Public art opportunities

The Indigenous Public Art Program needs a new logo. Indigenous designers are invited by the City of Calgary Indigenous Public Art Program to submit examples of previous works as part of the selection process. Three short-listed applicants will be paid to create a solidified concept and present it to the team. From here, one person will be selected to fully realize their design concept and proceed to create the logo and accompanying illustrated graphics for the program.

Experienced Indigenous designers are encouraged to apply; however, Indigenous artists and illustrators familiar with design are also welcome to submit an application. This opportunity is open to Indigenous people who are from or reside in Treaty 7 and Métis Districts 5 and 6. Teams are not eligible to apply.

Submit all questions in writing to indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca or via phone at 403-268-2994 before 4:29 p.m. MST on May 15, 2025.

This project will:

• Develop a unique and recognizable logo for the Indigenous Public Art Program
• Give experience to Indigenous creatives seeking creative design opportunities
• Reflect the diverse Indigenous groups that make up Treaty 7 territory
• Foster community through design

Free online and in-person information sessions are available for those interested in applying. Dates and times will be listed on our website. Attendance is not mandatory in order to qualify for this opportunity.

Three short-listed designers will receive an all-inclusive, maximum budget of $1,000 CDN (not including GST) to develop a concept and preliminary research for their logo design.

One successful applicant will receive an all-inclusive, maximum budget of $2,000 – $3,000 CDN (not including GST) to complete the logo design and accompanying illustrated graphics (see full details below under the section “Final Deliverables”).

The total budget includes but is not limited to the copyright of the final deliverables, design fees, supplies and materials, consultation, designers' time for public engagement, travel, insurance, and studio fees.

The designer is responsible for the project budget and will be paid based on deliverables per their Scope & Fee Agreement.

Three participants will be selected from the initial submission process to develop a concept for their logo design and accompanying illustrated graphics. Selected designers will need to complete the following:

• Concept designs for the logo as well as accompanying illustrated graphics (including but not limited to sketches, colour pallet, type)
• Preliminary research element that outlines the reasoning for design choices (short written component)
• Presentation of the idea to the Indigenous Public Art Team for further evaluation

One participant will be selected to fully realize their design concept, including but not limited to the following:

• Revised concept designs
• Finalized logo design and appropriate variations
• Illustrated graphics (minimum of three)
• Style guide
• Design statement

*An in-depth list of details regarding the final deliverables for both stages will be provided to participants upon the successful qualification.

The City of Calgary will own the copyright to the agreed upon final deliverables produced for this project by the final selected applicant as per The City of Calgary's general terms and conditions. The City of Calgary, at their discretion, may use the final deliverables indefinitely for commercial and non-commercial purposes with credit to the creator where deemed appropriate by The City of Calgary.

Eligible submissions will contain:

1. Letter/email of interest (maximum of 1500 words) including:
   • Verifiable Indigenous Nation affiliation
   • Description of your design practice
   • Applicable experience
   • Your interest in the project
   • Your connection to the Treaty 7 and Métis 5/6 areas
   • Contact information (phone number, alternate number, and email address)

* Your submission will be rated out of 100 points as outlined in the evaluation criteria below.

2. Up to 10 images of sample work. Ensure your images provide clear and complete views of previous work, with digital scans preferred.
3. Image list with a brief description of previous work, title and date of each work, and information on project partners where applicable.
4. Three references including contact name, company, current telephone number, address, and email address. You may use Elders and community members familiar with your work.

*The City reserves the right to contact references without prior notification.
*References from The City of Calgary staff members will not be counted as part of the required references.
*Please note that design concepts (proposals for what your final art will look like) are NOT required for the qualifications stage.

Email indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca and attach all the required documents. Submissions are accepted in electronic form only.

Please note the following:

• Email subject line should include “Indigenous Public Art Logo Callout Application”
• The maximum file size for an email is 10 MB. You may submit multiple emails to ensure all files are received.
• Links to video work and/or video documentation are accepted.
• Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

All eligible submissions are reviewed by a selection panel consisting of City of Calgary Public Art team Members and is stewarded by City business unit representative(s).

Designers may be invited to an in-person or online interview with the selection panel.

Submissions will be rated out of a possible 100 points according to the evaluation criteria below.

*The selection panel has the right to not award any of the submissions, and The City reserves the right to cancel/reissue this opportunity at any time.

1. Understanding of the project <40 points>
   • Why this opportunity appeals to the designer.
   • How the designer’s Indigenous background and practice will contribute to this project.
   • Knowledge of or connection to the Treaty 7 area and Metis Nation Region 3
   • Understanding of the project's context in the community both online and in-person.
2. Design experience <40 points>
   • Demonstrated a strong understanding of creative and accessible design.
   • Familiar with research for design (this can be based on Indigenous traditional knowledge and experiences – where does your inspiration come from and how does it influence your design choices?
   • Demonstrated flexibility of practice and responsiveness to feedback.
3. Project experience <20 points>
   • Experience working to a schedule and demonstrated ability to deliver a project on time.
   • Demonstrated ability to meet a set budget and deliver a project on budget.
   • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with project teams and other interested parties and engage with the public.

To ensure the public art project meets project goals, as well as the requirements of the Public Art Program, the selected applicant will be required to work closely throughout the project with Public Art Program staff as well as other stakeholders.

Before the confirmation of the award, the selected participant will be required to:

• Provide verification of Indigenous ancestry.
• Complete a Scope & Fee Agreement contract defining project deliverables and payment schedule.
• Sign a City of Calgary Scope & Fee Agreement, which includes General Terms and Conditions.

The commissioner for this project is:

The City of Calgary
Box 2100, Station M, Calgary, AB, Canada T2P 2M5
Mail code #63

• There will not be any public opening of submissions.
• There is no cost to the applicant to provide a submission.
• Submissions must currently be provided in English.