CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: PUBLIC MURAL
Due date for application: October 7, 2026
The Town of Antigonish, supported by Antigonish Culture Alive (ACA), is seeking submissions for their 2026 Public Art Commission. This is a Nova Scotia-wide competition, with preference given to Antigonish Town and/or County residents, for professional (as defined by Canada Arts Council Guidelines) and emerging artists (an artist developing their portfolio and gaining experience, self-taught or formally educated).
The 2026 Public Art Commission celebrates the 50th anniversary of Antigonish Creative Dance Association (ACDA). ACDA provides a comprehensive program in which dancers of all ages, but in particular young people, can find their physical voice. ACDA is proud to note that many of the dancers in their programs today are children of former ACDA dancers, a trend that speaks to the legacy of their involvement in the community. Dance not only teaches discipline, concentration, flexibility, and technique; the intellectual, physical and social skills taught through dance are basic and fundamental to a child’s success and function in other areas of development. Most importantly, child-centred dance promotes expression, joyousness, appreciation of beauty and a sense of belonging in the wider community.
For the 2026 Antigonish Public Art Commission we seek to promote aesthetic literacy and cultural community. Artists with experience in large-scale works are highly encouraged to apply. To see murals from previous years, click here.
Technical skills in Adobe Creative Suite (or similar software) to render a design in digital format are considered an asset. If needed, a professional graphic designer can assist with preparing finalized files. The Town and ACA will oversee reproduction and installation, while copyright will remain with the artist.
Artists will be selected by a jury composed of representatives of the town, Antigonish Culture Alive, and local arts professionals.
Proposed mural location: the eastern wall on the side of Antigonish’s landmark store, 5c-$1.
Size: Approximately 75-130 square feet.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
- Artists must be residents of Nova Scotia; residents of Antigonish Town and/or County will be prioritized.
- Artists must be 18 years of age (or parent/guardian permission is required).
- Only applications with all necessary documents as outlined below will be reviewed.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants may submit under one of three categories:
- Digital Reproduction
- Full Scale, In-situ Painting
Please note in your application which category you are applying under.
Applicants can apply through this Google Form Link.
or
Email the application documents/elements listed below in the following format to antigonishculturealive@gmail.com. (Further details on the submission requirements are provided below SPATIAL CONSIDERATIONS).
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- The written portion (letter of intent, CV or resume, etc.) of your application including links into a single PDF.
- JPEGS/PNG’s are to be sent separately (not in a PDF) and named Firstname_Lastname_1 (etc)
1. CONCEPTUAL DESIGN: Submit conceptual design(s)* based on specs provided. This may be a sketch, painting, or digital image that reflects your concept for the Antigonish mural (.pdf or jpeg, no larger than 2 megabytes). Conceptual designs should provide a detailed rendering with desired final colours noted. Please submit as JPEG/PNG images.
*Note on Conceptual Design Requirements: the design should clearly show your idea and approach. You do not need to provide a fully rendered or finalized artwork. The goal is to communicate your concept, style, and vision for the mural. If selected for a Tier Two rendering, further detail may be requested. Final details, adjustments, and formatting will be developed in collaboration with the project team once an artist is selected.
2. LETTER OF INTENT (250-1000 words): Here artists have the opportunity to convey their vision for the project, as well as their process and their practice. This is a perfect space to articulate how you see your art fitting in with the cultural and physical landscape of Antigonish. Narrative components or text based art are also welcome. We are intentionally setting these parameters extremely broad so as to not exclude potential projects. These text documents may include graphics and should be in one PDF or .docx files. Other formats of delivery can be considered with advanced notice (recorded audio, etc.) Other formats of delivery can be considered with advanced notice (recorded audio, video, etc.).
3. PORTFOLIO: Include an artist portfolio with supplementary files of related and/or previous work (5-10 works max). Portfolio should be a document (Word or PDF) with photos embedded and context included.
4. CV OR RESUME: Provide a CV or resume of relevant artistic experience (training, awards, residencies, exhibitions, projects, etc.), and include an artist bio along with links to appropriate website/online presence (Instagram, etc.).
