Call For Artists Application

2025 Call for Artists

Public Art in Oak Bay is Alive and Well and Happening!

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Theme
Jury Process and Criteria
Key Dates
How to Apply
2024 Online Application

Arts Alive Public Art Program

Arts Alive is Oak Bay Parks, Recreation & Culture’s yearly public art program. This exhibition of sculpture is displayed for 10 months at outdoor sites in our municipality. Oak Bay Public Arts Program is an expression of our district’s commitment to a flourishing arts environment for the economic, social and personal benefit of our entire community. It is also an important attraction for visitors and tourists.

The municipality installs the sculptures in a variety of outdoor locations around Oak Bay. The annual and permanent collection of sculptures frames views, animates parks, streetscapes and gathering areas. The sculptures have been greatly appreciated for their artistic merit and have encouraged viewers to pause and reflect about living in and visiting this special seaside community. The collection includes realistic and abstract pieces, both kinetic and static. They are made of a variety of materials including metal, stone, mixed media and mosaic and express each sculptor’s personal style and interpretation of the yearly theme.

The annual exhibition of sculpture is chosen by a jury from works submitted by artists from the region. Selected sculptures are on temporary loan by each sculptor, sponsored by local business and community groups.

To learn more please visit Arts Alive.

About Oak Bay

The municipality of Oak Bay is part of Greater Victoria and is located on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It lies in the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən people, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

Surrounded by beaches and parkland, its scenery includes splendid views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Salish Sea. This geologically fascinating area is also home to the unique and rare Garry Oak meadow ecosystem.

Our 18,000 residents have a deep attachment to our natural and built environment. The municipality is legendary for its fine domestic architecture, its picturesque, luxuriant gardens, and its parks. Its compact and charming village heart is the home of several art galleries enjoyed by local artists and art enthusiasts.

Theme for 2025

9th Annual “Open” (No Theme) Juried Sculptural Exhibition

Artists are invited to produce and submit original work of their choice. The jury is interested in hearing artists answers the following questions:

What inspires you and your artistic process at this time?
What are the issues, trends or influences that are affecting your work?
How do you relate to your work or artistic process?

Information for Artists

This is an excellent opportunity for both emerging and mid-career artists to showcase their work.

Artists are invited to reflect on their arts practice, current or past.

Artist’s work will have exposure to thousands of residents and visitors in this high-profile program. The municipality, local media and Oak Bay Tourism will promote this show throughout the year. Related arts events like art walks, paint-ins, concerts, and celebrations will be organized, generating excitement and building community.

Artists based in Western Canada are invited to apply for our 2025-2026 outdoor public art program (due to shipping/importing logistics of artwork, we cannot accept sculptures shipped from outside of the region at this time).
Work will be displayed for approximately 1 year.
Proposals will be reviewed by a volunteer jury.
Depending on community sponsorships, up to 10 works may be selected.
Selected works will be installed in highly visible outdoor locations open to the public.
This year only sculptural works will be selected for inclusion in the program.

Financial Information

Successful submissions will be provided with an honorarium of $1,600 inclusive of travel and delivery/retrieval of artwork.
All artwork is available for public purchase.
- A commission of 10% of the sale of any sculpture while on exhibition will go to the Arts Alive program to be used for the development of the program.
Permanent Municipal Public Art Collection Consideration
The purchase of artwork is at the discretion of the District of Oak Bay Council and is not guaranteed as part of this public exhibition.

The public will be invited to vote on a People's Choice Award.

This piece will be among those considered for purchase by the Municipality for inclusion in Oak Bay's permanent public art collection, up to a fair market value of $18,000, taxes included, pending annual budget approvals.
Artwork valued over $18,000 will be considered for exhibition and public sale only.

Jury Process

Incomplete applications will not be considered by the jury.
Submissions will be reviewed by the Arts Alive jury.
Shortlisted entries will be reviewed by Municipal staff to ensure technical feasibility and public safety.

Jury Criteria

Originality and artistic merit. (50%)
Quality of previous work (mid-career artists) / quality of the application information, photographs/sketches (emerging artists) (30%)
Open call Q&A – quality of artists’ response to questions posed by the jury. (20%)
Overall feasibility, appropriate size, practicality, durability.
Appropriate for outdoor seaside environment, structural integrity, public safety, and level of maintenance required.
Content must be appropriate for community members of all ages.

Sculpture Installation | Concrete Base

All sculptures must securely fasten to bases provided. View installation Guidelines.

Arts Alive 2024-2025 Key Dates

January 27, 2025 ~ Application deadline – (9AM Pacific Time)
February 28, 2025 ~ Successful applicants will be notified.
May 5, 2025 ~ New artwork delivered to Oak Bay Public Works Yard.
June 9, 2025 ~ Installation of 2025 Arts Alive artwork complete.
July 10, 2024 ~ TENATIVE Arts Alive opening celebration and tour.
April/May 2026 ~ De-Installation of 2025-2026 Arts Alive artwork complete.

How to Apply

We invite your submission by completing the attached application form with all supporting documentation outlined on the document checklist, by 9AM – January 27, 2025.

Applications can be made online at ONLINE FORM or emailed to apass@oakbay.ca.

If by email, rather than the online form: please view and complete the necessary documents below.

Arts Alive Call for Artists (ensure you complete the application check list on this document)
Arts Alive Application Form (fillable PDF)
Base Specifications - Installation Guidelines

(If emailing, place the artwork title in the subject line and attach application and supporting documents in one email.)

Please direct accessibility and accommodation requests or general questions prior to January 25 to:

Andrea Pass, Arts and Culture Programmer
apass@oakbay.ca
250-370-7908