The City of Mississauga's Public Art Program seeks to commission an emerging artist, artist team, or illustrator to create original banner artwork.
The commissioned artist(s) will be expected to create six digital artwork files, which will be printed on vinyl banners. Banner artwork will be displayed on light pole standards throughout the city, creating a captivating and uplifting visual presence from June 2025 to early 2026.
The City will work directly with a contractor to fabricate and install the banners. Directly overseeing and managing this contract are not included in the commissioned artist(s)' scope of work or budget, although the commissioned artist(s) will have the opportunity to shadow City staff to gain knowledge in contracting public art fabricators.
Please ensure you have read all components of this page prior to applying.
Click here to download a PDF version of this page and an overview of submission requirements.
Alyah Holmes, The City in Colour, 2024
Eligibility
This is a public competition open to emerging artists, illustrators, and artist teams residing in Canada. Students, including art, design and architecture students, and established gallery artists looking to expand their practice into public art are encouraged to apply.
Project Goals
The City seeks to commission artwork that encourages community well-being, belonging, and social trust, including artwork that:
- Creates a sense of optimism, joy, trust in one's neighbours, and belonging, in the viewer
- Engages Mississauga's diverse local communities and celebrates local pride and togetherness
- Brings more colour, vibrancy, and beauty to city streets
Applying artists are encouraged to review past banner installations and find opportunities to present new thinking, new art forms, or new topics.
Artist Responsibilities
The commissioned artist(s) is responsible for:
- Creating and submitting high-resolution digital files of six (6) art designs
- Writing a brief statement for each art design and for the overall series
- Working with the City through design review, including providing up to three (3) revisions
- Supporting fabrication, installation and interpretive signage, in an advisory capacity
The City will work directly with a contractor to fabricate and install the banners. Directly overseeing and managing this contract are not included in the commissioned artist(s)' scope of work or budget.
Location Details
Banners will be installed on light poles at various locations throughout the city. The commissioned artist(s) will create artwork that fits banner dimensions of 28" (700 mm) wide and 72" (1830 mm) high. Artwork is printed on both sides of the banner.
Artwork is expected to be colourful (as light or pale colours tend to fade more), bold and visible from a distance. Artwork must adhere to Corporate Policy and Procedure Banners 06-02-06.*
*Banners may not promote a political party or election candidate; promote tobacco and/or cannabis use; present demeaning or derogatory portrayals of individuals or groups; or contain anything which, in light of generally prevailing community standards, is likely to cause deep or widespread offence.
Pino Cao, The Beauty of the City, 2023
Artist Fee
The commissioned artist(s) will receive an artist fee of $10,000 + HST Canadian Dollars.*
This fee does not include contractor fabrication and installation costs.
*This fee includes (but is not limited to): contract execution; development of artwork and/or design; submission of artwork in required form; design review and revisions (up to three revisions); supplying artist and project statement, bio, headshots and suggested didactic text; attendance at meetings; and insurance as required by the City.
Schedule
It is expected that the commissioned artist(s) will comply with the project's general timeline dates*, as highlighted below:
| February 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST | Submission Deadline |
| By March 31, 2025 | Art Selection Committee evaluates proposals; Contract execution; Applicants notified |
| By May 30, 2025 | Final Artwork Files Due |
| June 2025 | Banner Fabrication and Installation |
| June 2025-Early 2026 | Banner Exhibition |
*Schedule subject to change
Selection Process and Criteria
An art selection panel comprised of arts professionals and City staff will recommend an artist or artist team for the award of commission based on the following criteria:
- Artistic merit, including quality of work, originality, and artistic excellence in the field of contemporary art;
- Artist’s interest and expressed desire in this project;
- Artist’s demonstrated ability to meet the artwork goals and technical requirements, within the set timeline and budget.
Our public art program accepts informal training and community/peer recognition, and recognizes artists, creators, and storytellers from a diverse range of disciplines. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our team or send a submission, even if you are unsure if your credentials are suitable for the opportunity.
Questions
For more information, please email public.art@mississauga.ca or refer to mississauga.ca/publicart.
