Sense of Arrival: Call for 3 Public Art Opportunities
Sense of Arrival: Parking Lot Revitalization
Call for Proposals for 3 Public Art Opportunities
St. John’s International Airport
Submission Deadline: January 17, 2025
Public information session: December 17, 2024 at 10:00 am Register here
Please note: in order to streamline communication and ensure fair access to equal information about this opportunity, the Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom of this document will be updated weekly with additional information as questions from the community come in throughout the process.
Public Art Opportunity Overview:
The St. John’s International Airport invites applications from professional artists or artist teams to create public artwork(s) for the proposed redevelopment of the airport’s parking lot expansion. There are 3 sites for outdoor public artworks, which will contribute to the Airport’s ongoing Sense of Arrival initiative.
Completion and installation of the artworks are expected to coincide with the opening of the new parking lot in July 2025.
About St. John’s International Airport
St. John’s International Airport Authority (SJIAA) connects Newfoundland and Labrador with the world. We are a private, not-for-profit, non-share capital corporation that provides safe and efficient air transportation services at the most easterly airport and city in North America. We are Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier transportation gateway, and we serve as an important catalyst for business and economic growth throughout the province.
Along with our partners in aviation, we are committed to offering an exceptional airport experience for our passengers and enhancing the economic, environmental, social, and cultural wellbeing of our community. We enable tourism and business growth, provide an essential transportation hub for the delivery of critical products and services, and offer a welcoming environment where families and friends both reunite and say goodbye.
We are committed to developing programming and artwork that offer passengers a singular and memorable experience that will shape their first and last impressions of this place. Time spent at the Airport should be comfortable, engaging, and resonant: what passengers see, hear, and experience at the Airport will spark their imaginations and connect them to the unique spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador.
For arriving passengers, this experience will evoke anticipation, or the familiar pride of returning home. Departing passengers will leave with a sense of excitement, already building their "must-see" list for their next visit.
The Sense of Arrival initiative positions the Airport as a central part of the Newfoundland and Labrador experience while contributing to the province’s economic growth and development. Sense of Arrival: Parking Lot Revitalization is the second project in this multi-year initiative focusing on enhancing the space where journeys begin and end. As the parking lot infrastructure evolves over time, some of these artworks may eventually be relocated to maintain their prominence and visibility.
Potential Themes or Artwork Considerations:
We invite proposals that respond to at least one of the following themes.
Theme 1: Gateways and Transitions
The airport is not just a physical location but a threshold—a point of arrival and departure, representing transitions in both personal journeys and broader cultural exchanges. We invite artists to explore how the airport serves as a gateway to Newfoundland and Labrador, and the communities and places in the province beyond St. John’s. The theme of "Gateways and Transitions" can encompass various aspects of transition and change, including:
Transitions in Life: Reflecting moments of arrival, departure, reunion, or change.
Local to Global Movement: The flow of people from around the world to this unique part of the continent and back.
Sense of Belonging and Receptivity: Welcoming newcomers, immigrants, and returning locals alike, embracing cultural diversity and shared experiences.
Cycles of Change: From daily rhythms to seasonal shifts, transitions are often marked by natural and human-made cycles.
Keywords and concepts to consider: Arrival, Departure, Welcome, Homecoming, New Beginnings, Transformation, Boundaries, Connections, Receptivity, Cycles, Flow, Movement, Gateways.
Theme 2: Nature and Built Environments
Newfoundland and Labrador's landscape is defined by a striking contrast between its natural beauty and modern built environments. The province's culture and identity sit at the intersection of these two worlds—where rugged, untamed nature meets urban innovation and development. We encourage artists to explore the relationship between the natural world and the spaces shaped by human activity, examining how these environments coexist and shape life in Newfoundland and Labrador. Artworks can consider:
Weather and Climate: Responding to or interacting with Newfoundland and Labrador's dynamic and unpredictable weather– fog, wind, and seasonal shifts that impact and shape both the natural environment and our experience of public spaces.
