Late Deputy Mayor Pam McConnell is seen at the reopening of the revitalized Regent Park. Photo courtesy of the McConnell Family.

CITY OF TORONTO
CALL TO ARTISTS – REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
PERMANENT PUBLIC ART WORK FOR THE PAM McCONNELL MEMORIAL

Submission Deadline: August 16, 2021 at 4 p.m.

Project Overview

The City of Toronto invites professional artists (including artist teams) to submit proposals for an outdoor three-dimensional sculptural public artwork that captures the likeness of the late Deputy Mayor Pam McConnell and has an element of engagement and accessibility with the viewer.

The commemorative artwork is to highlight the outstanding contributions of the former teacher, public servant and political leader, whose dedication to community and social justice facilitated solutions to many challenges facing lower-income communities, such as child poverty and hunger, literacy, homelessness and affordable housing.

The art component of this new public space will be selected through an open, one-stage competition, with a net budget of approximately $250,000 (+HST). The project budget includes all costs directly associated with the artwork: all fees for design, fabrication, installation, engineering and professional services, insurance, travel and other incidental expenses.

Ward 13 – Toronto Centre

Public Art Opportunity

The City of Toronto’s new Public Art Strategy outlines the City’s commitment to public art created for, and with the input of, Toronto communities, and to create opportunities for artists of diverse backgrounds, experience and practice.

The primary site for artists to consider is the Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre, located at 640 Dundas Street East (at the corner of Sumach Street) in Regent Park. The site will be described in detail in the Terms of Reference.

The commissioned artist or artist teams will work closely with the City’s Economic Development and Culture division, in collaboration with Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and other partners to develop and complete the project.

Competition Process

This is a one-stage, open, competition for professional artists or artist teams residing and working in the province of Ontario, with emphasis on artists with specific connections to Toronto. Submissions from women, Indigenous, Black, and racialized artists and those who may not have previously worked in the public realm are especially welcome.

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

• has specialized artistic training (not necessarily in academic institutions)
• is recognized as a professional by their peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition)
• has a history of public exhibitions
• has produced an independent body of work

A specially convened selection panel, composed of practicing arts professionals, community members and a McConnell family representative will be established for this one-stage competition.

Stage 1: Request for Proposals

Professional artists are invited to submit proposals to be reviewed by the selection panel. The panel will select one proposal to be executed, based on artistic excellence and the proposal’s suitability to the overall design scheme and context.

The contract will be awarded in September/October 2021.

ArtworxTO, the City’s Year of Public Art, begins in fall 2021 as part of the City’s commitment to artists and art as part of COVID-19 recovery. All new commissions will be included in the ArtworkTO program wherever possible.

Timelines

August 10, 2021, 4 p.m.: Last day for questions to be submitted
August 16, 2021, 4 p.m.: Request for Proposals submissions due
August 30, 2021: Selection panel meeting
September 2021: Notification to competition artists of finalist artist (artist team) selected
September/October 2021: Contract awarded to finalist artist (artist team)
Fall 2021 – Spring 2022: Artwork production phase; site preparation; transportation to site; installation.
July 2022: Official public unveiling of the Pam McConnell Memorial

Submission Requirements

Professional artists (artist teams) are invited to respond to by submitting two PDF documents, with the following information:

One PDF file labelled: Last Name First Name_file 1_Pam McConnell

• Written proposal concept, maximum three pages.
• Proposal concept sketches, renderings, design details, a plan to show location.
• Details on proposed materials and any other relevant information to explain the proposed project.
• A preliminary budget outlining critical costs such as production/fabrication, professional fees, such as engineering drawings, etc., transportation and installation.

One PDF file labelled: Last Name First Name_file 2_Pam McConnell

• CV (one for each team member, if applicable).
• Names and contact information for two references (preferably from recent projects).
• Maximum ten images of previous and relevant work, with caption including title, materials, dimensions, location, and commissioning body (if applicable).

The PDF applications must be labelled with the name of the artist and project as noted above.

The documents should be emailed to publicartcompetitions@toronto.ca with subject line: “Last Name First Name_file 1_Pam McConnell” and “Last Name First Name_file 2_Pam McConnell” and should not exceed 20 MB total size per email.

The submission deadline is 4 p.m., August 16, 2021. Late submissions will not be accepted.