Public Art Banners
The City of Mississauga's Public Art Program seeks to commission an emerging artist, artist team, or illustrator to create original banner artwork.
The commissioned artist(s) will be expected to create six digital artwork files, which will be printed on vinyl banners. Banner artwork will be displayed on light pole standards throughout the city, creating a captivating and uplifting visual presence from June 2025 to early 2026.
The City will work directly with a contractor to fabricate and install the banners. Directly overseeing and managing this contract are not included in the commissioned artist(s)' scope of work or budget, although the commissioned artist(s) will have the opportunity to shadow City staff to gain knowledge in contracting public art fabricators.
Please ensure you have read all components of this page prior to applying.
Click here to download a PDF version of this page and an overview of submission requirements.
Alyah Holmes, The City in Colour, 2024
Eligibility
This is a public competition open to emerging artists, illustrators, and artist teams residing in Canada. Students, including art, design and architecture students, and established gallery artists looking to expand their practice into public art are encouraged to apply.
Project Goals
The City seeks to commission artwork that encourages community well-being, belonging, and social trust, including artwork that:
- Creates a sense of optimism, joy, trust in one's neighbours, and belonging, in the viewer
- Engages Mississauga's diverse local communities and celebrates local pride and togetherness
- Brings more colour, vibrancy, and beauty to city streets
Applying artists are encouraged to review past banner installations and find opportunities to present new thinking, new art forms, or new topics.
Artist Responsibilities
The commissioned artist(s) is responsible for:
- Creating and submitting high-resolution digital files of six (6) art designs
- Writing a brief statement for each art design and for the overall series
- Working with the City through design review, including providing up to three (3) revisions
- Supporting fabrication, installation and interpretive signage, in an advisory capacity
The City will work directly with a contractor to fabricate and install the banners. Directly overseeing and managing this contract are not included in the commissioned artist(s)' scope of work or budget.
Location Details
Banners will be installed on light poles at various locations throughout the city. The commissioned artist(s) will create artwork that fits banner dimensions of 28" (700 mm) wide and 72" (1830 mm) high. Artwork is printed on both sides of the banner.
Artwork is expected to be colourful (as light or pale colours tend to fade more), bold and visible from a distance. Artwork must adhere to Corporate Policy and Procedure Banners 06-02-06.*
*Banners may not promote a political party or election candidate; promote tobacco and/or cannabis use; present demeaning or derogatory portrayals of individuals or groups; or contain anything which, in light of generally prevailing community standards, is likely to cause deep or widespread offence.
Pino Cao, The Beauty of the City, 2023
Artist Fee
The commissioned artist(s) will receive an artist fee of $10,000 + HST Canadian Dollars.*
This fee does not include contractor fabrication and installation costs.
*This fee includes (but is not limited to): contract execution; development of artwork and/or design; submission of artwork in required form; design review and revisions (up to three revisions); supplying artist and project statement, bio, headshots and suggested didactic text; attendance at meetings; and insurance as required by the City.
Schedule
It is expected that the commissioned artist(s) will comply with the project's general timeline dates*, as highlighted below:
| February 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST | Submission Deadline |
| By March 31, 2025 | Art Selection Committee evaluates proposals; Contract execution; Applicants notified |
| By May 30, 2025 | Final Artwork Files Due |
| June 2025 | Banner Fabrication and Installation |
| June 2025-Early 2026 | Banner Exhibition |
*Schedule subject to change
Selection Process and Criteria
An art selection panel comprised of arts professionals and City staff will recommend an artist or artist team for the award of commission based on the following criteria:
- Artistic merit, including quality of work, originality, and artistic excellence in the field of contemporary art;
- Artist’s interest and expressed desire in this project;
- Artist’s demonstrated ability to meet the artwork goals and technical requirements, within the set timeline and budget.
Our public art program accepts informal training and community/peer recognition, and recognizes artists, creators, and storytellers from a diverse range of disciplines. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our team or send a submission, even if you are unsure if your credentials are suitable for the opportunity.
Questions
For more information, please email public.art@mississauga.ca or refer to mississauga.ca/publicart.