Urban and Rural: Examining the balance between modern progress and the desire to connect with nature, and how this interplay is reflected in the province's diverse places and ecosystems.
Seasons and Rhythms: Reflecting on how the cycles of nature influence life in the province, from long winters to short yet vibrant summers, and how these shifts shape the built environment, human experience and cultural practices across the province.
Keywords and concepts to consider: Coast, Terrain, Nature, Urban, Built Environment, Weather, Climate, Seasons, Rhythms, Patterns, Atmosphere, Elements, Ecosystems, Cycles, Identity, Connection to Place, Nature as a refuge, Progress, Wilderness.
Theme 3: Movement and Adventure
As a global gateway and a hub for travellers, St. John’s International Airport is a place where stories of adventure, exploration, and movement come together. Whether it’s the excitement of a journey beginning or the relief of returning home, the airport represents a point of connection that bridges people, places, and cultures. This theme invites artists to respond to the excitement of exploration, and the sense of connection and discovery that comes with movement. It can also speak to the idea of boundaries—both physical and conceptual—and the fluidity of these boundaries in our modern world.
Exploration and Travel: The thrill of new destinations, unknown paths, and the discovery of new sights, places and communities.
Connection through Movement: The links between St. John’s and communities across the province and the globe, and how travel fosters connection and understanding.
Maps and Navigation: The physical and metaphorical systems of navigation that guide travellers, whether through the landscape or in their life journeys. How can maps be used as tools for dialogue or to chart experiences, public opinions, emotions and memories?
Keywords and concepts to consider: Adventure, Journey, Travel, Global, Local, Navigation, Borders, Connection, Maps, Exploration, Paths, Movement, Discovery, Boundaries, Horizons, Direction, Perspective.
Site Locations:
We’re seeking artwork for three locations. Artists/artist teams are welcome to submit proposals for one, two or all three sites. Submissions of concepts that coordinate artworks between multiple sites are also welcome.
Click the button below to download a PDF of the site plans and renderings for the St. John’s International Airport Public Art Proposed Locations.
Site plans by Mills & Wright
Site 1: Exit Plaza
This artwork sits at the gateway to the airport. All vehicles exiting the airport will pass by this work on their way to the Exit Plaza and if they are queued, they will have time to admire the artwork from their vehicle. which will be visible from 360 degrees and is located near a crosswalk allowing pedestrians to view the artwork as well. The artwork will sit on a landscaped median that is approximately 45 square meters, with a diameter of 7 meters and the surrounding landscaping includes medium and large boulders, wave berm and wildflower mix. There are no specific height requirements for this site.
Fees: The budget for this artwork, including all artist fees, materials, and travel costs, and the creation of a maintenance plan is $40,000. The artist fees should make up 45% - 65% of the budget.*
Site plans by Mills & Wright
Site 2: Arrivals/Short-Term Parking
This artwork sits directly outside the main Arrivals doors of the airport, adjacent to the sidewalk that forms the border between short-term parking and the drop-off/pick-up lanes. This work will be visible from 360 degrees, including from inside the airport, World Parkway, short-term parking and Airport Terminal Building (ATB). It may also be accessible by people moving to and from the airport, waiting for rides, airport employees on a break, etc. The artwork will sit on a concrete or flagstone surface that is approximately 5 square meters with a 2.5 meter diameter and will include benches, trees and picnic tables. There is no minimum height requirement, but artworks taller than five feet will have greater visibility from a distance. Works proposed for this site must be shorter than the adjacent covered walkway, which is approximately 6 meters high.
Fees: The budget for this artwork, including all artist fees, materials, and travel costs, and the creation of a maintenance plan, is $20,000. The artist fees should make up 50% - 70% of the budget.*
Site plans by Mills & Wright
Site 3: Short Term Exit
This artwork sits between the short-term and rental parking lots, adjacent to the sidewalk that forms the border between short-term and rental lots, and set against a covered concourse. This work will be visible from 360 degrees, including from the short-term exit lanes, and the short-term, Gold Pass, and rental parking lots. The artwork will sit on a landscaped median that is approximately 13 square meters with a 4 meter diameter and the surrounding landscaping will include a large boulder and new coniferous trees. There is no minimum height requirement, but artworks taller than five feet will have greater visibility from a distance.
