Calls for Artists
Transitions: Civic Square Hoarding Project
City Hall, Burlington, Ontario
Deadline: May 22, 2026
Award: $400 CAD | 21 commissions available
Artist Opportunity
The City of Burlington is presenting Transitions: Civic Square Hoarding Project, a temporary artwork series to be installed on construction hoarding during the Civic Square Renewal project. This initiative will feature up to 21 artists and writers, showcasing existing works that engage with the theme of transition in diverse and creative ways.
Transitions invites works that reflect on the present moment, consider changes underway, or imagine possibilities ahead. Through this project, construction hoarding will be reimagined as a space for artistic expression, fostering community connection, and celebrating the breadth of local talent.
This call is open to emerging, mid-career, and established Burlington-based visual artists art teams or writers, as well as artists, artist teams and writers at all career stages that are members of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation or Six Nations of the Grand River, regardless of current residency.
The Civic Square Hoarding project welcomes all art forms that can be presented in a signage format, including but is not limited to visual art, graphic art, illustration, photography, poetry, short story, non-fiction, etc. Photographs of three-dimensional artistic works such as sculpture, fashion and craft may also be submitted. Artists may submit existing work.
Important! Please download and read the full Call to Artists document as this contains important project information.
Applications must include the following:
- Artwork Statement: Please provide a brief statement (maximum 150 words) outlining your artwork.
- Artwork or Writing Submission:
- Visual Art Submission: You may submit an existing artwork for consideration. Artwork can include visual art, photography, digital illustration, photography of artistic work such as sculpture, craft, etc.
OR
- Writing Submission: Submissions must be a maximum of 150 words. Submissions may be from existing work. It may be a stand-alone piece such as a poem or short story or an excerpt from a larger piece.
3. Artist Biography: Please provide a short (maximum 50 words) artist biography written in the third person. This biography may be included on the City’s website if your artwork is selected.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To use the online application, you will need to create a free account for the online application system Submittable. Please click on the ‘Click here to Submit’ button below to start your application.
Questions? We are Here to Help!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, need support using the online application system or require accommodation in the application process.
Olivia Hope
Advisor, Cultural Programs
Recreation, Community & Culture
City of Burlington
T: 289-208-4699
E: publicart@burlington.ca
Request for Expressions of Interest
The Alton Terrace Reimagined
Alton Community Centre, Burlington, Ontario
Deadline: Friday May 15, 2026
Budget: $50,000 CAD
To mark the renaming of the Alton Community Centre (3040 Tim Dobbie Dr., Burlington, ON), the City of Burlington invites professional artists and artist teams to envision an immersive public artwork that celebrates civic identity, collective memory, and community life. This commission seeks to reimagine the Centre not only as a physical destination, but as a living symbol of connection, creativity, and belonging within the Alton neighbourhood.
Alton Terrace Reimagined presents a unique opportunity for artists to shape an urban space in transition. The City is seeking bold and imaginative proposals that weave together artistic expression and functional design, transforming the terrace into a welcoming and dynamic gathering place. Proposals should invite participation, spark curiosity, and foster meaningful connections across generations and cultures, while thoughtfully responding to the site’s histories and character.
This Call to Artists is open to artists working across a wide range of styles and mediums who are inspired to create work that reflects the spirit of Alton and contributes to a shared vision of a vibrant, inclusive public realm.
Conceptual drawings are not required at this time. Applicants are asked to submit a high-level proposal outlining their approach to the project. The selected artist will develop a detailed design and community engagement plan in consultation with staff and the selection panel.
Important! Please download and read the full Call to Artists document as this contains important project information.
Download the Call to Artist document (pdf):
Alton Terrace Reimagined EOI – FINAL
Applications must include the following:
1. Expression of Interest Statement:
A high-level statement outlining your interest in this project. Please include the following:
- Describe your artistic practice and why you are interested in this opportunity.
- Please outline any relevant experience or qualifications relating to community engagement or education.
- A high-level outline of your proposed approach to community engagement for this project.
- A high-level description of your proposed design (i.e., your preliminary thoughts on how you would approach the project and how this connects to your artistic practice).
- Please note, design sketches are not required.
2. Biography: A short biography outlining the relevant interests, experiences and qualification of the artist(s). 250 words maximum.
3. Curriculum Vitae (Artist Resume): Outline recent qualifications and artistic activities. If applying as part of a team / artist collective, please submit one consolidated C.V. Four pages maximum.
4. Artwork Samples: Submit up to ten (10) images of your past artwork which best illustrates a related body of artwork to the proposal.
5. Image List: A numbered list that corresponds to the Artwork Samples. Please include the following: title, date, materials, dimensions, locations, commissioning agent or client and budget (if applicable).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To use the online application, you will need to create a free account for the online application system Submittable. Please click on the ‘Click here to Submit’ button below to start your application.
Questions? We are Here to Help!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, need support using the online application system or require accommodation in the application process.
Olivia Hope
Advisor, Cultural Programs
Recreation, Community & Culture
City of Burlington
T: 289-208-4699
E: publicart@burlington.ca
burlingtonpublicart.com 