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Artist Calls

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Artist-Initiated Projects

The City of Oshawa is excited to launch an open call for artist-initiated projects. We are accepting proposals from artists, collectives and arts groups for all manner of artistic projects, including installations, exhibitions, performances, workshops and temporary public art.

This is an opportunity for artists to submit creative project proposals; artists are encouraged to think outside the box and propose projects they are interested in presenting within Oshawa. Artworks will be presented or installed within Oshawa city limits between July and December 2023.

A virtual information session will take place on Thursday, March 16 at 6 p.m. Please email [email protected] to register.

Eligibility

The City of Oshawa invites applications from artists at all stages of their career, including emerging, mid-career and established individual artists, as well as from collectives and arts groups. Artists do not need to be working professionally full time in the arts and culture field.

Artists, or the lead applicant if applying on behalf of a collective, must live in or have a significant biographical connection to Oshawa (including work in, have been born in, attended school in or previously lived in). Arts groups must be based in Oshawa.

Applications are being accepted in a wide range of artistic disciplines, including dance, literature, media art, multidisciplinary art, music, theatre and visual art (as defined by the Ontario Arts Council).

The lead applicant must be 18 years of age or older.

Budget

Artists can apply for projects with budgets ranging from $100.00 to $4,000.00.

Please refer to our Budget Tips document for guidance on developing your budget.

Deadline

Applications are due on or before Friday, March 31, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.

Project Objectives

Each year the City of Oshawa is proud to offer arts, culture, and heritage programming in alignment with Oshawa's Cultural Strategic Plan, Culture Counts: Oshawa's Arts, Culture & Heritage Plan.

We are excited to present our first ever artist-initiated open call in 2023. This program provides increased support for artists, collectives and arts groups by providing the opportunity for the arts, culture and heritage community to propose unique project ideas. Projects selected through this call will:

  • Demonstrate artistic excellence;
  • Engage the wider public through the delivery of compelling, unique, and meaningful artistic experiences;
  • Activate outdoor or indoor public spaces and strengthen the community through creative placemaking; and
  • Showcase Oshawa’s incredible artistic talent across a diversity of artistic styles and disciplines.

Application Streams

Applications are being accepted in two streams:

Stream 1: Artist Projects

  • Projects should be short term, lasting from a few hours to a maximum of seven days.
  • Examples include workshops, performances, temporary installations, digital projections/projects, interactive installations, sound/light installations, etc.

Stream 2: Temporary Public Artworks

  • Accepting applications of proposals for temporary public artworks, which will be exhibited for up to three years.
  • Examples of temporary public artworks include temporary installations, environmental art/land art, temporary sculptures, etc.

How to Apply

Please review the application package and fill in the online application form for the relevant project stream.

Stream 1: Artist Projects

Stream 2: Temporary Public Artworks

If you have any questions about applying, or require accommodations to participate in this process, please contact [email protected].

We are happy to provide support and advice related to the application to make this call as accessible as possible to applicants.

All applicants will be sent an email following their submission to notify them that their submission was received. If you have not received an email within 48 hours of your submission, please contact [email protected]. 

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Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7

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