Waterfront Toronto is seeking to commission a professional artist or artist team to create a temporary floating artwork for Harbour Square Park Basin. Artists are asked to submit proposals for installation during summer 2024. The artwork will activate the basin by engaging with the local community and visitors to the waterfront. This RFP is open to all interested artists and artist teams in Canada with relevant experience and expertise as practicing professional artists. Waterfront Toronto strongly encourages that artists use local subcontractors.

Harbour Square Park is located on the shore of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Containing one-fifth of all surface freshwater on Earth, the lakes are a vital source of drinking water and food. Throughout history these interconnected bodies of water have been critically important for trade, human settlement and migration. They are sacred to Indigenous Peoples, who have inhabited the shores and fished in their waters since time immemorial. The lakes’ unique ecosystems are host to a diverse array of plants and animals, and their shores and waters provide recreation for millions of people.

Happy Castaways, 2022, Demers-Mesnard. Photo by Nicola Betts.

Today, water pollution, climate change, over-extraction, invasive species, and wetland loss are all taking a toll on their watersheds. Water scarcity, often perpetuated by climate change, is one of the most pressing global challenges today, particularly in its relationship to migration. It is imperative we remain engaged with the importance of these waters and with the challenges they face.

With this context in mind, artists are asked to develop work that explores water as a connector. They should consider the history and importance of these waterways and their role as geographical, ecological, political, economic, social, and spiritual connectors. In keeping with sustainable practices, Waterfront Toronto encourages ready-made artwork submitted as a proposal.

Waterfront Toronto intends to identify one successful Artist or artist-led team to undertake this project, according to the specifications described below.

The Peacemaker's Canoe, 2021, Jay Havens.
Photo by Celene Tang.

Submission Requirements

For consideration, artists and artist-led groups are invited to include in their submission:

Maximum two-page Artist Statement describing the artwork, how the public will interact with the artwork, installation method, as well as all relevant dimensions, anticipated weight, and materials.
Up to 8 digital images of the proposed artwork(s).
Proposed budget breakdown and schedule.
Up to 5 images of previous and relevant work.
Artist CV. For artist teams, one CV for each team member.
Three references.

Please refer to the complete submission requirements at Waterfront Toronto: www.waterfrontoronto.ca

SOS Safety Orange Swimmers, 2019, Ann Hirsch and Jeremy Angier A+J Art+Design. Photo by Nicola Betts

Budget

The total commissioning budget for this project is $80,000 +HST.

This fee includes all expenses related, but not limited to, Artist fees, preparation and submission of drawings and renderings, coordination and technical consultations including engineering approval or other expertise as required, permits, preparation of installation documents, anchoring plan, meetings and site visits, travel, insurance as required by Waterfront Toronto ($5M liability insurance is required for water installation), rental of studio and storage space, materials, shipping, delivery to site, signage, installation and removal, maintenance manual and artist statement for completed work.

Project Timeline

October 26, 2023 – RFP Issued

December 11, 2023 – Deadline for Questions
December 18, 2023 by 2pm EST –
Deadline for Submission of Proposals
January 2024 - Artist Selection
February 2024 – Artist Contract Issued
February to June 2024 – Design & Fabrication
Early July 2024 – Installation
Mid to late September 2024 – Artwork De-Install

Please direct all enquiries regarding this RFP to: publicart@waterfrontoronto.ca, and include Floating Art 2024 in your email.

The information presented here includes only the basic terms of this Request for Proposals. Please read in full the Waterfront Toronto Call for Proposals document which contains complete instructions, evaluation criteria, submission requirements, site details and technical requirements, and terms and conditions.

Submission Deadline: December 18, 2023 by 2:00pm EST