Please note: that any use of generative AI in composing your conceptual image or portfolio will NOT be accepted.
ACA recognizes that we exist in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent. We also recognize the challenges generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) present in regard to critical and original thought, and the detrimental impacts to both people and the environment.
- As an organization that prioritizes fair wages for artists, ACA will never use AI for work that we could pay a real life artist to do (creating marketing materials, generating images, etc.).
- ACA will never use AI to adjudicate artists’ submissions, or intentionally feed artists’ work to AI.
- Due to concerns about copyright, and a desire to support original work, ACA will not entertain submissions that are created with or feature AI. AI may not be used in any stage of the creative process, including research or concept designs. Artists may not submit AI-generated text, graphics, images or animation.
For more information on AI use in the arts, we recommend the following resources:
- Canada Council Guidance on AI in Grant Applications
- Manifesto for the Protection of Authentic Creation
- Nova Scotia Health Library
- UNESCO Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
COMPENSATION
If your design is selected for digital reproduction, you will receive an artist fee of $4,000 for providing the work in a finished digital format. Artist fees will be paid in two installments, 1) upon official selection and 2) upon completion of print-ready files.
If your design is selected to be painted in situ, the artist fee will range between $5000 – $7,000, depending upon the final surface area of the mural. Artist fees will be paid in two installments, 1) upon official selection and 2) upon completion and installation of the final artwork.
The fee in both cases includes all travel and communication with program staff.
Printing and installation will be the responsibility of the Town and ACA.
TWO-TIERED JURY PROCESS
The jurying may involve a two-tiered selection process. After the first selection round, 2-3 artists may be invited to provide more detailed sketches to elaborate on their concept. These artists will be paid an honorarium of $500 each for their time. The final decision will be made by the jury after this second adjudication. If all concepts are clear from the initial application, the jury will not initiate a second sitting.
THEMATIC POSSIBILITIES
- Movement and well-being
Examine how dance and movement contribute to emotional, physical, mental and community well-being. - Diversity in dance
Explore how dance is expressed across generations, in different genres, across cultures and communities. - Dance and movement as connection
Consider the ways in which dance and physical movement connect us to each other, nature and ourselves.
Artists are encouraged to interpret these themes through their own style, medium, and perspective. The selected design should resonate with the community, celebrate local community, and inspire a sense of pride in Antigonish’s past, present, and future.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, and ACCESSIBILITY
The Town and ACA acknowledge the prevalence of representation of white/settler arts and culture. As such, we strongly encourage applications from artists who identify as Mi’kmaw, African Nova Scotian, 2SLGBTQIA+, have an exceptionality or disability, newcomers, and IBPOC.
SITE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Antigonish/Nalikitquniejk is a community situated within Northeastern Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Mi’kmaq people. This territory is covered by the treaties of Peace and Friendship, first signed between the British Crown and the Wabanaki Confederacy in 1725. Today, these treaties represent the ongoing and reciprocal relationship between the Mi’kmaq people and the Canadian State. We acknowledge that our work in the arts would not be possible without the historic support of the Mi’kmaq people towards settlers, and recognize the immense contributions of Indigenous artists and creators to historical and contemporary cultural connections of the region.
PROJECT TIMELINE FOR 2026/2027
Application Posted: September 1
Applications Due: October 7
Jury Selection Round One: October 28
Round two artists sketches due (if required): November 12
Final artists chosen: December
Final Design Due: January 5, 2027
Installation of digital reproductions/in situ painting: Spring 2027, Exact date TBD
SPATIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Artists may choose the orientation as either landscape or vertical, but may be required to adjust the orientation based on the final mural location.
Please send your application by October 7, 2026 to admin@antigonishculturealive.ca or complete the google form.
Any applicants who require extra assistance with the technology can email antigonishculturealive@gmail.com for support.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact: Melissa Kuipers (she/her), Arts Coordinator, Antigonish Culture Alive
admin@antigonishculturealive.ca