Call for Expressions of Interest

Location: Oakville Public Library – Sixteen Mile Branch
Address: 3250 Neyagawa Blvd, Oakville, Ontario
Deadline: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Budget: $40,000 CAD (all-inclusive)

Apply Online Now

The Oakville Public Library (OPL) invites professional Canadian artists and artist-led teams to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for a permanent indoor public artwork at the new Sixteen Mile Branch, opening in Winter 2026. The selected artwork will be installed on a second-level wall in the children’s area, visible from the main floor. This is a two-stage competition. At this time, artists are not required to submit a proposal—only qualifications and expressions of interest.
 
OPL is seeking a wall-based artwork that is imaginative, joyful, and reflective of the library as a place of inspiration and community. The piece should evoke curiosity, celebrate creativity, and resonate with the energy of a space where people come together to learn, explore, and dream. Artists are encouraged to interpret this vision in their own unique style, bringing forward concepts that will captivate audiences and create a lasting impression.

The new Sixteen Mile Branch will be over 18,000 square feet and offer a mix of spaces designed for work, study, collaboration, and creativity. Visitors will enjoy reading and conversation areas, children’s and teen zones, indoor and outdoor programming spaces, and access to print and media collections. The branch will also feature public computers, free Wi-Fi, and creative equipment to support hands-on learning and innovation. As part of the Sixteen Mile Community Centre development, the library will serve as a vibrant cultural hub for Oakville’s growing north community.
 
The artwork must be a flat, 2D wall-mounted installation designed for a high-traffic public environment. The designated wall is approximately 13.5 metres wide by 2.7 metres high (about 37 square metres). The work must meet accessibility standards, use durable and low-maintenance materials, and pose no safety risks. It should integrate seamlessly with the building’s architecture and systems, and thematically align with the children’s area—focusing on imagination, learning, play, and community.
 
The total budget for the project is $40,000 CAD, inclusive of all artist fees, materials, fabrication, installation, travel, insurance, and other related costs. Shortlisted artists will receive a $1,500 honorarium to develop a concept proposal in Stage Two. The final artist will be selected by an independent jury of visual arts professionals, community representatives, and OPL staff and Board members.
 
Submissions for Stage One are due by Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applicants must submit an online application including a resume, expression of interest, up to 10 images of past work, an image list, and two references. Experience with permanent public art is an asset but not required. This opportunity is open to professional Canadian artists aged 18 and older. OPL employees are not eligible to apply.
 
For more information or questions, please contact public.art@oakville.ca.

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