Details
Deadline: July 12, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Budget: $140,000 CAD + HST
Eligibility: Indigenous artists and Indigenous-led teams (Canada)
Location: Five Corners Parkette, St. Catharines, Ont.
To view or download the full Expression of Interest (EOI) request, please click here.
Overview
The City of St. Catharines is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Indigenous artists and Indigenous-led artist teams to create a site-specific, permanent public artwork for the Five Corners parkette, located at the intersection of St. Paul Street, Geneva Street, Queenston Street, and Niagara Street.
This is a two-stage competition. Up to three artists / teams will be shortlisted and invited to develop concept proposals in Stage 2 (honorarium provided). One finalist will be selected to realize the commissioned artwork.
Project Context and Vision
The Five Corners site sits at a historically significant convergence of Indigenous trail systems that have connected the Niagara region for millennia. These routes — many of which continue to shape the downtown today — reflect deep histories of movement, exchange, and relationship.
The City invites artists to respond to this place through themes such as:
- Indigenous trails and pathways
- Movement and travel
- Meeting place and convergence
- Storied land and layered histories
- Relationships and coexistence
Artists are encouraged to meaningfully engage with the histories of the land, including the presence and knowledge systems of the Neutral Nation Confederacy, the Anishinaabek, and the Haudenosaunee, and the continuing significance of agreements such as the Dish With One Spoon and the Great Peace of Montréal.
Artwork Opportunity
The selected artist/team will:
- Develop a site-responsive, permanent public artwork
- Engage with community, including Indigenous community members, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers, as appropriate
- Fabricate and install the final artwork within the project budget
- The artwork will become part of the City of St. Catharines Civic Art Collection.
Project Site
The artwork will be located within the Five Corners parkette at a prominent downtown intersection. The site is an active pedestrian corridor and historically significant location shaped by longstanding Indigenous pathways.
Project Team and Support
The project is developed in collaboration with the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations (NAIR), which will provide curatorial guidance and cultural advisory support throughout the process.
Funding support is provided by the City of St. Catharines, and in part through the Niagara Region Public Realm Investment Program (PRIP).
Budget
Total commission: $140,000 + HST
Inclusive of artist fees, design, fabrication, materials, engineering (if required), transportation, and installation
Stage 2 honorarium: $2,000 + HST (per shortlisted artist / team)
Eligibility
Open to:
- Professional Indigenous artists (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) residing in Canada.
- Indigenous-led teams (must identify an Indigenous lead artist)
The City may request confirmation of Indigenous identity / affiliation and / or the Indigenous lead role in a respectful manner as part of due diligence during the selection process.
Artists should demonstrate:
- Experience in original artistic practice
- A track record of presenting work publicly
- Capacity to complete a project of this scale
Competition Process
Stage 1 – Expression of Interest (Open Call)
Applicants submit qualifications only (no concept proposal required).
- A Selection Committee will shortlist up to three artists / teams.
Stage 2 – Concept Proposals (By Invitation Only)
Shortlisted artists will:
- Develop a detailed concept proposal
- Present their proposal to the Selection Committee
- Receive a $2,000 honorarium
One artist / team will be selected for commission.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated on:
- Artistic excellence and strength of past work
- Alignment with project vision and site context
- Demonstrated ability to execute a public artwork
- Approach to community engagement
- Technical experience and collaboration capacity
Key Dates
Stage 1 – EOI
- Launch: May 27, 2026
- Deadline: July 12, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
- Shortlist notification: Week of July 20, 2026
Stage 2 – Concept Stage (Invited)
- RFP issued: July 27, 2026
- Submission deadline: Aug. 30, 2026
- Presentations: Week of Sept. 7, 2026
- Final selection: Week of Sept. 14, 2026
Production and Installation
- Fall 2026 to Spring 2027
- Installation target: June 2027
How to Submit (Stage 1)
To submit for the first stage of the competition, please complete the online submission form, including the following information:
- Statement of Interest (max. two pages)
- Artist Statement and Bio (max. one page)
- CV / Resume (max. three pages)
- Portfolio (max. 10 images with image list)
- Two references
- Format: PDF preferred (or accessible cloud link)
Submission Deadline: July 12, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Accessibility
Accommodation and alternative submission formats are available upon request.
Contact: culture@stcatharines.ca
Questions
Submit inquiries to: culture@stcatharines.ca
- Subject line: EOI Question – 5 Corners Indigenous Public Art
- Responses and addenda will be posted on the City’s website.
Additional Information
- The City reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition
- The selected artist will enter into a formal agreement and provide required insurance and documentation
- Submissions may be subject to MFIPPA