Transform the Trail Call for Temporary Public Art Commission

Toronto - Canada

Monthly Salary: $ 70000 - 80000

Posted on: 20 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Call for Expression of Interest:January6 2026

Public Information Session for Applicants(Online via Zoom):Januarypm-7:30pmEST

Click to Register: Deadline:February62026at 5:00pm

Project Exhibition Period:mid-December2026late-February2027

Temporary Public Art Commission at The Bentway:

TheBentwayConservancy is pleased to announceaCall forExpressions ofInterestforthe return ofitsTransform the Trailprogramwhich seeks anartistic collaborator torespond to both theBentwaysiteand our relationships to the winter season.

This program supports a new temporary commission that animates The Bentways iconic figure-eight ice-skating trail and its surrounding footprint beneath the Gardiner Expressway. The goals of the commission are to encourage artistic experimentation in the public realm celebrate the unique creative potential of a Toronto winter enhance the ice-skating experience at TheBentway and foster meaningful connections during the coldest months of the year.

TheBentwayinvites artists designersand collectivestosubmitan expression of interestfor atemporary public art projectto beexhibitedat theBentwayskate trailfromDecember2026February2027.

Transform the Trail2027:

Throughout the yearTheBentwaystrives to support civic lifeand social connectionin public spaceand believeswinteris aseasonto beembracedand not just through February theBentwaysskate trailbecomes abelovedcold-weather destinationfeaturing a dynamicnaturalice-skatingrinkthat has quickly become one ofthe citys mostunique distinctiveurbanamenities.

Weavingthroughthe Bentways iconic columns theskatetrail isknownforoutdoorrecreation and innovationinviting diverse audiences to meetunder the Gardinerandexperience a traditionalCanadianwinter pastimein a new light each year.

The Bentways Transform the Trail programis seeking an artistic collaborator to help foster new and positive relationships with both theBentwaysite and Torontos winter season. Selected artists and designers must embrace and collaborate withwinter conditions; to educate innovate and create meaningful invitations for public engagement during the coldest months of the year; to build with sustainability in mind; and to inspire Torontoniansregardless of the weather. This site-specific intervention will become a signature element of the Bentways winter season reinforcing the site as a place where art recreation and community meet.

TheTransform the Trail programisbuilton thefollowingprimaryobjectivesfor artiststoclosely consider andrespond to:

Art and Recreation

Explore new techniques for merging culture and recreation to broaden prospective audiences and augment familiarwinterexperiences especially the skating experience.

Day to NightExperiences

Embrace colour and light to enhance the trail and surrounding landscape equally by day and by night.

Uniquely Urban

Develop strategies thatrespond tothe Bentways architectural features andcollaboratethe unique qualities of an urbanwinterlandscape.

Collaborate with Climate

Address theclimate variabilityin winter and thenatural materials within thewinterlandscapetofindcreativeways to applyand engage withthem.

Flexible and Sustainable Design

Adaptive and conduciveto realities oftheice skatingoperations andincorporating a sustainable approach to design and execution.

About the Site

Built in 2018 theBentwaySkate Trailis a220mfigure-eightnaturalice skatingrinkthat weaves around the iconic concrete columns of the Gardiner Expresswayin downtown skate trail will be the primaryareaforexhibitionhowever applicants should consider the site as a whole.

Due to thesite-specificnature of TheBentwayand theoperationsmaintenanceand technical requirements of the skate trail the selected artist should be prepared to work collaboratively withtheBentwayproduction and facilities teamstofurtherdevelop and refine proposedprojectswithcontextualconsiderations andsite parameters in mind.

Our Approach

TheBentwayre-imagines how we build experience and value public beneath Torontos Gardiner Expressway TheBentwayis a unique civic space and creative platform for public art city-building and cultural exchange. We collaborate with artists and communities to make meaningful public experiences that reflect the issues of our time.

Whensubmittinga proposal pleaseconsider theBentwaysprogrammingapproach:

Active participants:Programming that engages neighbours communities and thegeneral publicas active primary participants in city-building.
With creative voices:Artists and creatives in dialogue with and about the city.
Co-creation:Co-creation with broader communities championing diverse voicesperspectivesandexpertise.
As a catalyst:Work that lives a larger life beyond a single site season or city.

About the Program

Launched in 2021 the BentwaysannualTransform the Trailprogramseeks an artistic collaborator tobuild on new and existing relationships with theBentwaysite our surroundings and thewinterseason. Artists and designers are encouraged to fully embrace the seasonal climateas a means toshare inform connect communities and to spark public joy in all weather. These site-specific interventions become a fixtureof aBentwaywinter further animating thesitesspirit and identity asa public space where art and outdoor recreation converge and energize our city.

TheBentwayis grateful to have presented impactful projects at our skate trail over the years including Maureen GrubensMoving with Joy(2021)which brought together seven large-scale richly coloured sculptural sleds displaying video footage and photographs of daily life from Maureens home in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Western Arctic.

