CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Artscape Atelier invites artists to create a digital art piece to be displayed at Daniels FirstHome™ Keelesdale, a new residential community by The Daniels Corporation in partnership with DiamondCorp and Kilmer Group. Local art being procured and displayed in communal buildings is a great way for new residents moving into their neighbourhood to be introduced to the community and learn about local artist’s work, fostering a connection to one another and place.
Artscape Atelier is a social enterprise dedicated to creating opportunities for artists to meaningfully participate in city-building and shape vibrant and inclusive communities through site-specific public art, public realm and creative placemaking interventions.
Please read all the project details below before submitting HERE
Site Details
The Daniels Corporation (Daniels) is working in partnership with DiamondCorp and Kilmer Group to bring a vibrant, mixed-use community of housing, and community uses to the Keele and Eglinton area in Toronto.
Ideally located at Keele & Eglinton, Daniels FirstHome™ Keelesdale is a 12-acre master-planned community nestled in a ravine setting surrounded by beautiful active and passive outdoor spaces including a nature-themed public park, walking trails, and children’s playground. Just a 6-minute walk to the Eglinton LRT, this area is conveniently close to an abundance of lifestyle amenities and everyday essentials including Yorkdale Shopping Centre and the Castlefield Design District.
With a population of approximately 11,058, the Keelesdale-Eglinton West neighbourhood is made up of residents with diverse ethnic backgrounds including Portuguese, Italian, Filipino, East Indian and Jamaican, among many others. The area is home to many new Canadians, with 56.1% of the population identifying as immigrants/born outside of Canada.
The Keelesdale neighbourhood is generally understood to be located around the surrounding area of the main intersection of Keele and Eglinton and has been distinctly categorized by its winding roads and hilly landscape..
Made up of largely detached homes and low-rise apartment buildings, the neighbourhood is known for its slightly more affordable housing market and has as such become an area of choice for first-time buyers to settle down in the city. Considered to be an attractive community for families and seniors, many of the residents have lived in the neighbourhood for years or decades and have developed a strong sense of community. This particular development is geared towards young couples, growing families, singles and downsizers, and this is something that can be highlighted in the proposals.
Map outlining the Keelesdale-Eglington West Neighbourhood
Residents may be found hanging out at the Keelesdale Park, the York Recreation Centre, or the Evelyn Gregory public library. There are also numerous faith-based spaces throughout the neighbourhood including churches of various denominations, a mosque, and a buddist temple. The main strip in the neighbourhood along Eglinton West is home to various restaurants showcasing the area’s diverse cultural cuisine as well as a number of small businesses and non-profit organizations.
As part of the new Crosstown LRT system, Keelesdale Station is expected to open in 2021 at the intersection of Keele and Eglinton.
In the late 1990s the Humber River Hospital was formed through the amalgamation of three separate hospitals, York-Finch Hospital (the Finch site), Humber Memorial Hospital (the Church site), and Northwestern Hospital (the Keele site). Following relocation of the Humber River Hospital to a new main facility in 2015, the Keele site, which was built in 1950, closed down and was later acquired by The Daniels Humber River Corporation for residential development.
The site is in close proximity to both the upcoming LRT Keelesdale Station which will help connect the area to the rest of the city as well as the multiple parks including Woodborough Park which features a playground and basketball court and Keelesdale Park which features 7.9 hectares of space including a lighted ball diamond.
Thematic
It is recommended to find inspiration from the local community of Keelesdale (see community backgrounder on pages 1 & 2), by visiting the Daniels FirstHome™ Keelesdale website HERE, as well as browsing through the brochure HERE.
The artists should consider themes of home and connection and how to create a sense of this in their proposed digital art piece. Nature is extremely important to this site and the natural surrounding areas may serve as inspiration also. Artists should also strongly consider the interiors of this site where their work would be displayed if selected, which has a natural Scandinavian look and feel, so colourful artwork may add more interest.
Examples of Phase 1 lobby art that has already been selected and installed in 3 lobby buildings in this community & site can be found below for reference;
Artworks by Adrian Hayles; top left and right: Graphitiscape Series
Artworks by Indolestic; bottom left: KEELESDALE, bottom right: COLO(U)R
Artistic Medium
The artist is encouraged to respond to this call using their preferred approach, medium and aesthetics, as long as the final piece is able to be delivered as a high res digital file ready for printing.
