Call for Artists: Every Child Matters bus wrap design 2024-2025
The Reconciliation Action Partnership (RAP) invites local artists, graphic designers, and illustrators to create an original full-color digital image, to commemorate both the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (September 30, 2024) and Indigenous History Month (June 2025). This artwork will be featured on a GRT bus, external posters, interior bus cards, RAP’s website, and regional and municipal social media platforms. The selected artwork will be utilized for a full year, from September 30, 2024, to September 29, 2025.
Background:
The Reconciliation Action Partnership launched its first Every Child Matters bus wrap on September 30, 2023, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history, and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
The Reconciliation Action Partnership is a collective of municipal representatives dedicated to coordinating efforts to support Indigenous-centered initiatives across the region.
The artist selected will be paid $5,000 plus HST (if applicable) for their completed design.
Deadline to apply is May 5, 2024, at 11:59 pm.
Bus wrap design goals:
The artist will create or utilize previous artwork in recognition of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and Indigenous History Month, providing opportunities for public education, understanding and connection.
The bus design should also consider the primary audience — transit patrons — and the site — a moving vehicle and use the statement: “Every Child Matters”.
Eligibility:
The invitation is open to all emerging, mid-career and established artists (18+) of Indigenous ancestry within Waterloo Region.
Technical assistance is available, but the ability to create and submit high-resolution digital files that conform to the specifications below is required. A single artist must represent those applying as a team; this includes teachers applying with students. The selected artist must be able to meet project deadlines and complete the project no later than June 15, 2024.
Application Requirements:
The application materials must be combined into a single document, not to exceed 10 pages.
Page 1: Statement of interest: Explain why this project is of interest to you and your connection to urban Indigenous community; describe your potential aesthetic and conceptual approach to the project.
Pages 2-6: Up to 10 images embedded in the document of previous original artwork with the following information under each visual: title, medium, year.
Page 7-10: Up to a three-page CV or bio with your contact information, address and website and/or social media handles. It should outline relevant accomplishments or experience and include two professional references with their names, affiliated organization, email address and phone number.
Applications must follow these requirements to be reviewed.
Email your single document to equity@regionofwaterloo.ca by 11:59 pm, Sunday, May 5, 2024. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.
Selection criteria and process:
The Reconciliation Action Partnership members will select finalists to create concept designs on a GRT bus layout template. Submissions will be evaluated as outlined:
- Statement of interest/Connection to the project theme (30%)
- Strength of submitted past work (40%)
- Uniqueness and potential public appeal (20%)
- Demonstrated ability to complete the work on time (10%)
RAP members may choose up to three artists as finalists to create a concept sketch for the project for which they will each receive $200. Finalists will provide their complete concept sketch on a GRT bus layout template by June 15, 2024. Final designs will be displayed anonymously and if applicable, voted upon by the community during RAP’s Community Feast, June 20, 2024. The votes will be tallied by the RAP members, and the finalists will be notified of their design result.
Scope of work:
Upon selection, the artist will be provided a high-resolution template of the bus layout. The artist will then develop and submit the following materials per the project schedule outlined below:
Concept Proposal including:
- A paragraph about the intent and description of the artwork;
- An image of the original artwork, and;
- A mock-up of the original artwork fit within the spaces designated on the template
Work-in-Progress including:
- An image of artwork in-progress that addresses panel feedback
Final Design including:
- A final paragraph about the intent and description, and;
- A high-resolution final artwork using the provided template submitted according to the specifications below under ‘Design Specifications’.
Design specifications:
The selected artist may create the full-color imagery in any medium; however, the artwork must be submitted using these applications and file types:
- Adobe CC or Illustrator (ai, eps or pdf) (ai eps | pdf) CMYK
- InDesign (indd or pdf) or Photoshop (psd or eps) CMYK
The image should be final dpi @ 1:15 scale @ 1200 resolution is (1200/15) 80 dpi at 100% scale.
Fonts must be rasterized or outlined within the artwork. All layout files must be packaged and bundled to include all linked images and fonts. Technical assistance can be provided as required.
Project schedule:
- Applications due May 5, 11:59 p.m.
- Finalist notification May 10
- Concept draft due June 15
- Final artist chosen and notified, June 20
- Work-in progress artwork for review, June 27, 9 a.m.
- Work-in-progress check-in meeting, July 5
- Final design due July 10, noon
- Production preparation, July 10 to August 10
- Printing and installation, August 10 to September 30
This schedule is subject to change.
Questions?
For questions, please email equity@regionofwaterloo.ca.
Contact Us