Local artist mural project

The local artist mural project will see six murals – one in each ward – created by Burlington artists.

The city is setting aside $50,000 for artist fees, with remaining money going to related initiatives like community consultation ($3,000), a maintenance reserve fund ($5,000), artist education on mural development ($5,000) and a community celebration event ($4,500).

Locations within the wards will be determined through an online voting system.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued for each mural location. A community jury consisting of representatives from each ward will evaluate the proposals and select the winning designs.

Mural unveiling is expected in September 2015.

“Over and above the beautification of the city, I think for those living in the city it (public art) is an inspiration,” Seaton said. “For the local artists in the city, it’s a sense of accomplishment and opportunity, so it makes us feel like we are a vital part of the community as opposed to being tucked away in our studios.”

Spirit of sport project

The spirit of sport project is a commission of three small- to medium-sized public artworks by an artist that celebrates the spirit of sport in three key sports facilities throughout the city.

A committee will determine whether to welcome submissions from Canadian artists only, or from international artists, as well.

The artist fee being awarded includes $50,000 for the signature piece and $25,000 each for two related works, for a total of $100,000.

The remainder will go towards such costs as short-listed artist fees (three at $1,500 each), community celebration event ($1,000), the maintenance reserve fund ($12,500) and community consultation and promotion ($3,000).

The artwork is scheduled to be unveiled in July 2015 in advance of the Pan Am Games, which are being hosted by Toronto and the GTA that August.

A steering committee will work with the public art managers to determine the artwork locations, as well as jury artist submissions from an RFP.

The artist will be chosen in a similar fashion to the recent public artwork installed at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, where three shortlisted artists create concepts that will be voted on by the public and ultimately selected by a jury and technical review committee.

Seaton says the city is on the verge of a cultural renaissance, adding moving forward with the Cultural Action Plan sends a valuable message to local youth in the community.

“Until the youth can see a viable case for entering a career in arts and culture it will always stay on the back burner of their mind,” said the artist, who also organizes the annual Art in Action Burlington Studio Tour. “This step by the city will help bring credibility to the arts as a meaningful career choice as opposed to a pastime.”

For more information on the proposed public artwork commissions, read the report by clicking item 11 at http://bit.ly/1l1InJX.

Details about the Cultural Action Plan, including the cultural mapping initiative, are available at www.burlington.ca/culture, while public art opportunities in Burlington can be found online at http://burlingtonpublicart.com/news.