We’re building a new multi-purpose recreation facility in southwest Kitchener. We’re seeking expressions of interest to create a public art commission at this new facility.
On this page:
- Project background
- Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex
- Public art location options and site considerations
- Selection process
- Selection and construction schedule
- Compensation
- Eligibility and submission requirements
- Application
- Reference materials
Project background
We invited artists or artist teams to apply for consideration by a project jury in the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex (KIRC) public art competition. The open call for expressions of interest is now closed.
This call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) was open to established artists or artist teams with experience creating public art projects. The jury will give preference to submissions from diverse backgrounds and origins, specifically Black, Indigenous, and racialized individuals, 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, and people with disabilities or disabled people. To support our efforts to create inclusive spaces and encourage applications from individuals with intersectional identities seeking equitable representation, proposals from artists or teams that represent other equity-deserving groups can also self-identify.
Our public art program
Public, accessible art makes Kitchener a lively and engaging city. The public art program is funded through a percent-for-art policy, which produces artworks specific to civic facilities and spaces. Our objectives for this program are to support communities, culture and artists, to represent a diverse community and to improve the quality of life for all residents through:
- the integration of public art in prominent public spaces and neighbourhoods
- facilitating a fair and informed public art selection process
- supporting public art design standards that prioritize high quality, sustainability, inclusivity, accessibility, place keeping and community interactivity
KIRC is eligible for new artwork through our public art policy. We are commissioning an artist or team to create site-specific artwork through an open competition. This competition is publicly promoted, and the invitation to submit proposals was open for 90 days starting Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
Please send us an email or call 519-741-2200, ext. 7424, if you have any questions about this project.
Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex
In April 2024, Kitchener city council approved the construction of KIRC, expected to open in late 2026. The facility will be located at RBJ Schlegel Park, where existing outdoor amenities include two soccer fields, a multi-purpose turf sports field, a cricket pitch, four outdoor courts, a splash pad and other play areas.
KIRC aims to serve hundreds of thousands of residents and support a greater diversity of sports and physical activities in the community with these exciting new amenities:
- a FIFA-sized indoor turf fieldhouse that divides into four fields for sports such as soccer, cricket and lacrosse
- an aquatics centre with a community leisure pool, a separate lane pool and several viewing galleries
- an elevated walking track around the turf field perimeter
- a cricket batting cage to support the local development of this rapidly growing sport
- a multi-purpose space for community events, family parties or other rentals
KIRC will be one of the most sustainable recreation facilities in Canada, operating at a high level of energy efficiency through a geothermal heating and cooling system. It will also house our largest array of solar panels, which will reduce 22 tonnes of carbon annually and save the city close to $100,000 in utility costs every year.
Learn more about the KIRC project:
The photo gallery below includes renderings of the facility:
Public art location options and site considerations
Our goal is to collect artwork commissions that are responsive to the spaces where they are located and their public uses. The KIRC design aims to balance grandeur with approachability, featuring flowing canopies and curved exteriors, careful orchestration of natural light and inclusion of natural wood tones, plus green roofs and pollinator gardens. The landscape design is influenced by the role of water in sustaining life and its connections to land, humans and wildlife. Through its vision and realization, KIRC will celebrate recreation, diversity and sustainability.
There are three locations where public artworks could be sited at the facility:
- ground-mounted in a landscaped island outside the north entrance
- suspended above the KIRC interior main lobby at the west entrance
- suspended above the KIRC interior north entrance area
Expressions of interest should propose artwork(s) for one or more identified sites. We cannot accommodate artworks proposed for other areas of the facility or park spaces.
Location one: Ground-mounted outside the KIRC north entrance
An approximate 10m by 4m area within a landscaped island could accommodate an artwork with a maximum height of 5m from the ground. This location would be subject to east-facing exposure and potentially dominant winds. Artwork proposed for this area will need to consider durability against wanted and unwanted interaction.
Caption: Rendering of KIRC north entrance exterior with potential artwork location one identified by a red cuboid
Caption: Rendering of KIRC north entrance exterior with potential artwork location one identified by a red cuboid
Location two: Suspended above the KIRC interior main lobby at the west entrance
An approximate 7.3m by 4.3m area could accommodate an artwork suspended from the curved wood ceiling. The ceiling height in this location ranges from 6.4m to 7.2m, and artwork would be limited to hanging no lower than 3m above the finished floor. Up to 16 anchor points could be accommodated with a maximum hanging weight of 300kg per anchor.
The main lobby will include cross-laminated spruce panels as exposed structural walls and a curved slatted oak fin ceiling. The lobby will include view corridors throughout the building, including the exterior, aquatics centre, field house and second floor. As the hinge point of circulation throughout the building, this is a critical area with high visibility and impact for all visitors.
Caption: Renderings of KIRC main lobby interior with potential artwork location two identified by a red cuboid
Location three: Suspended above the KIRC north entrance interior area
An approximately 4.3m by 4m area could accommodate an artwork suspended from the ceiling. The ceiling height in this location is 10.5m from floor level, and artwork would be limited to hanging no lower than 3m above the finished floor, with a maximum weight of 300kg per anchor and the number and location of anchors to be determined.
