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Call for Ideas – Request for Proposals (RFP)

Artscape, in association with Zibi, invites artists from the National Capital Region and

from the Algonquin Anishinaabe communities of Ontario and Québec to submit ideas

for proposals for the design, implementation and installation of temporary and

permanent public artworks and tactical urbanism projects for the Zibi development.

CALL RELEASED: July 12, 2019

SITE TOUR & IDEATION SESSION: July 18, 2019

QUESTIONS RECEIVED BY: JULY 25, 2019

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY: JULY 29, 2019

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: August 12, 2019

BUDGET: Variable, depending on submission

URL: https://creativeplacemaking.artscape.ca/projects/artscape-atelier/

Introduction

Artscape Atelier at Zibi is a project of Artscape’s Creative Placemaking Lab whose

aim is to broaden access to procurement opportunities for artists, and in so doing,

build their capacity to respond to opportunities and to more holistically integrate

artwork into communities as they’re built (or rebuilt). In order to hone this new social

enterprise model, we are happy to have the great opportunity to pilot and test

Artscape Atelier on the Zibi site in 2019, with the hopes of learning and developing a

sustainable model for the future.

Zibi is a mixed-use redevelopment project in the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau,

straddling the Ottawa River. The site spans 34 acres, including Albert and parts of

Chaudiere Island, as well as the South shore of downtown Gatineau, formerly part of

the EB Eddy and Domtar industrial complex. Lead by Dream Unlimited and THEIA

Partners, the Zibi will be home to residents and businesses, offering extensive public

plazas and parks, as well as Canada’s first One Planet Living community, a

framework for development in harmony with the environment. The site offers a

unique chance for artists to be engaged in the creation of a brand new community

from the ground up.

As part of this pilot, Artscape Atelier at Zibi recently completed its first two open calls,

to commission artists to produce benches and bicycle racks for the Zibi site. In order

to expand our learning, Artscape is now launching this open-ended call to artists so

that the next public art project (or projects) on the site can be fully artist-driven from

the conception phase. We are excited to see the creative potential of the site through

the fresh and innovative lens of local artists and artists with unique perspectives of

the site’s heritage. We also welcome artworks in any medium that offers audiences

and/or participants experiences that inspire joy, intrigue, excitement and more.

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The Opportunity

Are you a muralist, sculptor, blacksmith, video projection artist, Augmented Reality

artist, designer, sound artist, or any other kind of creator? Do you make temporary

pop-up artworks, durable permanent artworks, minimalist artworks, maximalist

artworks, networked artworks or any other kind of artwork? Is your artwork ready to

install now? Will it only be ready in a year? Either way, we want to hear from you!

This is the third of a series of commissions designed to both engage artists in the

creation of public art for the Zibi site, and to generate insights for Artscape to hone

the Atelier model beyond this pilot phase. Artists may apply individually or in teams.

It will lead to the commissioning of one or more artist-lead projects: temporary or

permanent artworks for installation and/or works of tactical urbanism in 2019-2020.

As part of this process, a guided site visit and facilitated ideation session will be held

on July 18, 2019 to bring artists together to brainstorm ideas as well as to respond to

artists’ questions about the site and process.

This call invites you to think boldly and broadly about the artistic possibilities of the

Zibi site in both the short and medium term. Preference may nonetheless be given to

proposals that:

Can be installed in the near future (between August and October 2019)

Can be executed safely and concurrently with the ongoing construction work

Other successful proposals may be approved for installation at a later time.

Recognizing that the municipalities of Ottawa and Gatineau are built on the

traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation, Indigenous

artists and artisans are encouraged to respond to this opportunity and participate in

the development of the Atelier concept.

Project Requirements

All proposals must:

be original works whose intellectual and moral rights belong to the artist

submitting the proposal

demonstrate artistic excellence in concept, design and

fabrication/presentation

reflect the Public Art Vision

be made of non-toxic materials (see Zibi restricted materials list below) and

present no danger to the public

be offered within a total budget of between $5,000 and $50,000 (including

installation, transportation and all other costs)

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use locally and/or sustainably sourced materials wherever possible. If using

wood, it must be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) compliant, reclaimed or

reused. Artists are encouraged to use reclaimed or reused products

require minimal maintenance

be in compliance with Ontario and Quebec building codes and meet

applicable accessibility requirements (AODA, RBQ)

Works may be offered for temporary or permanent installation. In the proposal, they

must be identified as being one or the other.

Ideation Session

Artscape will invite artists from the region and surrounding Algonquin territories to

the Zibi site to participate in a walking tour of the site. This will be followed by a

facilitated ideation session whose aim is to discuss, develop and hone the feasibility

of artistic proposals that artists may be considering and/or developing, as well as to

learn more about the type of artistic activity that artists are interested in exploring on

the Zibi site in the future. It is a chance for Artscape and Zibi staff to listen and

answer questions.

