City seeks artists for new public art project

The City of Oshawa is excited to announce its first independent public sculpture commission. The artwork, commissioned as part of the City’s Centennial celebrations, will be installed in the upcoming Downtown Oshawa Urban Square at the intersection of Bond Street East and Simcoe Street North, in the heart of downtown Oshawa.

The park and artwork reflect the City’s commitment and desire to connect and engage with the community by transforming the spaces where people live, work, learn and play into vibrant, inviting and meaningful public places.

The City aims to support and celebrate Canadian talent by commissioning its first public sculpture. It also hopes to engage the community and contribute to the overall appeal of our city centre.

The City’s Public Art Task Force and a Public Art Jury formed for this project will guide the two-stage selection process. The public will have the opportunity to meet the artists and provide feedback on their proposals later this year.

The budget for the artwork, including artist fees, engineering, materials and installation is $145,000. Applications are due on or before March 4, 2024 at 11:30 p.m. For more information about the public sculpture commission, visit Oshawa.ca/ArtistCalls.

Through the implementation of the Public Art Master Plan, the City of Oshawa provides active leadership and guidance in fostering a strong visual legacy through the creation and inclusion of art in its public buildings and spaces. This project supports the Culture Counts: Arts, Culture, and Heritage Plan, the Public Art Master Plan, and Plan 20Thirty, Oshawa’s new downtown revitalization plan, by contributing to a lively and modern urban centre in the heart of the city.

2024 marks the 100^th anniversary since Oshawa received City status. The Centennial will be celebrated throughout the year with numerous events and initiatives. For more information about the Centennial, visit Oshawa.ca/100.

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