About | Guidelines | Apply
About this Call
Theme: Black Dreams and Aspirations
Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly.
–Langston Hughes
In collaboration with Union Station and TD, MakeRoom is proud to present this year’s Black History open call.
We are excited to work with our partners to create space for black exploration, imagination, and inspiration. The hopes we had in the past, individually and collectively, shape our present. The hopes we have in the present can shape our futures. The ability to create something new, something better, depends on our ability to imagine it.
What does it mean to dream while Black?
We invite artists to submit works exploring the meaning and significance of black dreams and aspirations. What are the hopes we have for one another? For ourselves? What do our individual and collective imaginations look like? What are the aspirations that have shaped us? How do black dreams and aspirations evolve with age and time? How can we dream collectively?
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: December 08, 2022.
Call is limited solely to Black Artists
Art will be displayed at Union Station’s West Wing
Submission Guidelies
- Twelve artists will be chosen for this open call by a jury.
- Each artist will receive an honorarium of $2,500.
- Two collections will be curated for this open call.
- Six artists will be selected by a jury for each collection.
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.
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’re on a journey to help build an inclusive future for everyone. With diversity and inclusion at the heart of our values, we’re committed to driving positive, sustainable change, for Black Communities, Customers, and Colleagues. Learn how TD is celebrating and supporting Black Communities all year round 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