Expressions of Interest for Rotary PoMo Skatepark Mural
/ORGANIZATION: City of Port Moody
DEADLINE: October 2, 2025
WEBSITE: https://www.portmoody.ca/arts-culture-and-heritage/art-in-public-spaces/public-art-calls/
CALL FOR ARTISTS:
I. Introduction
The City of Port Moody invites artists or artist-led teams (to a maximum of 3 artists) to submit an expression of interest to create a public art mural for the Rotary PoMo Skatepark Park with youth from the community. Artists who identify as Indigenous, Two-Spirit, racialized, LGTBQIA+ or disabled are encouraged to apply. Artists with demonstrated experience working with youth will be given priority.
II. Project Vision and Background
SK8 Park Mural Project is a collaborative initiative that unites local youth (ages 13 – 18) with a professional artist to express their creativity and contribute meaningfully to their community. This project is a collaboration with the City of Port Moody’s Youth Focus Committee, and the artist(s) with support of municipal staff. Guided by a professional artist, youth from the community will collaborate to design a large-scale mural reflecting their shared vision of the natural world of the West Coast. The final artwork will be unveiled in June 2026.
All artist applications will be reviewed on artistic merit of past work; professional qualifications and experience in community-based art; ability to work with youth in collaborative settings; and demonstrated capacity to coordinate and complete the project.
III. Project Concept
The Rotary PoMo Skatepark mural project is an initiative under the City of Port Moody’s Public Art Program, guided by the Art in Public Spaces Master Plan. This project seeks to create a vibrant, inclusive, and engaging mural that reflects the spirit of the community and enhances the cultural landscape of the skatepark.
This initiative will take a collaborative and youth-focused approach, encouraging participation from local youth in the concept development and creation of the mural. By working with an experienced artist, youth will have the opportunity to express their voices, creativity, and identity in a meaningful and visible way.
IV. Project Goals and Objectives
The goals of this project are to:
Collaborate with the Youth Focus Committee;
Create a design using the theme: Natural World of the West Coast;
Engage the viewer; and,
Provide an artistic amenity for the enjoyment of residents and visitors to the park.
The objective of this project is to:
Meet the goals of the City’s Art in Public Spaces Master Plan, which is to “activate spaces with the arts”;
Reflect the theme - Natural World of the West Coast: Rocky Point Park is Port Moody’s flagship park and a popular destination to enjoy the Burrard Inlet. The natural environment of the park and Inlet is home to a variety of flora, fauna and wildlife.
V. Public Art Opportunity
The artist leading the project will conduct two hands-on workshops with youth to collaboratively design the mural. The selected artist must be available to lead a workshop on Friday, February 27, 2026, to coincide with the City’s Mayor’s Youth Summit at Port Moody City Hall, 100 Newport Drive. The mural will be unveiled to the public in June 2026. The design will be painted on an exterior wall measuring approximately 6.1 m x 18.3 m.
VI. Project Budget
A budget of $15,000.00 is designated for this project. The budget is inclusive of all project costs including, but not limited, to artist fees, engagement workshops, production time, project management, all materials, equipment, and equipment rental (scaffolding or lift) required to complete the mural.
VIII. Election and Commissioning Process
An Artwork Jury comprised of the Youth Focus Committee will review submitted materials. Three artists, or artist teams, may be shortlisted on the basis of, but not limited, to, the following components:
a. Artistic excellence, innovation and creativity of approach as demonstrated in past work and shown in submitted materials.
b. Quality of recently completed projects, including demonstrated adherence to schedules, deadlines, and execution.
c. Ability to create artwork appropriate in concept, materials and scale for the identified opportunity.
d. Good communication skills and a desire and ability to work with other people.
e. Availability to attend design meetings (if needed) with City staff and Youth Focus Committee.
f. Availability to prepare preliminary design concepts by April 2025, and to engage with youth in February and March and complete mural by June 2026 for an unveiling ceremony.
Short-listed artists or artist teams will be invited to present examples of their past work and outline their approach to collaborating with youth. Presentations should demonstrate the artist’s ability to engage young people in a creative process, foster a collaborative environment, and translate shared ideas into a cohesive mural design. Artists are encouraged to highlight any previous experience working with youth or in community-based projects. Artists are not expected to provide design concepts or present finalized artwork at this meeting. Artists, or artist teams (max 3 individuals) will receive $100 per artist to attend the initial meeting and meet with the Youth Focus Committee.
The Jury may choose an artist or artist team to collaborate on the final mural. The selected artist or artist team enters into a contract agreement with the City of Port Moody to develop the mural for a fee of total of $15,000.00.
The City of Port Moody and the Artwork Jury reserve the right not to award this commission at the time of the preliminary design concept presentations.
Where the artist(s) are selected for this project, the agreement is contingent on proof of the following:
a. Required insurance, including $5,000,000 Commercial General Liability insurance; and,
b. A clear and current Police Information check with the vulnerable sector screening.
HOW TO APPLY:
VII. Requirement and Submission of Credentials
Artists interested in this project must prepare and submit the following:
a. A Letter of Interest, no more than one page in length that explains the artist’s interest in this project and provides a general idea of their understanding of the design theme concept. Please do not submit any design proposals or artwork at this stage. The artist must also confirm their availability on Friday, February 27, 2026, and during June 2026 for mural completion.
b. A current resume, or CV, including a portfolio of up to 10 images of the artist’s work. Each photograph must be numbered.
c. Artists applying as a team may submit up to 15 photographs of their work.
d. A numbered photograph list with the artist’s name, title, date, medium, size and, if a commissioned project, the commission contract cost and location.
Submissions must be a single PDF document no larger than 5MB. Please submit PDF materials by email. All hard-copy submissions will be retained by the City of Port Moody for the period of one year. The PDF must be labelled with the name of the artist or artist contact and the subject line of email must include Rotary PoMo Skatepark Mural 2026.
PDF submissions must be received by email to communityartscoordinator@portmoody.ca no later than 4pm on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Hard copy submissions must be delivered to the address below by Thursday, October 2, 2025:
Sara Graham
Community Arts Coordinator, Cultural Services
City of Port Moody, 100 Newport Road, Port Moody, B.C. V3H 5C3
FEES/COMPENSATION:
There are no fees to apply. The selected artist or team will receive $15,000.