The session will take place on July 18 at 1pm at the Zibi site (Gatineau side). Please

see location map below and email atelier@artscape.ca to RSVP by July 15.

Public Art Vision

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Zibi is a work in progress. We envision the site as a canvas upon which exceptional

public artworks will be layered over time. We are inspired by new ways of working

with artists to create public art and by innovative approaches to production and

presentation. We invite artists and creative place-makers to engage with the

Indigenous and industrial history of the site, as well as its urban residential future.

Zibi will prioritize environmentally sensitive works that exist in dialogue with the

surrounding physical environment or that engage with the themes highlighted in the

Heritage Interpretive Plan for the Zibi site: water, wood, paper, transport, habitat and

renewal. All public art will be for the enjoyment of all ages, and will be accessible to

all.

Budget

The budget for each proposal must include all costs. When the commission is

awarded, the artist will be responsible for all costs related to the design, engineering,

fabrication, transportation and installation of the artwork, as well as any other costs

related to the competition; for example, travel, studio fees and insurance. The

proposed budget will also include all artist fees.

Eligibility

This RFP is an equal opportunity, open to working artists living within a 200 km

radius of Zibi, and Algonquin Anishinabe artists living in the provinces of Ontario and

Québec. Participants must be Canadian citizens or have permanent residence status.

Artscape reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or part thereof, or to

terminate or re-advertise any project or call. All jury decisions will be final

We welcome submissions from professional artists working in diverse fields of

practice and with a wide range of materials and production processes, including but

by no means limited to those with expertise in handcrafting wood, stone and

metalworking in different traditions and styles.

How to Submit

Proposals will be accepted via the Submittable online platform.

To submit your proposal:

1. Create a free account at www.submittable.com

2. Then follow this link to the Request for Proposals OR find the Artscape Atelier

at Zibi opportunity by using the Search function

3. Complete the application online (once saved you can return to edit your work)

4. Submit your proposal before the deadline

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Note: To receive updates about subsequent Calls to Artists as part of the Artscape

Atelier initiative, click the ‘Follow’ button at the top right of the online submission

form and check Submittable periodically.

Required Proposal Elements

To submit your proposal, in addition to the information listed above, you will need to

provide:

- Project Title

- Contact information

- Artist/artist team CVs for each member listing relevant experience

- Portfolio of 5-10 relevant images of past works

- Drawings or renderings or photos of the work being proposed (optional:

elevations and technical drawings)

- Specific materials proposed

- Preliminary specs for secure installation onsite

- Maintenance requirements (if any)

- A detailed budget

- A proposed location on the Zibi site

- An artist statement indicating why this work is suitable for this site

- Proposed timeline and date when the work will be ready for installation

- An indication of whether the work is being offered for temporary

exhibition/presentation

Deadline and Notification

Proposals must be entered into the online platform (www.submittable.com) no later

than August 12, 2019. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. All

applicants will be notified of the results of the selection process by email.

If you are unable to deliver your submission electronically, you may submit on paper.

Please contact Artscape to make arrangements before the deadline by calling 416-

392-1038 (ext 4100) or by email at atelier@artscape.ca

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Zibi Project Vision

Zibi is using the One Planet Communities framework to guide sustainability planning

for the project. The One Planet Communities program is aimed at creating a network

of the earth’s greenest neighbourhoods. It aims to help create places where it is

easy, attractive, and affordable for people to lead healthy, happy lives within their fair

share of the earth’s resources. A One Planet Community looks not only at buildings

designed to be as energy efficient as possible, but where there are also the services,

infrastructure, and design features that make it as easy for people to live an

environmentally friendly life. A One Planet Community sets ambitious targets related

to ten guiding principles; Zero Carbon, Zero Waste, Sustainable Transport,

Sustainable Materials, Local and Sustainable Food, Sustainable Water, Land Use and

Wildlife, Culture and Heritage, Equity and Local Economy, and Health and Happiness.

Zibi Historical Context

The water routes and lands around the Chaudiere Falls area were used by First

Nations peoples for thousands of years, and had significance as a meeting place,

portage site, and trade route. Zibi is the Algonquin word for river. Due to the

cauldron-like shape of the original falls, and the spray rising from the churning water,

First Nation Peoples called Chaudière Falls “Asticou,” often translated as “kettle” or

“boiling water.” Thus, early French explorers called it “Chaudière,” meaning “kettle.”

In 1800, American entrepreneur Philemon Wright established a timber business that

rafted logs down the river to Quebec City for export to Europe for shipbuilding. The

Ottawa Valley was at one time the hub of forestry in North America.

