Art Calls

The TIP 20 construction project on Bow Valley Trail and Railway Avenue has offered an opportunity to install 32 project-themed banners on lampposts. The multi-modal intersection design is one the first in North America and invites walkers, riders, drivers and transit uses safe access and an improved visual gateway into Canmore. The theme for the banners in this area is “multi modal transportation”.

The downtown banners have reached the end of their lifespan and are in need of replacement offering the second opportunity for artists and designers. The theme for the downtown banners is “who are we?”

The banners will be digitally printed on high tenacity nylon. The selected image(s) will be printed on both sides of the banner. The design should avoid small complicated details that are not visible from a distance.

The Locations:

For this project two distinct banner locations have been selected.

1. Downtown banners on Main Street and 10 Street between 6 and 8 Avenues, as well 6 and 7 Avenue between 6 Street and 10 Street.
2. Bow Valley Trail at Railway Avenue 

All submissions must adhere to the following design parameters:

• The artwork must be an original piece; however, previous works may be adapted in a new and unique way
• Submissions must be original artwork  
• The design may be representational or abstract, but it must comply with the competition objectives and themes and be reflective of Canmore.
• One design will be selected for each of the two locations - each design can be submitted with several different colour variations.
• Up to two artists may be selected for this project, or the same artist/designer can be selected in both theme categories
• The creativity, quality and style demonstrated in preliminary design concepts should translate into the development of high quality final banner designs.
• All designs must be two-dimensional and may not involve the attachment of any object to the banner
• Artwork must be of scale and proportions appropriate to the banner. 
• Designs must not contain any text. 
• Designs must not contain any representations of traffic lights, signs, or signals; nor should it contain advertisements for any business, product, or viewpoint. In addition, designs may not include any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, images of illegal activity.

Commission: The total artist fee budget for the commission is $1500 CAD (+GST) for each banner design. 

Original Work: The artist(s) must guarantee that the artwork is original and does not violate the copyright of any other person; however, previous works created by the applicant may be adapted in a new and unique way.

Contract: The artist(s) will enter into a contract with the Town of Canmore.

Copyright: The artist(s) must be prepared to assign License to Copyright for the exhibition of the artwork to The Town of Canmore. Reproduction rights may be negotiated. The artist may retain the right to be identified as the creator of the artwork. 

Selection Process

The commissioned artwork will be chosen through a single-stage artwork selection process.

The Selection Committee will consider the following:

• Quality and visual impact of the artwork
• Confidence that creativity, quality and style demonstrated in the preliminary design concepts will translate into the development of high quality, final banner designs
• Compliance with the competition requirements, objectives and themes
• That the design captures the essence of the diverse passions of the Canmore community
• Appropriateness of the design

The Selection Committee will choose up to three designs in each theme category and the Canmore community will make the final selection through an on-line voting process.

The Selection Committee

The Selection Committee will be composed of artists, community representatives, business representatives and Town of Canmore staff. The Selection Committee is under no obligation to choose any finalists. All decisions of the Selection Committee are final.

Communication with the Selection Committee

The Town of Canmore Arts & Events Department will be responsible for all communication, either verbally or written, between artists making submissions and members of the Selection Committee. Any communication between applicants and Selection Committee members regarding submissions or the competition may result in disqualification. 

LETTER OF INTENT - One (1) page maximum

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIO - One (1) page maximum

VISUAL DOCUMENTATION - A maximum of three (3) designs that best fit the Artwork Design Parameters.

**IMPORTANT** Please do not include any personal identifiers on your visual documentation

While every precaution will be taken to prevent loss or damage, the Selection Committee, the Town of Canmore and their agents shall not be liable for any loss or damage, however caused.