For the new Airdrie Multi-Use Facility & Library, the City of Airdrie is requesting the assistance of artists from all around Canada to help produce public art that is unique to the city.

With a total budget of about $390,000, the public artworks will be chosen through an open, two-stage nationwide competition.

All expenditures directly related to the artwork are included in the project budget, including those for engineering, professional services, shipping, installation, design, fabrication, insurance, permits, travel, and other incidental and production costs.

Following a shortlisting process, up to four artists or artist teams will receive $4000 each to produce comprehensive ideas. The chosen artist or artist team will be required to participate in community outreach.

The City of Airdrie has identified themes for artists to consider as they prepare their applications. These themes could act as inspiration for the art pieces:

  • Natural features of Airdrie and/or the facility site (Nose Creek Park, the Valley, the Prairies, the big open sky, etc)
  • Reflections of local Indigenous histories/contemporary culture
  • Rural farming history/agricultural origins
  • Railroad history

It is necessary to have prior experience engaging communities and to have a passion for creating artwork for public spaces.

For this public art competition, two locations have been identified: one internal (the atrium, where suspended artwork will be shown) and one outside (in the rear Westend of the building within the plaza). It will be expected of the chosen artist to create public art in both of these locations. These two locations offer excellent visibility, impact, community involvement, and best fit with the natural flow of the building.

Per the Canada Council’s guidelines, a professional artist is defined as someone who:

  • has specialized artistic training (not necessarily in academic institutions);
  • is critically recognized as a professional by their peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition);
  • is active in and committed to their art practice;
  • has a history of public exhibitions; and/or
  • has produced an independent body of work.

Members of the community, city leaders, and working professionals in the arts will make up the Selection Panel.

The Airdrie Multi-Use Facility & Library is expected to be completed in 2025.

To apply, click HERE. Submissions must be received by January 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

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