The digital files will be printed onto either acrylic or metal to be hardwearing and low maintenance, however the artist will not have to organize this and is only responsible for creating their digital artwork at the sizes specified by Artscape. Artscape will then arrange to have the piece(s) printed on either acrylic or metal and installed at their expense.
Artists can submit existing pieces, as long as they fit within the thematic outlined above and can be printed within the size range noted below in Sizes section.
Colour
The colours of these artworks should take inspiration from the surrounding natural area and interiors of this space where their work would be displayed if selected, which has a natural Scandinavian look and feel. The amenity building will be a pretty neutral palette with both finishes and furniture. It would be great to see artwork with colour and movement to add interest and contrast to the space.
Sizes
The artworks will range from sizes; 24”x36” all the way up to 60”x60”, which is dependent on the room/lobby their work is selected to be displayed. The selected artists will only be asked to send the digital print ready files of their work and will be informed of the exact size needed when selected and contracted.
Eligibility
This is an open call for artists residing in Toronto, preferably with a connection to the Keelesdale-Eglinton West community, however all artists who apply will be considered.
Priority will be given to artists who self-identify as:
Having a connection to the Keelesdale community, Emerging & mid-career artists, Diverse individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups including but not limited to members of visible minority groups, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and LGBTQ2S+ communities.
Up to 10 artists will be selected for this project, with artwork being displayed in different areas of the building(s) and selected artists will be assigned specific dimensional and site specific details after they have been selected for this project.
An artist may be asked to create more than one digital file/series and will be paid accordingly (per the piece price in the budget below).
Budget
The total artists budget for this project is approximately $1,000 – 1,500 per piece (depending on size of artwork(s) asked for per artist) + HST (CAD) and is inclusive of artist fees, project meetings, concept development, purchase of relevant materials, fabrication, delivery and documentation rights of the completed digital artwork file only.
Artscape Atelier is responsible for organizing and paying for the printing and installation of the works and any associated plaque costs
Selection Process
Artists who submit to this art call will be reviewed by Artscape and The Daniels Humber River Corporation team, to select up to 10 artist(s) for this project. Artist(s) should send either an initial idea/concept sketch to portray their initial idea for review and/or already available digitized pieces ready for printing, before an artist is selected to create their final piece/file.
The jury will evaluate artists based on:
- Artistic excellence and merit of artist(s) past work and current concept
- Strength and imagination of past work and current concept
- Demonstrated ability of artist(s) to execute past projects within budget and timelines
Following the Jury meeting, the Jury, The Daniels Humber River Corporation and Artscape Atelier will select an artist(s) for commission. Artist(s) will develop their concept in collaboration with the curatorial team at Artscape Atelier, and project team at The Daniels Humber River Corporation. Artscape Atelier and The Daniels Humber River Corporation reserves the right to select and retain the artist deemed most appropriate for the project at their sole discretion.
Anticipated Schedule
Open Art Call Launches: July 13th, 2023 (open for 4 weeks)
Art Call Closes: August 10th, 2023
Jury Selects Artists: August 14th – August 23rd (2 weeks), 2023
Selected Artists Notified & Contracted: Week of September 4th, 2023
Kick Off Meeting/launch of project: Week of September 11th, 2023
Artists Submit their final print ready design files for confirmation: Mid November, 2023 (approx. 2
months)
Pieces printed (up to x10 pieces): Phase 2 and Phase 3 pieces installed in Spring 2024 (approx.March-April 2024) organized by Artscape and subject to any building/occupancy delays.
Copyright
Copyright of the artwork will continue to be owned by the Artist, however fee must include granting Daniels and Artscape permission to photograph or film and reproduce, use, exhibit, display, broadcast and distribute and create derivative works of these images or videos’ image in any media now known or later developed. The image/s may also be incorporated into the print and/or online marketing brochures to be distributed to real estate agents and prospective purchasers. Additionally, the image(s) may be incorporated into lobby renderings shared on social media, the Daniels website, Artscape website, the project microsite, display renderings or other communications.
Terms and Conditions
Artscape Atelier (the “Organization”), at its sole discretion, may request clarifications or request additional information, as deemed necessary to evaluate the submissions. The Organization
retains the sole discretion to determine whether a submission is responsive and if the
prospective Artist or Artist Team is capable of performing the Work. The Organization reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine the number of pre-qualified Artists or Artist Teams. The Organization reserves the right to not proceed with awarding a contract.
Additional Information
For additional information or questions, please contact Kyla Radoja, Public Art & Partners Manager at Artscape Atelier: kradoja@artscape.ca.
