Led by Toronto Community Housing, the Regent Park Revitalization is a six phase, 15 year, $1 billion strategy that will transform Canada's largest publicly funded community into a healthier mixed residential community that serves as a world leading model for sustainability and community integration.

As part of Phase Two, state of the art facilities for residents, community groups and neighbours, including an aquatic centre and large central park are featured in the design.

Toronto Cultural Services is therefore seeking to commission artworks to be created as part of this development to be completed for fall 2011.

Given the rich social and cultural history and diversity of Regent Park, the artistic opportunities presented will address themes reflected and inspired by the past and present realities of the community.

Artists interested in responding to the Expression of Interest (EOI) must be prepared to consider the challenge and importance of working closely with the Regent Park community and its creative interests. This may take the form of on site community workshops involving organizations such as ArtHeart and Focus Youth Media Arts, to inform the development of artistic content.

This open call for artists will focus on exterior art possibilities of the Central Park site, located between Dundas Street East and Oak Street, bound by Sackville Street to the west and Sumach Street to the east.

Working in co-operation with landscape architects The Planning Partnership, the art budget is $200,000 which includes all fabrication, installation costs and fees.

Integration of the public art within the custom design of a functional piece and within the engineering/landscape design elements also provide resources beyond the core budget.

Toronto Cultural Services is inviting local and national Artists or Artist Teams to submit:
+Resume
+6-8 visuals of recent, relevant work**
+Artist's statement outlining interest in the project and experience
** Please submit digital images on CD listing title, date, material and dimensions for each work. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope for return of submission material, if desired.

Please Note: Artists are NOT asked to submit proposals at this stage of the competition.

Submissions must be received by Monday August 2, 2010, 4 pm

Submissions should be sent to:

Toronto Cultural Services
City Hall, 9th Floor, East Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Att’n: Janet Wardleworth
E-mail: culture [at] toronto [dot] ca

Toronto Cultural Services works with staff across City of Toronto divisions to identify exciting opportunities for commissioning public artworks in the City's parks, streets and open spaces. For this project, Toronto Cultural Services is working with Social Development, Finance and Administration, and Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

The project is administered by Toronto Cultural Services. The artwork concept will be selected through a two stage open competition by an independent Selection Committee convened for this project, which will include practicing arts professionals as well as representatives of the local community.

A short list of 3-5 artists will be paid a fee to develop a project proposal based on a Terms of Reference document provided to the short listed artists by Toronto Cultural Services.

A public open house exhibition of the short listed designs and final design selection will be held: date to be announced.