2023 Yonge-Dundas Square
Black History Month Digital Exhibition
Call for Artists
Details
ARTIST
We're excited to announce Sofia Reyes, Pixel Heller, and Steve Williams Jnr as the recipients of the Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher!
Their work will premiere at Yonge-Dundas Square for the month of February 2023.
*The Exhibition will be temporarily paused from Feb 16-20 to accommodate a Yonge and Dundas event.
Sofia Reyes is an Afro-Latinx Panamanian illustrator, comic artist, and designer, currently residing in Toronto, ON. Their work focuses on the intersectionality of identity as described through fantastical story-telling and colour.
Pixel Heller
This is my symbol. I’m not an artist. I’m an explorer. Art just happens to be my medium for discovery and empowerment. When I created these masks in search of my identity, I found my home, interwoven within Caribbean roots. These masks represent protection for my culture and my people.
21-year-old Steve Williams Jnr, is a Ghanaian creative who has managed to tap into the fullness of his artistry. The intentionality behind his creative expression has made him a storyteller, telling beautiful stories from his own experiences and the stories of others.
OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
Yonge-Dundas Square and the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for three (3) artists from the OCAD U community to exhibit their work on the square’s digital screens. Artists are invited to submit artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2023, reflecting on what role artists can play in the city’s public spaces.
Yonge-Dundas Square is a unique focal point of the downtown Toronto community. The Square is designated for use as a public open space and as an event venue that can accommodate events of various sizes. Artists are invited to take over two horizontal screens (960 x 480 pixels) and three vertical screens (448 x 608 pixels) on the Square.
This opportunity is for artists who identify as Black. The successful applicants will each receive an exhibition fee ($500) provided by the CEAD.
Applicants can virtually tour the square here
Location of 5 screens in Square can be viewed here
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Contact info (Name, phone, and email)
- Current creative CV
- Website and/or social Media handle
- Artist statement/bio (150 words max)
- A brief statement reflecting on what artists can bring to public spaces (150 words)
- 5 - 7 images or video links (Vimeo, Youtube, etc) of existing work to be submitted for consideration.
- A corresponding list for the support images including: artist name, title, year, medium, size, and duration (for time-based work).
- Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity.
TIMELINE
- Week of Dec 12, 2022 – Artists are selected and notified
- Mon, Jan 9, 2023 - High resolution artwork files scaled for screen dimensions due
- February, 2023 - Digital exhibition
APPLICATION SUPPORT
The OCAD U RBC CEAD is committed to promoting substantive equality for equity-seeking groups that are under-represented in the creative sector. We encourage applications from first-time applicants to the program and graduates of equity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities / expressions. Applicants are welcome to advise the CEAD of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process.
Applicants who need assistance with their submissions are invited to connect with the RBC CEAD for Advising support. Click here to learn more about how to book an advising appointment.
PARTNER
Yonge-Dundas Square
1 Dundas St E
Toronto, ON M5B 2R8
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with Yonge-Dundas Square and the CEAD to ensure high resolution and properly sized artwork files are delivered to YDS by the beginning of January, 2023.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Current OCAD U undergraduate and graduate level students and recent grads (class of 2022 or 2021)
- Selected artists must have a screen-based practice including but not limited to static, moving images, and multi-channel.
- Please note that artworks must comply with YDS Display Policy available here and City of Toronto’s Municipal Code Chapter 694 - 18, E, (4) and (5) regulations available here
RATE
- $500 Artist fee
DEADLINE
Friday, December 9, 2022 at 8:00 AM ET
