City of Brantford has issued a call for artists to help create a new public artwork, or series of artworks, that will honour and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the invention of the telephone.
The commissioned artist will be selected through an open, two-stage process facilitated by STEPS Public Art, a Canadian charity and social enterprise that fosters vibrant communities through public art. This project will also include a mentorship component. A local emerging artist will be selected by the City of Brantford, with input from the selected artist or artist team, to serve as an assistant during the fabrication and installation phases of the project.
This is a two-stage, open competition for Canadian artists/artist teams. A Selection Panel composed of practicing arts professionals and community members will be established for this competition. Shortlisted artists, as well as the final selected artist, will be determined through a combination of scoring criteria and deliberation by the Selection Panel. The project budget is $135,000 and includes all costs directly associated with the artwork. Artwork fabrication will begin in January 2026, with installation scheduled later that year. The final commissioned sculpture(s) will be installed in Alexandra Park.
All artists are required to submit an application form through the STEPS Public Art website. Proposals are not requested at this time and will not be considered during the Stage 1 selection process. Artist applications will be reviewed on the basis of artistic excellence, relevant experience, and demonstrated or perceived ability to create and execute an innovative, engaging public artwork that is complementary to the overall design scheme and community context.
Those interested can submit an application online through the STEPS Public Art website at stepspublicart.org/project/brantford-public-art. The deadline for submissions is September 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Questions about the Artist Call may be directed to Collin Zipp at collin@stepspublicart.org. To learn more about the project, visit Brantford.ca/Bell150Sculpture.
