About | Guidelines | Apply
About this Call
Theme: A Transit Through Time
“I wrote myself in since I’m me and I’m here and I’m writing.”
— Octavia Butler, beloved sci-fi author who wrote diverse characters into her stories in a time when the genre struggled with portrayals of ethnicity and class, and a lack of female protagonists.
The tenacity of Black creativity and ingenuity have shaped the world we live in. We are the result of what came before us and part of the sum of what will be.
What accomplishments, innovations, events, and characters inspire you? How are you or communities around you carving their own legacy? What do you believe the future holds?
A Transit Through Time invites artists to submit works exploring what came before us and what we’re building towards.
Guidelines & Details
All content must be family-friendly and appropriate for public space. Concepts should enhance the overall public environment and pedestrian streetscape experience, and should be easily visible and accessible to the public. Applicants must choose new or recent works that haven’t been showcased in this scale or capacity before.
Deadline: November 13, 2024.
Call is open to Black Artists only.
Art will be displayed at Union Station’s West Wing
Details & Guidelines
- Six artists will be chosen for this open call by a jury.
- Each artist will receive an honorarium of $2,500.
Format
- Submissions should have a portrait aspect ratio.
- All submissions should be in JPEG or PNG format.
- Art must be able to be reproduced and printed on vinyl for the site. Artists will not be permitted to paint/directly alter the art surface. The art will be printed on vinyl and affixed to aluminum panels.
Criteria
- Artwork should meet the artistic and heritage integrity of the building.
- Artwork will be approved using the following criteria: Aesthetic Quality, Concept & Theme Cohesion.
- Artwork should serve to anchor and activate its site.
- Artwork should enhance the overall public environment and pedestrian streetscape experience.
AI Policy
MakeRoom embraces the creative use of new technologies to enhance artistic expression. Acceptable use of AI in an open call will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Any use of AI must be accurately disclosed and described at the time of submission.
In the case of doubt about the use of AI to create the submitted artwork, MakeRoom may request more information. Failure to provide the requested information within 2 business days may result in disqualification.
MakeRoom reserves the right to disqualify any entry that has been entered in violation of these requirements.
Legal
- The artist acknowledges that TD Bank is the exclusive financial institution sponsor Union and therefore the artist may not seek or promote, or include logos from a sponsor of a competing financial institution.
- All artwork will be approved by the Union programming team.
Apply
Sponsors
About Toronto Union
Union is transforming into a destination that features the best of where Toronto is going with the latest arts and cultural programming, food, retail and innovation trends to be found under one roof in a historic yet modern meeting place in the heart of the city.
Union is committed to reflecting the diversity of Canadians through our multidisciplinary programming vision. This vision encourages and celebrates creativity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility through our free year-round events that showcase Toronto’s cultural scene. Our goal is to strengthen the connection between public art and civic engagement, ultimately striving to create connectedness amongst our communities.
About TD
AT TD, we are committed to making a positive impact for the customers and communities we serve. With diversity and inclusion at the heart of our values, we are committed to supporting Black Communities, Customers, and Colleagues. Learn how TD is supporting Black Communities at TD.com/Blackexperiences .
About MakeRoom Inc
MakeRoom Inc. is a curatorial agency & arts organization whose mission is to provide space to BIPOC and Emerging Artists to display their work, as well as provide funding opportunities.
Follow us on Instagram: @MakeRoomInc