The space is centred above an interconnected opening that highlights the north entrance and is flanked by the main reception to the west and a concessions counter to the east. At the mezzanine level, this artwork would be surrounded by north- and east-facing glass, allowing some visibility from the exterior park spaces.
Caption: Rendering of KIRC north entry interior area with potential artwork location three identified by a red cuboid
Land acknowledgement and Indigenous archeology
Kitchener is located on the traditional territory of Chonnonton (aka Attawandaron or Neutral), Anishinabek (Mississauga peoples) and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy) peoples. The Haldimand Tract, an area that includes six miles on either side of the Grand River from its mouth to its source, was promised to Six Nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, Cayuga and Tuscarora) and other Aboriginal allies in 1784 as compensation for their loss of land during the American Revolution. Before the 1780s, Haudenosaunee and Anishinabek people shared this area for fishing, hunting, trapping and living, adhering to a philosophy known as the “Dish with One Spoon” treaty. Before the destruction and dispersal of their nation by the 1650s, the Chonnonton or “keepers of the deer” numbered about 40,000 people.
RBJ Schlegel Park and the future KIRC site are located on the Haldimand Tract. An archeological site was uncovered in 2020 during the nearby reconstruction of Fischer-Hallman Road south of Bleams Road. The site has yielded more than 50,000 Indigenous artifacts, which provide evidence of a Late Woodland Iroquoian longhouse village used in the 1300s to 1600s, along with indications of prior habitation and use for thousands of years. The village covered an area of up to two hectares and artifacts indicate farming of corn and beans, fishing and hunting, cooking in decorated ceramic pots over hearths, and use of tools including pipes, arrows, knives, drills and jewelry.
Kitchener continues to be the home of a variety of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples from across Turtle Island. The treaty people who live in this area include Indigenous peoples, new immigrants and immigrants from past generations including those brought here involuntarily during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, and settlers.
Other site considerations
Public safety is a priority in the acquisition of artworks for our collection. We prefer artworks that are sustainable, durable, non-corrosive in nature and require low maintenance. In addition, a core purpose of installing public artwork in this location is to support an accessible, welcoming and equity-affirming space that can be enjoyed by people from any cultural background, ethnicity, class, social disposition or recreational ability.
KIRC will aim to support the recreation needs of equity-deserving residents and family experiences by offering affordable options tailored to specific populations and incorporating spectator and viewing areas in the facility.
City staff review and site support requirements
We will conduct a technical review of eligible proposals before the jury reviews stage two artwork proposals.
Before city council approves and signs a contract commissioning a public artwork at KIRC, the selected artist or artist team must demonstrate to our review staff that the technical requirements can be met in the final production of the artwork, its fabrication(s) and installation. Staff will support selected artists or teams during this process, but if these requirements cannot be met to the satisfaction of the city’s technical reviewers or KIRC project development team, no commission will proceed.
At our discretion, the selected artist(s) must provide detailed design drawings of the artwork sealed by a professional engineer licensed to practice in Canada. This may include detailed design and engineering for all anchoring or other installation requirements. With our consultants, we will review all engineered installation details to ensure compatibility with the site. The selected artist or team will work with the consultants to coordinate their work with the design intent and to generate all sealed drawings required by our team.
The installation will be implemented with support from our staff. The artist or team will provide consultation during the installation process. An approved contractor must complete the contracted installation of the artwork.
Selection process
The creation of public art for KIRC will be achieved through a two-stage competition administered by the City of Kitchener:
- stage one
- call for expressions of interest from artists or teams of artists
- the jury selects qualified artists or teams who are invited to continue to stage two
- stage two
- short-listed artists or teams must prepare detailed concept drawings and/or maquettes, accompanied by textual descriptions, and present their work to the jury
- selected artists will be paid for this work
The jury’s final recommendation will proceed to our Public Art Working Group and Arts and Culture Advisory Committee for support before being reported to city council for final approval.
Once approved, we will prepare a contract with the artist or artist team. The artist or artist team must carry third-party liability insurance for two million dollars and, if applicable, provide us with a GST/HST registration number.
The selected artist or team will work with the KIRC architectural and construction teams to achieve a successful public art installation.
We reserve the right to end the competition at any stage. In such a case, we will notify the artist(s) who have submitted proposals as necessary.
Jury composition
A public art jury ensures a fair process through balanced participation and discussion of all eligible submissions. The jury’s responsibility is to assess submissions and select a proposed artwork based on its artistic appeal, project practicality and other identified criteria.
Staff will assemble the jury to include:
- one member of our Public Art Working Group
- one member of our Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
- two visual arts professionals of different disciplines
- one representative of the KIRC development team
- one representative of a resident-led recreational association
- one councillor representing community services
Jury evaluation criteria
Jury members will independently evaluate the EOI submissions from artists or teams against the criteria outlined below using a three-colour rating system (green for yes, yellow for maybe, red for no) and other rating inputs (including juror commentaries). Proposals identified as preferred potential options by that initial evaluation will be discussed in further detail by jury members at a meeting to determine the most suitable, practical, intriguing and enduring proposals. Up to five proposals rated highest by the jury will advance to stage two.
