Post date: July 23, 2025

Application deadline: August 20, 2025 at 12 p.m.

Are you an artist located in Durham Region (or with a strong connection to Durham Region) interested in gaining public art experience?

Durham Region will be awarding five (5) artists with commissions for their digital designs and installing their artwork on Durham Region Transit bus shelters to enhance the transit experience. This is a paid opportunity to expand your public art portfolio!

About the opportunity

Number of Artists Selected: 5

Artist Qualifications: Artists must have a connection to Durham Region (this includes Indigenous peoples, current and former residents, etc.).

Details of the opportunity: The selected works will be printed on an opaque film that will be adhered to the glass on the back wall. The design will be visible from both inside and behind the shelter. Designs should be active, dense and have limited negative space. Bright colours are encouraged, and imagery must be community friendly. Artwork can be created in any medium however, the top five artists will be responsible for any costs associated with submitting the final design as a high resolution digital file.

Budget/Artists Fee: The awarded artists will be compensated $650 for their digital designs which may be reproduced two (2) times by the Region. This is the total amount available for all related expenses of this public art project including, but not limited to: artist fees, all applicable taxes, and an artist statement for the completed work. All costs associated with production and installation will be covered by the Region.

Selection criteria: When evaluating artwork proposals, the Selection Committee will consider the vibrancy, artist statement and description of the work, the work's artistic excellence and the work's ability to fit the shelter.

Selection process: Artists are informed of the specifics of the project through the Call to Artists. Artists are invited to submit an artist statement, their biography/CV and design. Only selected artists will receive an artist fee.

Durham Region reserves the right to select and retain artists deemed most appropriate for the project at its sole discretion.

Proposal Requirements:

• An artist statement describing your interest in this project and a description of your work (300 words maximum).
• Your proposed design (photos, sketches, etc. accepted). Transit shelters come in several sizes. Artists will be informed what size shelter their work will be installed on if selected. Standard shelters are typically 114" wide by 81" tall or 100.5" wide by 81" tall.
• CV and/or portfolio of relevant work. 10-pages maximum. Links to online portfolios are accepted.
• The rear wall of the shelter consists of two glass panels. A two-inch safety margin should be included in your design. Do not place important text or artwork in this area as it may be cropped. Do not include bleeds or crops in your artwork. If selected, final artwork must be submitted at 300 dpi.

The Heart of Durham (2024)
Andrea MichelKey dates:

• Call for artists issued: July 23
• Application deadline: August 20
• Selected artists notified: August 26
• Final design submission: September 2

*Schedule is subject to change

Accessibility Notice

Artists who require accommodations or who need support applying for this opportunity are encouraged to contact us at least one week before the application deadline to allow Durham Region to ensure an accessible process.

Contact

If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Caitlin Rochon, Manager, Corporate Initiatives at art@durham.ca or by calling 311.

Apply now!