York University students, staff, faculty and alumni are invited to share their artistic expressions of positive change, for a chance to have their artwork featured in a community art project at Markham Campus.
York University and STEPS have partnered together to showcase community artwork on the construction hoarding for the York University Markham Campus, and are looking to feature up to eight works of art.
STEPS is an award-winning cultural organization that facilitates public art initiatives in Canada.
Artists should consider what it means to right the future at the Markham Campus as the theme of their submissions and are encouraged to contemplate the dimensions of time (past, present and future), interdisciplinarity, reconciliation with Indigenous communities and sustainability.
“Markham Campus is being constructed in the heart of one of the most diverse and dynamic urban communities in the province and country. As Markham continues to grow and develop, it also retains a rich history and heritage that informs its growth,” says Gordon Binsted, deputy provost, Markham Campus. “Acknowledging that the University will be part of this tapestry, we’re asking artists to think outside the box about what it means to create positive change to right the future at this new campus. I look forward to seeing the creative artistic expressions put forward by our York community.”
Artists should also be able to provide a caption that connects the image to the exhibit theme.
The exhibition space is best suited to landscape-oriented imagery. Images with large amounts of white, blank, or lightly coloured negative space pose a higher risk of graffiti vandalism when exhibited in public space and are discouraged.
Featured artists will receive an honorarium of $750 per selected image, and will be credited on-site, as well as in all exhibit materials. It is encouraged that applicants share existing artwork that connects to the theme.
The deadline to apply is June 6 at 11:59 p.m., and selected artists will be notified later in June.
Artwork will be installed from July 2022, until the construction hoarding is no longer required on site.
Learn more about submission requirements and how to apply.