Street banner artwork call for proposals

Downtown Kitchener has a distinctive energy that makes it unique, special and instantly recognizable. We're looking for local artists to reflect this energy in artwork to be featured on vinyl banners on streetlights throughout downtown Kitchener.

On this page:

1. What we're looking for
2. Timeline
3. How to apply
4. Selection process
5. Compensation

What we're looking for

Downtown Kitchener has a distinctive energy that makes it unique, special and instantly recognizable to all who know and love it. It’s the heart of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship for the region, steeped in history and filled with pride. To reflect this energy, we are inviting local artists to submit proposals to have their artwork or design featured on vinyl banners that will be hung on light poles along streets in downtown Kitchener.

Artists should be aware that the banners may be subject to damage by the elements. Banners will be on display for approximately three (3) years. The curation, schedule, duration and location of the installations are subject to change and are at the discretion of the City of Kitchener.

The proposed artworks or designs should embody the downtown vision and guiding principles. They should speak to the connection that people have to our downtown while celebrating its vibrancy and liveliness.

We invite artists to submit up to two (2) images in total of existing artwork that would fit either or both:

• a winter theme
• an all-season theme

Downtown Kitchener guiding principles

Downtown Kitchener is guided by a set of guiding principles and vision that reflects what downtown means to all those who visit it and the role it plays in our community. A short summary of the guiding principles is below but more detailed information can be found on the downtown Kitchener website.

• Radiate vibrancy: imagine a downtown that gives off a feeling of liveliness and vibrancy every day of the week
• Cultivate connection: imagine a downtown where everyone can easily connect to the people, services and spaces they need
• Belonging: imagine a downtown where people from all walks of life feel like they truly belong

Timeline

The timeline for application and selection is below. The timeline is subject to change. Subscribe to this page to be notified if the timeline for the selection process is updated.

• Applications close: Friday, September 5, 2025 at 5 p.m.
• Artists notified: end of September 2025
• Winter banners unveiled: mid-November 2025
• All-season banners unveiled: April 2026

If you have any questions or need accommodations to apply, please send us an email or call 519-783-8302.

Your application must include:

• one high resolution digital file (see image considerations below for specific requirements) with an artwork or design for either an all-season theme, a winter theme or both

You can download the application form prior to submitting to help you prepare your submission.

Image considerations

• the submitted artworks or designs must be existing artworks or designs
• submit only artworks or designs that you have permission to reproduce
• artwork or designs cannot include copyrighted material (such as existing tv or movie characters, for example)
• the proposed artwork or design cannot include letters or words, as logos may be overlaid
• artwork created with AI software should not be included in your submission. If AI software was used to create your artwork, clearly identify that in the written description included in your submission package.
• your proposed artwork(s) or design(s) should consider the size of the printed image on 19" wide by 49.75" tall banners
• the digital file for each of the artwork(s) or design(s) submitted must:
  • be a .jpg file
  • have dimensions large enough to accommodate the size of the printed banners (above)
  • have a minimum resolution of 150 dpi
• at the discretion of City staff, the selected artwork(s) or design(s) may be cropped to fit the printed image size of the banner

Selection process

After applications close, the selection committee will choose up to twelve (12) artworks or designs. We will select six (6) all-season themed artworks or designs and six (6) winter-themed artworks or designs.

Evaluation criteria

• open to applicants from Waterloo Region only, as the goal of this program is to build and promote the development of visual arts in our area
• the submitted digital file must be of an existing completed work
• the submitted digital file can reflect a work originally created in a variety of media such as, but not limited to, painting, sculpture, drawing, illustration, photography and digital art/design, provided the digital file is of an appropriate size and resolution to be used on the final printed banners

The committee will choose images to be reproduced on banners based on:

• artistic merit
• how well each image reflects downtown Kitchener and its guiding principles
• how well each image reflects the chosen banner themes
• agreement to crop/resize the selected image(s), overlay logos at the discretion of City staff and permission to reproduce

Selection committee

The submissions will be juried by volunteer members of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and the Downtown Advisory Committee.

We will only consider submissions sent through the online application form. Selected and non-selected artists will be contacted via email once the selection committee completes the selection process.

Artwork or designs by both selected artists and non-selected artists may be considered for future projects and compensation by the City of Kitchener.

Compensation

Each design will be compensated with $500 inclusive of HST.

Fabrication and installation of the banners will be paid for by the City of Kitchener and are not included in this fee.

Upon acceptance, the selected artists will provide the City of Kitchener with an invoice stipulating the following licensing provisions:

• the successful artists retain copyright of their artwork or design
• they grant the City license to use the selected design for the purpose of creating the street banner(s) and for non-commercial promotional, public relations or educational materials such as, but not limited to, postcards, pamphlets, posters, social media or streaming platforms to promote the banner program (this means the artwork is always yours but through this program, you grant the City permission to use your artwork in this particular way)
• they grant the City an irrevocable license and right to reproduce the artwork or design in full or in part, with potential logos overlaid, on a street banner for the term of three (3) years from date of invoice
• they warrant that the submitted artwork or design does not breach any existing copyright or other intellectual property rights