Fees: The budget for this artwork, including all artist fees, materials, and travel costs, and the creation of a maintenance plan, is $20,000. The artist fees should make up 50% - 70% of the budget.*
Site plans by Mills & Wright
Budget
The total budget for the three components of this project is $80,000 CAD, excl. HST. This has been broken down to reflect the scale of opportunity at each site:
Site 1: Exit Plaza: $40,000
Site 2: ATB/Short-Term Parking: $20,000
Site 3: Short-Term Exit: $20,000
Click the button to download the fillable PDF budget template. The Budget Template was updated on December 20, 2024.
These budgets are intended to cover all fees and production costs associated with the creation and manufacture of each artwork, including artists' fees for individuals or teams of artists. However, the budget for the preparation of the site infrastructure will not be borne by the Artist.
Budgets are in Canadian dollars and exclude HST.
For further information about building budgets for public art projects, please refer to CARFAC’s Public Art Fees recommendations.
Eligibility
The opportunity is open to artists of all career stages. Artists without previous experience with large-scale public artworks should include a letter of reference to help demonstrate their ability to take on this new challenge. Projects by contemporary artists, collaborations between artists and researchers or collaborators (i.e. engineers, architects, etc) working in other disciplines relevant to the theme, are welcome and encouraged. Preference may be given to artists residing in or with connections to the province.
The Airport 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 proposal.
Selection Process
The artwork(s) for this project will be selected through a competitive open call process, guided by Business & Arts NL. Selection committee members will include artists/art professionals, community members and project representatives. Artists/Artist teams are invited to develop a proposal based on the provided project brief. Please read all components, site diagrams and the FAQ section of the call for proposals carefully before submitting. We strongly encourage applicants to attend the online public information session on December 17, 2024. You can register for that here.
Artists/artist teams are welcome to submit proposals for one, two or all three sites. Submissions of concepts that coordinate artworks between multiple sites are also welcome, however, each site requires its own application.
Submission Deadline: January 17, 2025
Potential supplementary Proposal Materials requested (TBD): January 31, 2025
Potential supplementary Proposal Materials due (TBD): February 14, 2025
Notification of Results: late February 2025
Assessment Criteria:
Proposals will be assessed based on the proposed project’s relevance, feasibility, and connection to the stated theme and the following criteria:
Artistic merit of project proposal, past work, professional qualifications, and experience
Demonstrates understanding of the opportunity to create a contemporary piece of public artwork that responds to one of the proposed themes
Examples of past work demonstrate artistic excellence, are relevant to the project objectives and demonstrate an ability and readiness to scale work into a public commission
A realistic budget and feasible workplan to execute a project of this scope and an ability to work collaboratively with the existing project team including project partners; manufacturing, technical, and installation contractors engaged to help realize a finished public artwork. Not all applicants will have had this previous work experience, so please highlight any comparable experiences.
Selected artworks will be durable, long-lasting, safe and low-maintenance
The proposed artworks should work in harmony with the site, surroundings, and landscaping
SJIAA is working to become a leader in environmental stewardship and welcomes submissions of artworks that embrace sustainability and inspire dialogue about a greener future.
The Selection Committee will score submissions in three broad categories:
Artistic Value (40%)
How does the project respond to the brief? Does it demonstrate an understanding of the opportunity to create a contemporary piece of public artwork that responds to one of the proposed themes? Do examples of past work demonstrate artistic excellence?
Impact (30%)
How will visitors, travellers, residents and staff experience the work? How will the submitted artwork work in harmony with the site, surroundings, and landscaping? How will this opportunity impact the artist’s career? What is the anticipated durability and longevity of the work?
