The public artwork will be visually impactful, situated within a busy corridor, and will help to animate and improve the Robert Bruce Memorial Parking Garage, create a new point of interest in the downtown core, and foster a pride of place for all who pass through and engage with this space.
Robert Bruce Memorial Parking Garage Public Art Project
Open Call for Expressions of Interest for the Robert Bruce Parking Garage Public Art Project. Call closes Friday March 28, 2025, at 5 p.m.
The Robert Bruce Memorial Parking Garage is a two-level parking garage in downtown Kingston. We maintain the facility and recently invested in maintenance and restoration upgrades. The site for the artwork faces onto Bagot Street, a busy streetscape and the downtown transfer point for Kingston Transit.
As part of the City’s Public Art program, we will invite professional artists and artist teams based in Kingston and surrounding areas to participate in a two-stage open call to develop artwork for the exterior. Once installed, the artwork will be seen from the ground level by pedestrians, transit users and those passing through the space.
Background
For this project, we ran a community focus group in September of 2024 to determine the scope, goals, and themes for this project. You can review the Community Focus Group Report to learn more.
Project details and artwork site
We maintain the Robert Bruce Memorial Parking Garage and recently invested in maintenance and restoration upgrades. The site for the artwork faces onto Bagot Street, between Brock Street and Princess Street.
The artwork space is the 10 flat concrete panels on the second level of the front exterior of the parking garage. Each concrete panel measures 72 inches / 182.88 centimeters (width) by 51 inches / 129.54 centimeters (height).
The artwork will be produced on di-bond panels which we will install across the 10 existing panels using a custom framing structure.
After the first stage of the selection process, we will provide artists with an appropriate fee for creating their work. We have determined these fees in accordance with the CARFAC National Public Art Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule.
Selection process
This is a two-stage competition for professional artists and artist groups who work in two-dimensional media. City staff will appoint a selection panel composed of arts professionals and community representatives who will make all decisions throughout the process and determine the finalist.
Stage 1: Request for expression of interest (EOI)
We invite artists and artist groups to submit an EOI outlining their artistic practice, creative approach for this project and examples of their previous work.
The selection panel will shortlist up to three (3) applicants and invite them to Stage 2 of the selection process.
Stage 2: Request for design proposals
Shortlisted artists will create a detailed proposal and receive an artist fee for their Stage 2 submission. The selection team will share these proposals, giving residents the opportunity to provide feedback.
The selection panel will consider the proposal that best responds to the site, both conceptually and technically, as well as community feedback to reach a final decision.
We expect to select and announce the successful artist by the end of June 2025.
Stage 3: Contract and realization
The finalist will receive a design contract and an artist fee for the artwork. We will coordinate the printing and installation of the final works.
Project timeline
Timeline is subject to change at the discretion of City staff.
- February 24 – Launch of Expression of Interest (EOI) as Stage 1
- March 14 - Artist's Information Session
- March 28 – Deadline for EOIs
- April – Selection panel shortlists artists for Stage 2
- May – Stage 2 draft proposals due and public engagement process
- June – Final submission deadline
- End of June – Final selection and design contract awarded
- July and August - Art production
- September – Installation and unveiling
Accessibility information
We will provide accommodation throughout the commissioning process to applicants with disabilities. Please contact us for any accommodation requests or general inquiries.
Contact
Public Art
publicart@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-0000
The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.
