Public sculpture commission applications open for Oshawa’s Downtown Urban Square
Published February 27, 2024 at 3:09 pm
Oshawa is looking for imaginative minds to create a public sculpture in the new Downtown Oshawa Urban Square at Bond Street and King Street in the heart of the city.
For local artists who haven’t heard of the commission; you have six days to get your application in.
The independent public sculpture commission – the first in Oshawa’s history – is valued at $145,000, including artist fees, engineering, materials and installation and will be part of the city’s 100th anniversary celebrations this year.
The City Oshawa expropriated the site – a parking lot for many years – in the summer of 2022 with the desire to turn the empty lot in the heart of the city centre into a new Downtown Urban Square.
Design has been underway since the fall, with the project part of the Plan20Thirty downtown revitalization project. The hope is the Square will be a unique focal point of downtown, hosting community celebrations, events and concerts that appeal to both residents and visitors, bringing “vitality and excitement” into the downtown core.
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The sculpture will play a major role in bringing that dream to life.
The park and artwork are part of the City’s desire to “connect and engage” with the community by transforming public spaces into “vibrant, inviting and meaningful public places.”
The Public Art Task Force and a Public Art Jury formed for the project will guide the two-stage selection process, with an aim to support and celebrate Canadian talent. The public will have the opportunity to meet the artists and provide feedback on their proposals later this year.
Applications are due on or before March 4 at 11:30 p.m. For more information about the public sculpture commission, visit Oshawa.ca/ArtistCalls.
This year marks the 100th anniversary since Oshawa received status as a ‘city.’ The Centennial will be celebrated throughout the year with numerous events and initiatives. For more information about the Centennial, visit Oshawa.ca/100.