The 2022 program supported Toronto-based artist Shellie Zhang.Beacons(2022)consisted of five vibrant sculptures that light up the Gardiners concrete columns. The project is inspired by Zhangs conversations with newcomers as well as her own experience arriving in Canada in the winter and how efforts of collectives and friendly strangers helped brighten the otherwise cold and gloomy winter months.

In 2023 Canadian artistic duo Yi Zhou and Carlos Portillo and their projectThe Gateway (2023)offered a colourful procession of woven arches stretched across The Bentways Skate Trail bringing the northern lights into the city. Inspired by the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis and the role of weaving in their cultures their textile-based project accentuated the monumental architecture of the Gardiner with vibrant colours inspired by the winter skies.

Who Can Apply

Applications are open toGreaterTorontoHamiltonArea(GTHA)-basedartists designers or collectivesseeking an opportunityto work in the public realmand create a newoutdoorexperiencewithin mustdemonstratean ongoing creativepracticeand have a history ofpublic encourage applications from artistsdesignersand collectivesatvaryingstages of their career.

TheBentwayis committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment that promotes equitydiversity and inclusion. We invite applications from Indigenous and racialized people people with disabilities and people from 2SLGBTQ communities.

Budget

The artist will be paid a feeof $18000CAD for the designand consultation onthe provide a production allocation in the range of $70000.00 -$80000.00CAD. This production allocation is inclusive of all materials fabricationshippingequipment site preparationengineeringmaintenanceinstallation and deinstallationofthe artwork and contingency. Theproduction allocation will be managed by TheBentwaystaff in consultationwith the selected supplemental funding formarketing and promotions as well ascuratorialand production supportthroughout process.

Selection Process

This public art commission will be awarded following a two-stagereviewprocess.

Stage 1: Expressions of Interest

Theinitialround of applications will be reviewed by theBentwaySelection Committeeand evaluatedin accordance withthe criteria detailed tothree (3)shortlistedapplicantswill be invited toparticipatein Stage 2 and prepare design proposals for further consideration.

Stage 2: Design Proposals

Shortlisted applicantswill meet with theBentwayteam for an information and onboarding session either in person or remotelyand will be givena fulsome brief for preparing thedesignproposal high-levelbudgetin accordance withthe allocation noted aboveandprojectschedule.

Each shortlisted artist will be paid an honorarium of$500.00.

Following the submission deadlinecomplete designproposals will be evaluated byTheBentwaySelection Committeeand staff will provideadditionalfeedback on the technical and logistical feasibility of the proposed artwork.

Following deliberations and the final decision the selected creative will be contactedbyend ofMarch2026.

Evaluation Criteria

Demonstrated experienceand abilityto executetemporary and site-responsive workin publicspace.
Ability to respond tothe Bentwaysstated projectobjectivesandalign withprogramming principlesproduction approach andallocatedbudget
Ability to engage with the scale and unique seasonalconditions of the site to offer an impactful design and storytelling experience in the public realm.
Ability to engage broad audiences and shape a thoughtful viewer experienceencounteringthe siteon foot or on skates!
Ability torespondpractically toand workcreatively withthe realities ofskate trail operations and a busy public space that welcomes thousands of skaters each season.

How to Apply:Expressionsof Interest

Please attend the public information sessionvia Zoomor review the recording to support the development of your here: completeStage 1applicationpackageincludes the following components:

1. CV-PDF format no more than three(3)pagesmaximum

2. Expression of Interest-a maximum oftwo (2)written pages in response to thefollowingquestions:

Please explain your interest in thecommissionand the statedprojectobjectives.
Please explain your interest in creating public artwork for the winter season and how theclimateand Bentway sitewill inform your approach.
Provide a brief perspective on yourartistic practiceand howthis opportunity willbenefityouat this stage in yourcareer

3. Work Samples-detailed information on2-3 relevant projectsin include the following information for each project included:

project title locationproject overview role on team team members (if applicable) budgetand duration(max 1 page).

4. A Letter of Reference-froma previouscommissioning body.

Please do not include proposal information or sketches of a proposed concept.These will not be accepted at this stage.

Application Deadline:February62026at 5:00pm

PLEASE NOTE:

All submissions are considered confidential.
The submission of this application does not guaranteeselection.
The successfulshortlistapplicantswill be notified bymid-February2026(no follow-up calls please)
Should you require further clarification have any questions or require accessibility accommodationsplease

Transform the Trail Key Dates:

Call for Expressions of Interest released: January 6 2026
Public Information Session for Prospective Applicants: Thursday Januarypm EST
Application deadline: February 62026at 5:00pm EST
Shortlisted artists notified and creative brief distributed: February 18 2026
Deadline for design proposals: March 10 2026
Selected Artistnotified: endofMarch2026
Project development: April-November 2026
Public presentation: mid-December2026 throughFebruary2027

Call for Expression of Interest:January6 2026Public Information Session for Applicants(Online via Zoom):Januarypm-7:30pmESTClick to Register: Deadline:February62026at 5:00pmProject Exhibition Period:mid-December2026late-February2027Temporary Public Art Commission at The Bentway:TheBentwayConservanc...