Brantford Public Art Commission - Telephone Anniversary
$135K commission for public artwork celebrating 150th anniversary of telephone invention, includes mentorship component for emerging artists.
The City of Brantford is commissioning a public artwork to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the telephone invention. This $135,000 project, facilitated by STEPS Public Art, will be installed in Alexandra Park with fabrication beginning January 2026. The opportunity features a unique mentorship component where a local emerging artist will be selected to assist during fabrication and installation phases. This two-stage open competition is available to Canadian artists and artist teams. A Selection Panel of arts professionals and community members will evaluate submissions based on artistic excellence, relevant experience, and ability to create innovative, engaging public art that complements the community context. Artists will be shortlisted through scoring criteria and panel deliberation. The project seeks artwork that honors the historical significance of the telephone while creating a vibrant addition to the community. Installation is scheduled for later in 2026. All costs associated with the artwork are included in the budget, making this a comprehensive commission opportunity for established artists while supporting emerging talent development.