Brantford Public Art Commission - Telephone Anniversary
City of Brantford seeks artists for $135,000 public artwork celebrating 150th anniversary of telephone invention in Alexandra Park.
The City of Brantford has launched a two-stage, open competition for Canadian artists to create a public artwork commemorating the 150th anniversary of the telephone's invention. This significant commission offers a project budget of $135,000, covering all costs directly associated with the artwork creation. The commissioned piece will be permanently installed in Alexandra Park, with fabrication beginning in January 2026 and installation scheduled later that year. The competition is facilitated by STEPS Public Art, a Canadian charity specializing in public art projects. A unique mentorship component pairs the selected artist with a local emerging artist who will assist during fabrication and installation phases. The selection process involves a panel of arts professionals and community members who will evaluate applications based on artistic excellence, relevant experience, and demonstrated ability to create innovative public art that complements the community context. This Stage 1 selection focuses on artist qualifications rather than specific proposals. The opportunity seeks to honor Alexander Graham Bell's historic invention while creating a meaningful addition to Brantford's public art landscape. Selected artists will work within the overall design scheme while developing an engaging artwork that resonates with both the historical significance and contemporary community values.
Submission Guidelines
Canadian artists/artist teams must submit application form through STEPS Public Art website. No proposals required for Stage 1. Applications reviewed based on artistic excellence, relevant experience, and ability to create innovative public artwork complementary to community context.
How to Apply
1. Step 1: Visit stepspublicart.org/project/brantford-public-art to access the application form
2. Step 2: Complete the online application focusing on artistic excellence and relevant public art experience
3. Step 3: Submit application by September 28, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST deadline
Application & Contact
Application URL: https://stepspublicart.org/project/brantford-public-art
Contact: Collin Zipp at collin@stepspublicart.org
Source: https://www.brantbeacon.ca/city-looking-for-artists-to-honour-anniversary-of-telephone/