Artist call: 2D artwork for Launch Pad 2026

Application guidelines

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  Who can apply

  This call is open to all:

  • Vancouver-based artists
  • Artists from xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), or səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)

  Education or training requirements

  Applicants must have either:

  • Graduated within the last year from a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), or fine arts diploma program
  • Within the last year, completed a formal or informal apprenticeship program
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  Submission requirements

  What to submit

  • Submit up to 2 artworks for consideration
    • Files must be in landscape orientation, sized at max 2MB (approximately 15.24 cm x 30.48 cm (6 in x 12 in) at 100 dpi), in JPG or TIF format
    • File name format: LastName_FirstName_Title
  • Include a current CV (maximum 2 pages)
  • Include an artist statement (maximum 250 words)

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  If you're selected

  Final artwork file requirements

  • Provide high-resolution production files in JPG or TIF format
  • Minimum size: 30.48 cm × 60.96 cm (12 in × 24 in) at 300 dpi
  • Artists are responsible for any scanning or photographic documentation needed to meet these specifications

  Artwork specifications

  • Proposed artwork must fit a 1:2 horizontal landscape format
  • Billboards measure 304.8 cm x 609.6 cm (10 ft x 20 ft)

  Artist agreement

  Selected artists will be required to sign a contract with the City of Vancouver.

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  How to apply

  1. Combine your image files, CV, and artist statement into a single compressed .zip file
  2. Name the file: LastName_FirstName.zip
  3. Email the file to publicart@vancouver.ca by Monday, July 7, 2025 at 4pm PST. Use the subject line: Launch Pad – Artist name

  Information icon Only 2 artwork images will be accepted per artist

  Questions? Email publicart@vancouver.ca

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  Commission overview 

  A selection panel will choose up to 20 artists. Selected works will:

  • Be presented in groups of 5
  • Appear on 5 billboard faces along the Arbutus Greenway
  • Be displayed for approximately 2 months each

  Selected artists will:

  • Receive a $1,500 artist fee for each print-ready digital file
  • Have all printing and installation costs covered by our Public Art Program
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  Selection criteria

  Proposals will be evaluated by a diverse panel of artists and arts professionals with experience in Public Art.

  Selection will be based on these criteria:

  • Submitted images are the correct orientation for this opportunity
  • Strength and creativity of the submitted images
  • Work has been completed within the last 2 years
  • Work has not been previously exhibited
  • Images are respectful of the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations and reflect the continuation of their living culture in this region

  Information icon As a City of Reconciliation, we recognize that we are on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations. All proposed artworks will be situated on these traditional territories. Proposals do not need to be led by Indigenous artists or address Indigenous art or culture; however, they should be mindful of this ongoing colonial context.

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  About our guiding framework: Culture|Shift

  As part of Cultural Services, the Public Art Program operates under the umbrella of Culture|Shift: Blanketing the City in Art & Culture, our 10-year cultural plan (2020 to 2029).

  Culture|Shift recognizes that everyone has a role to play in reconciliation and decolonization and offers the chance to be deeply mindful of how arts and culture is conducted upon these lands, acknowledging the role culture plays in shaping place and a shared sense of belonging for all people. 

  Learn more about the framework

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  Legal disclaimer

  Interested artists are advised that neither the City nor the selection panel is obliged to accept any of the artists' proposals and may reject all proposals. Each artist is advised, and by the submission of a proposal agrees that the City will not be responsible for any costs, expenses, losses, damages (including damages for loss of anticipated profit) or liabilities incurred by the artist as a result of or arising out of submitting a proposal, or due to the City's acceptance or non-acceptance of their proposal, or arising out of any contract award not made in accordance with the expressed or implied terms of the artist call. Until a written contract in a form satisfactory to the City is executed by both the City and artist, no legal rights or responsibility shall be created between the artist and the City.

  Confidentiality: All documents submitted by Applicants to the City of Vancouver become the property of the City. The City will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of each application and the information contained therein except to the extent necessary to communicate information to staff and peer assessment committee members for the purposes of evaluation and analysis. The City will not release any of this information to the public except as required under the Province of British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or other legal disclosure process.