Stage one evaluation categories include:
- artist or team qualifications and ability to produce high-quality artwork(s)
- artistic merit of the proposed concept to enhance or activate public space
- proposal alignment with core KIRC themes of recreation, diversity and sustainability
Stage two evaluation categories include:
- artist or team capacity to successfully complete and install their proposal
- artist or team capacity to collaborate with project design professionals
- appropriateness of the scale, visibility and/or presence of the artwork
- appropriateness of the proposal to the budget, scope and timelines available
- suitability and sustainability of material and maintenance requirements
- general technical feasibility (durability, assembly, safety, accessibility)
The jury may find that none of the submissions fulfill the project criteria. In this case, we may re-open the selection process.
Prioritizing equity-deserving artists or proposals is a distinct criterion that staff will advise the jury to apply during the process, with the goal of improving the representation of distinct identities in our public art collection.
Selection and construction schedule
Detailed designs of the KIRC have been completed, a groundbreaking event was held in May 2024, and construction will be well underway as the artwork selection process progresses. Technical requirements related to proposed artworks may need to be accommodated before the completion of a contract with the selected proponent, so all artists or artist teams selected to participate in stage two may need to be available for consultation before the process concludes.
Installation timing will be determined in collaboration with the KIRC project team.
The public art selection process will proceed as follows:
- Wednesday, August 7, 2024: open call for Expressions of Interest released
- Thursday, September 12, 2024: open call info session at Kitchener City Hall Conestoga Room
- Monday, November 4, 2024: deadline for receipt of submissions to the open call for Expressions of Interest
- January 2025: selection of artists or teams for stage two of the public art competition
- March 2025: deadline for receipt of detailed proposals from stage two artists or artist teams
- March/April 2025: technical review of stage two proposals and analysis of electrical or structural needs
- April/May 2025: stage two artist presentations to the jury, followed by deliberation and selection
- Summer 2025: presentation of the selected artist(s) to the Public Art Working Group, Arts and Culture Advisory Council and city council for approval
- Fall 2025: legal agreement prepared for selected artist(s) by City of Kitchener solicitor
Compensation
The commission available to the selected proponent(s) of the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex public art competition is $300,000. This amount must cover:
- artist’s or team’s design or production fees
- insurance and legal fees
- material costs
- studio and storage costs
- fabrication costs
- transportation of the artwork to the site
- installation costs
- subcontractors’ fees related to the design, engineering or production of the artwork
- documentation (photography of work-in-progress, finished work, material specification sheets, maintenance schedule, etc.)
- artist or team travel expenses and meeting time
Our staff will support the installation logistics. The artist will consult with our staff during the development and installation process.
Second-stage reimbursements for detailed proposals
Artwork proposals short-listed by the jury for more detailed development and consideration (up to five artists or artist teams) are eligible for a stage two fee of $1,200 per selected artist or team. This fee should cover preparation materials and any time required to develop further and present an idea.
Artists or teams that progress to stage two are expected to meet with the KIRC production team to review technical questions or considerations that require integration with the facility design, utility systems or construction schedule.
Eligibility and submission requirements
The competition is open to artists or artist teams with experience creating site-responsive public art projects.
The winning artist or artist team must carry liability insurance for two million dollars, be prepared to enter into a legal agreement with the City of Kitchener, and, if applicable, have a GST/HST registration number.
Artists currently contracted to produce another public art project for the City of Kitchener are ineligible until their current contract is completed. We may waive this condition for an artist or team in exceptional cases.
Submission requirements for stage one EOI
To be eligible for stage one consideration by the jury, applications must include:
- letter of interest (maximum two pages or 1,000 words) highlighting your artistic practice, relevant experience and a description of the idea you would want to produce in response to this public art opportunity
- summary of credentials or qualifications relevant to the project, or a Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages)
- current contact information (email and phone, plus website if applicable)
- a preliminary estimated budget to produce the artwork proposed
- no more than 10 high-resolution image or video files that illustrate past public art projects and preliminary sketches or renderings of your proposed artwork concept, ideally contained within a single PDF document that includes information for each image (title, size, medium, location, year created)
- two letters of reference from administrators of past public art projects or other sponsors of your artwork(s)
Artists or teams preparing a submission should keep in mind that jurors may have a limited time to read and consider each proposal to ensure a fair evaluation of all applicants.
Application
The open call for Expressions of Interest is now closed. Visit our Calls for proposals page to explore other opportunities.
Reference materials
You can use the reference materials listed below to help develop your submission:
- KIRC north entry rendering (location one)
- KIRC north entry close-up rendering (location one)
- KIRC main lobby rendering one (location two)
- KIRC main lobby rendering two (location two)
- KIRC north entry interior rendering one (location three)
- KIRC north entry interior rendering two (location three)
- KIRC project update report
