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“Indigenous trails and pathways, movement and travel, meeting place and convergence, storied land and layered histories, relationships and coexistence”
The City of St. Catharines seeks Expressions of Interest from Indigenous artists and Indigenous-led teams to create a site-specific, permanent public artwork for Five Corners parkette — a historically significant convergence of Indigenous trail systems at the intersection of St. Paul Street, Geneva Street, Queenston Street, and Niagara Street. Artists are invited to respond to themes of Indigenous trails and pathways, movement and travel, meeting place and convergence, storied land and layered histories, and relationships and coexistence. The work should engage meaningfully with the histories of the land including the presence and knowledge systems of the Neutral Nation Confederacy, the Anishinaabek, and the Haudenosaunee, and the continuing significance of agreements such as the Dish With One Spoon and the Great Peace of Montréal. The selected artist/team will develop a site-responsive artwork, engage with community including Indigenous community members, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers, and fabricate and install the final work. The artwork will become part of the City of St. Catharines Civic Art Collection. The project is developed in collaboration with the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations (NAIR), which provides curatorial guidance and cultural advisory support throughout the process.
Geographic Eligibility
Eligible Countries
Disciplines
Applicant Type
Individual artists and collectives
Additional Requirements
Up to 10 works
Overview
$140,000 CAD + HST total commission inclusive of artist fees, design, fabrication, materials, engineering, transportation, and installation. $2,000 CAD + HST honorarium for each shortlisted artist/team in Stage 2.
Amount
CA$140,000 - CA$140,000
Includes
Detailed Breakdown
Total commission of $140,000 + HST, inclusive of artist fees, design, fabrication, materials, engineering (if required), transportation, and installation. Each shortlisted Stage 2 artist/team receives a $2,000 + HST honorarium.
Two-stage competition. Stage 1: open EOI, Selection Committee shortlists up to three artists/teams based on qualifications only (no concept proposal required). Stage 2 (by invitation): shortlisted artists develop detailed concept proposals and present to the Selection Committee; one artist/team is selected for commission.
Evaluation Criteria
Opens
May 27, 2026
Deadline
July 13, 2026
Statement of Interest (max. 2 pages), Artist Statement & Bio (max. 1 page), CV/Resume (max. 3 pages), Portfolio (max. 10 images with image list), Two references. Format: PDF preferred (or accessible cloud link).
Note
Open to professional Indigenous artists (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) residing in Canada, and Indigenous-led teams (must identify an Indigenous lead artist). The City may request confirmation of Indigenous identity/affiliation and/or the Indigenous lead role as part of due diligence. Artists should demonstrate experience in original artistic practice, a track record of presenting work publicly, and capacity to complete a project of this scale.
Accessibility
Accommodation and alternative submission formats are available upon request. Contact culture@stcatharines.ca.
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