be made in order to tweak designs for the perfect fit on the columns. Other than this, we expect to give you the artistic freedom and integrity to create the designs as you see fit.
How will these artworks be protected from wear and tear?
The artworks are being installed in the top 8 ft 1in of the column, under which is a brushed metal base that is able to withstand bumps and contact from luggage carts, suitcases etc. This choice has been made intentionally, in order to prevent serious wear and tear to the bottom of the artwork. However members of the public will still be able to touch the works. See pictures of the columns above. The materials used for installation will be resistant to colour fading, durable to any normal wear, and the adhesive will be suitable for a natural life of a minimum of 10 years.
Is the column installation a permanent addition to the baggage area? What is the protocol regarding damage, re-prints, or other changes that could impact the column installation?
The Airport retains permission to reprint and re-install the artworks in their original locations for up to 10 years, at no extra cost, in order to maintain the integrity of the artworks should any substantial damage ensue.
Questions?
Contact Amy @ ahenderson@businessandartsnl.com
Call for Submissions – Labrador Grenfell Health – Tree of Hope Project
Labrador-Grenfell Health is seeking an artist or painter in our community to create a mural in the Multi-purpose Room in the Mental Health Unit at the Labrador Grenfell Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, slated to open in early summer, 2022.
This is part of a larger-scale project, to include artworks in all mental health and addictions inpatient units across the province. Artworks in this program will:
Honour the voices of individuals and family members’ experiences with mental illness and substance use disorders
Actively incorporate the perspectives of Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disability and migrant perspectives
Increase visual connections to land, place, nature and/or human experience as a means of stress and aggression reduction
Connect staff, patients and visitors within the facility to images of life and communities across the province
Encourage conversation and knowledge exchange
Engage the community at large and promote these facilities as a space that promotes the integration between arts, science, and wellness
Enhance the health centre experience with the healing power of art
Interpret the sensory and restorative aspects of the natural world
Be of high quality
Make the health centre feel less institutional and more welcoming
This mural will be the centrepoint of the Multipurpose Room, a circular meeting room that will be used for group therapy sessions, cultural activities, and informal gatherings. The room is meant to be a strong, spiritual, healing space and a place that represents the North in its design and feeling. It will feature a wooden ceiling, windows placed in a pattern to represent the northern lights, and walls painted “Labrador Blue” – just like the sky on a “large Labrador day”, in springtime out on the land.
This mural itself will:
Feature a tree, an important symbol of growth and hope for the future.
Fill a wall of 2.7 m x 3.65 m
Feature a participatory element, designed and facilitated by the selected artist. The Mental Health Unit Committee envisions a participatory aspect involving having staff, administrators, and other community members each paint a natural element (for example, butterflies, birds, flowers etc.) as part of the mural. This project will help signify the sense of community surrounding the Centre, and will contribute to a sense of whimsy and a relaxed atmosphere in the room.
We are seeking someone who:
Has experience painting public murals or large paintings
Is able to lead a community artwork project to complement the mural
Artist fee: $5,500 including the cost of materials
Interested applicants should submit:
3 images of your work,
a 200-word summary of your relevant experience,
and
a brief description (100-200 words) of your vision for the project, including how you would propose to facilitate the community engagement portion
to: info@businessandartsnl.com, no later than April 30, 2022.
Selection Process
The selection committee will include members of the Mental Health Unit Committee, and a representative from the arts community.
The committee will or reach out for additional information and materials from candidates whom they feel will create artwork with the right look and feel for the space, do a good job of facilitating the community involvement element of the project, and keep this work rooted in the local community, and the experiences of those living with mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
FAQ’s
Who is qualified to apply?
We are inviting community members with art or painting experience to apply. This opportunity is intended for a capable artist who is drawn to this project concept, regardless of their status as a “professional artist” or not. All artists with connections to our community are warmly invited to apply, including hobby artists, emerging artists, and professional artists.
Any experience creating large-scale paintings will be considered an asset, such as public murals, decorative wall paintings in children’s bedrooms, large-scale rock art or folk art, or any other relevant large-scale painting project.
What format should I be submitting in?
JPGs (under 5MB) submitted by email are preferable. Reach out to info@businessandartsnl.com or call Amy at (709) 745 1611 if you would like to submit in another format.
When will the painting of the mural take place?
According to current construction timelines, this will take place sometime in late May or early June.
Is there a limit on the number of pieces I can submit?
Yes, 3 samples of work that demonstrate your painting style would be appreciated. If available, we also encourage you to provide a link to your website, or Facebook / Instagram page to give jurors the opportunity to view a broader range of your work as well.
Questions?
Contact Amy @ ahenderson@businessandartsnl.com