Indigenous Roots: Call for Mural Artists

East End Arts invites all Indigenous Mural Artists to submit an application for “Indigenous Roots”, an East End United Regional Ministry – Eastminster Campus Mural Project! The deadline for this call is Friday May 9, 2025 by 5:00PM EST.

CALL FOR ARTISTS:

East End Arts and East End United Regional Ministry (EEURM) are inviting Indigenous mural artists to apply to an exciting public art project that will take place inside the lobby of East End United Church in the summer of 2025! Through this project, we are committed to exhibiting the work of an artist or artist collective from Indigenous communities.

Applications are open until May 9, 2025, 5:00 PM EDT.

ABOUT INDIGENOUS ROOTS AT THE EASTMINSTER CAMPUS OF EEURM:

This new partnership between East End Arts and EEURM, “Indigenous Roots” is an exciting opportunity to beautify and enhance the indoor lobby space of the Eastminster Campus of EEURM (located at 310 Danforth Avenue), exploring themes of Indigenous Representation, Brilliance, Joy,  Interconnectedness, Land Stewardship, Cultural Preservation, and other themes as chosen by the artists who apply. The project builds upon the church’s existing community and public art legacy, and will feature the work of one individual Indigenous Mural Artist or one Indigenous Mural Collective of Artists.

EEURM and its community are committed to addressing some of the recommendations as addressed by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. This project is rooted in a deep sense of XX and XX. It is our wish to build bridges and forge meaningful connections with the original stewards of this land….

Indigenous Roots Public Art Project will take place on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, which is also the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee confederacy and the Anishinaabe. This territory is subject to the dish with one spoon treaty, a covenant between the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat to share and care for the land and resources in the lower Great Lakes area.

If requested, an Elder will be available throughout the lifecycle of this mural project to be a support person for Indigenous artists.

SELECTION PROCESS: 

There will be 1 artist or 1 artist collective chosen for ‘Indigenous Roots’. They will be selected via a single stage call, with a peer assessment committee representing local Indigenous creators, East End Arts, EEURM and the local East Toronto community. 

This application process asks artists to submit a simple mockup and description of their design, along with four (4) pieces of support material that they feel represents their work. The jury will review and score all applications, and will only choose one final artist or artists to complete this mural project.

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

  • The selected artist or collective will be paid $6,500 to paint approximately 350 sq ft of indoor wall coverage.
  • Colour schemes will be completely up to artist discretion based on the designs submitted.
  • Potential lifts and/or scaffolding will be provided, while selected artists/collectives are expected to have up-to-date Working At Heights Training.
  • Storage within the EEURM will be provided for the selected artist(s). 
  • An info sheet is available HERE, which lays out the wall photos with approximate measurements.

EVALUATION:

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

  • Artist/collective shows a standard of work that is in keeping with EEAs and East Minster’s goals for artistic excellence.
  • The proposed design fits the space well and speaks to a relevant and approved theme.
  • The support materials provided demonstrate the Artist’s capacity to deliver a high-quality project of similar size and scope.
  • The bio/and or support materials demonstrate Artist’s ability to plan, manage and meet project timelines and budget while achieving success at executing art projects of a similar scale.
  • The submission is complete and clear.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  1. Deadline for applications: May 9, 2025 by 5:00PM EDT
  2. Notification to Selected Artist(s): Week of June 2-6, 2025
  3. Painting: July-August, 2025
  4. Hard Wall Completion Date: August 31, 2025
  5. Community Mural Unveiling and Celebration Day – September 26, 2025

TO APPLY:

Thank you for your interest in applying for “Indigenous Roots” with East End Arts and East End United Regional Ministry.  To apply to this Call for Mural Artists, please email one single PDF document, which includes your answers and all support material, to submissions@eastendarts.ca, with the following information:

  1. Name of Artist or Collective:
  2. Artist Bio (200 words)
    ** This bio will be used as promotional material for selected artists.
  3. CV & Headshot
    ** This headshot will be used as promotional material for selected artists.
  4. Email Address:
  5. Phone Number: 
  6. Postal Code:
  7. Website:
  8. Social Media Accounts (active and up to date)
  9. Why do you want to be selected for Indigenous Roots? (max 200 words)
  10. Describe your previous mural experience. (max 200 words)
  11. Please provide a rough mockup of your design for the indoor lobby space.
  12. Please provide a brief written description of your proposed mural design (max 200 words)
  13. Do you have an up to date working at heights safety training? 
  14. Do you have an up to date aerial lift certificate?
  15. Do you have any accessibility needs we should be aware of? 
  16. Are you available to paint July-August, 2025? 
  17. Provide 4 examples of your previous work as support materials.
  18. As an Indigenous artist, please state your relationship/connection to your nation(s) or family/ies. 
  19. Are you a member of any of our other Equity Seeking Groups:
    -Local East Toronto Resident
    -Person Living with Disability/ies
    -Youth (under 29)
    -Senior
    -2SLGBTQIA+
    -Low Income Community Member
    -Crescent Town Neighbourhood resident
    -None of the Above

If you have any questions about the application process, you can email East End Arts’ Program Manager, Mahmoud Ismail, at mahmoud@eastendarts.ca. 

ABOUT THE FUNDER:

East End United Regional Ministry is a faith seeking community of the United Church that welcomes participants with diverse perspectives on God, church and the meaning of Christian faith.

An affirming congregation of the United Church that invites people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to join us.

A provider of services to members of our local community offering practical necessities, such as food and clothing, as well as the warmth of community and care

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