Feasibility (30%)
Is the budget reasonable? Is the timeline feasible given the scope of the project, and the necessity to work collaboratively with the existing project team including project partners; manufacturing, technical, and installation contractors? Do the artist’s CV and other materials submitted demonstrate an ability and readiness to realize this project?
Submission Requirements
Request for Proposals
All applications must be submitted through this online form. The following application materials must be combined into a single PDF and uploaded to the online application form. PDFs must not exceed 10MB in total size. Please review our "How to Apply" section below for additional prompts/guidelines when preparing your submission.
Project and Applicant Information form, please complete the online application form found here.
Project Proposal (1 page or 500-750 words max), a detailed description of your project, please see the “How to Apply” section below for more information and prompts.
Concept & Design Mockup or Render (1-3 views) with technical specifications detailed
Annotated Portfolio/Images of previous work (max 10 images, add guidelines for video) that includes artwork title, date, media and dimensions.
Budget, please use this template and include it in your PDF package. Submissions in different formats will not be accepted.
CV – Artist resume (three pages maximum) For teams, submit a CV for each artist team member (3 pages maximum per member), or a combined CV if the team has an extensive history working together.
Brief Artist Bio (100 words max) For teams, submit a brief bio for each artist team member (100 words max per team member)
Basic Workplan, please refer to the timeline below for additional information when developing your workplan.
Professional References (optional) You may wish to provide a letter of reference from a professional acquaintance who can speak to your artistic practice and suitability for this project*.
Anonymous Survey Information (required) This form is to be completed by the Artist/Artist Team as part of your submission. Once completed, please screenshot the confirmation page and upload it to your submission form. The personal information collected on this form is anonymous and confidential. Your survey answers are not linked to your application in any way.
*Experience with permanent public projects is an asset, but not a requirement.
If necessary, an honorarium of $500 will be provided to artists/artist teams who are requested by the selection committee to develop additional materials about their proposed project. Supplementary materials will only be requested if the committee is strongly considering two applications for the same site and requires more details to make an informed decision.
Submissions are due by January 17, 2025 at 11:59 pm NST. All artists will be notified of the results in late February 2025. An online information session for the project will take place on December 17, 2024 at 10 am. Please register online here.
Questions? Please Contact: info@businessandartsnl.com
How to Apply
The following is additional information about the different components of your application:
Project Proposal (500-750 words max), please provide a detailed description of your project, and be sure to address the following elements:
Concept - This is the “what” and “why” of your proposal. For example:
What ideas or curiosities are motivating this project?
What are the aesthetic and/or conceptual details of the proposal?
How does the project relate to the brief?
Explain how visitors, travellers, residents and staff will experience the work
Logistical/Technical - This is the “how” of your proposal. For example:
Are there elements that require fabrication or building on-site?
Will there be video, audio or lighting equipment exposed to the elements?
Describe the durability and longevity of the proposed work
Qualifications and Experience
Describe your interest and why your art practice, relevant experience and ability make you well-suited for this project
If you are new to public artwork commissions please describe why you’re ready to take on this challenge and how your artistic process would inform your approach to this opportunity
Describe the nature of any planned collaborations
Brief Artists’ Biography – up to 100 words. For teams, submit a single document with a brief bio for each artist team member (100 words per team member).
Artist Resume/C.V. – (one per artist for teams, maximum 3 pages per C.V.)
A CV is a chronological overview of your artistic professional history and major achievements.
Things to include: contact information, education, exhibition history, grants and awards, and relevant professional experience.
Hamilton Arts Council has an excellent guide and links to additional resources about how to prepare a CV here on their website.
Annotated Portfolio/Images of previous work – Submit up to ten (10) images or links to video documentation of your artwork.
include the artwork title, date, media and dimensions
if including past examples of public artworks including the commissioner and location of the work
for video documentation please provide links to Vimeo, YouTube or your site and if necessary indicate the timestamp to start and stop viewing. Assessors will view up to a maximum of 2 minutes of footage.
Estimated project timeline (2024-2025)
The timeline is provided as a guideline and is subject to change.
November – December 2024
Public call opens: on December 2, 2024
Online information session about the project: December 17, 2024
January – March 2025
Deadline for applications: January 17, 2025
The selection committee meets to review applications: January 30, 2025
Supplementary Proposal Materials (if applicable): February 1-14, 2025
Notification of Results: late February 2025
March 2025 - May 2025
Design, creation, and fabrication of artwork: Ongoing
Artist/Client Consultation/progress report meeting 1: March, 2025
Artist Site visits: March, 2025
Site visit 2 (if applicable): May, 2025
Artist/Client Consultation/progress report meeting 2: May, 2025
Progress documentation by artists: Ongoing
June 2025 - July 2025
Installation of artwork on site: July 14-25, 2025 (pending construction schedule)
Public unveiling/opening event: July 31, 2025
FAQs
-
3D files aren’t available at this time, but the .dwg file (see bottom of this page to download) has contours and proposed elevations in 2-D.
Please note, any artists interested in using this file will need CAD or another software to be able to view this.
-
SJIAA have general wrap-liability and insurance specifically for the parking lot renovation. Therefore, no insurance requirements for artists.
-
The annotated portfolio is a concise document that showcases examples of your work to help illustrate your past projects and what your proposed project might eventually look like. We recommend having one image with the accompanying descriptive information (year made, medium, etc.) per page. All application materials (proposal, CV, portfolio, etc…) will be submitted as a single PDF file.
-
This budget likely isn’t large enough for some materials traditionally used in large, sculptural public art projects. We encourage you to consider alternative concepts and materials that allow for projects that meet the brief and also provide sufficient artist fees.
-
Unfortunately, no, this would make it hard to fairly evaluate competing submissions.
-
The Airport would like to see works that can survive at least 5-10 years before needing to be refurbished or replaced.
-
The airport has security personnel onsite 24/7 and thorough coverage of the entire property using video surveillance.
-
You can provide a refined sketch, using whatever medium you like; artists are not expected to buy/learn a new technological tool in order to submit.
This part of the proposal is a proof of concept - demonstrating how the work relates to the site information provided. At a bare minimum, you should have the dimensions of your proposed scale. Do your best to give as much detail as possible, which demonstrates that you’ve thought through the logistics, the scale, how this work is going to relate to the environment, how you hope and expect people to be interacting with this work spatially.
This doesn’t have to be the absolute final drawing of your concept - if you’re awarded the contract, this is when further refinement of your concept and the full work of preparing the project begins
-
Sorry, we’re awaiting confirmation from project partners on the response to this question.
-
No. A concrete base is not a requirement. Works should be designed to avoid theft and withstand a variety of weather conditions, but are not required to be erected on a concrete pad.
-
Given the budget constraints and the fact that all submissions are welcome to use the full value of the budget in each proposal, the only circumstance under which this would be possible is if an artist or artist group submitted a proposal encompassing all three artworks, and was selected to create all three.
-
The budget for this project is formatted such that travel expenses are considered part of the artists’ fees. Selected artists from outside the Avalon Peninusla are encouraged to apply for travel funding to offset these expenses and we will provide a letter of support for this.
-
References are not a mandatory requirement, but the option is there for artists who don’t have a public art portfolio but feel ready to take on a new challenge and can use references to help demonstrate their readiness to do so. If choosing to do so, please include no more than two.
-
In order to maximize production timelines for artists, our first choice is to select successful projects in a single selection process. However, we have allotted a small budget ($500 per project) and a brief timeline (~2 weeks) should it be necessary to ask some artists for clarification, additional information, further discussion etc.
-
No. Artists of all disciplines are welcome to apply, and multidisciplinary teams (for example, collaborating with designers, architects, engineers etc.) are more than welcome.
-
No, sorry, projects must be deliverable by July 2025.
-
The artist fee will be paid 50% upon signing a contract, 25% mid-production, and 25% upon delivery.
-
Absolutely.