Numerous other businesses began to realize the power potential of the falls and

river, and several more sawmills sprung up in the area, transitioning the industry

from timber into sawn lumber. The lumber business exploded and by the late 1800s

the sawmills on Chaudiere were some of the most productive in the world. Eventually

the industry wasn’t able to compete with the lumber industry in BC and declined in

the early 1900s. It was around this time that literacy rates increase and therefore so

did the demand for newsprint. Pulp and paper quickly took over as the dominant

industry and cycled up and down until the eventually collapse in 2005.

Historical leaders on the site include JR Booth (on the Ottawa side), who was at one

point the largest lumber baron in the world, and also established the first

hydroelectric generating station at Chaudière falls. On the Gatineau, EB Eddy became

a household name under the EB Eddy Match Company, he then later transitioned

into pulp and paper. The Chaudière area has a strong legacy of innovation, in which

Zibi strives to continue.

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ZIBI Restricted Materials List

Material Reason Example of uses (not

exhaustive)

Alkylphenols Acutely toxic; irritates skin, eyes

and mucous membranes. Fire retardants, Adhesives,

paints, coatings, High

performance rubber products

Asbestos When asbestos fibres are

inhaled, they may stay in the

lungs for a very long time,

causing inflammation and

eventually some very serious

diseases, including cancer.

Insulators, Fillers, Vinyl floor

tiles, Roofing and siding

shingles, Textured paint, Walls

and floors around wood-burning

stoves, Hot water and steam

pipe coverings

Bisphenol A (BPA) Bisphenol A is an endocrine

disruptor. Health-related

concern to be potential impacts

on the brains, behavior.

Epoxy resins containing BPA are

used to line water pipes,

Antioxidant in flexible PVC

Cadmium Toxicity Packing parts, Paints, inks,

Stabilizers, pigments, or dyes

used for plastics, Surface

treatment, coating.

Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)

and Chlorosulfonated

Polyethylene (CSPE)

Due to their carbon-chlorine

base, CPE and CSPE create

dioxins and furans at different

points in their life cycle which

are potent toxins to humans.

Synthetic rubber, Windows,

Doors, Below ground drainage,

Roofing material, Wire and

cable sheathing, Paint, Tubes

and tank linings, Rubber

gaskets

Chlorobenzenes Long-term exposure can cause

increased signs of neurotoxicity

and irritation of the upper

respiratory tract.

Degreaser for auto parts,

Adhesives, paints, dyes,

Polyurethane insulation

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

(HCFCs)

Ozone depleting and

greenhouse gases Aerosol cans, Blowing Agents

(e.g. insulation), Refrigerants

Chloroprene (Neoprene) Due to its carbon-chlorine base,

chloroprene contributes to the

creation of dioxins at different

points in its life cycle which are

potent toxins to humans.

Adhesives, Latex applications,

gaskets, multipurpose rubber

sheeting, bitumen

Chromium VI Toxicity Packing parts

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Formaldehyde (added) Formaldehyde is carcinogenic

and irritant to people when

presented in high

concentration.

Commonly used in composite

wood and agrifiber products.

Urea formaldehyde in glues may

emit

formaldehyde at room

temperature.

Halogenated Flame Retardants

(HFRs) HFRs are persistent

bioaccumulative toxins. Adverse

effects on neurological

development, reproduction,

thyroid hormone disruption and

possible liver toxicity.

Foam insulations, Mineral wool,

Loose-fill cellulose

Lead (added) Toxicity Lead based paints, Spark plugs,

Bearings, Brass and Bronze,

Solder, Heat stabilizer

Mercury Toxicity Packing parts, Paints, pigments

and inks, Lighting

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

(PCBS) Toxicity Adhesives, Carbonless copy

paper, Coolants and insulating

fluids for transformers and

capacitors, Cutting oils, De-

dusting agents, Flame

retardants, Hydraulic fluids,

Paints, Pesticide extenders,

Wood floor finishes.

Perfluorinated compounds

(PFCs) PFCs are bioaccumulative

toxins. The long half-life of

these chemicals in humans

(years), it can reasonably be

anticipated that continued

exposure could increase body

burdens to levels that would

result in adverse outcomes.

Fire protection agents, Floor

polishes, Paint, Non-stick

coatings

Phthalates The endocrine disrupting nature

of phthalates has implications

for childhood and reproductive

development, as well as cancer

incidence.

PVC, Adhesives, Vinyl flooring,

Wood finishes

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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC),

Chlorinated Polyvinyl chloride

(CPVC), Polyvinylidene Chloride

(PVDC)

From its manufacture to its

disposal, PVC emits toxic

compounds., which present

both acute and chronic health

hazards. During use, PVC

products can leach toxic

additives, for example flooring

can release softeners called

phthalates.

Cladding and roofing

membranes , Fencing, Flooring

and wall coverings, Heavy duty

flooring, Pipes and ducts, PVC

for labelling pipes, Window and

door profiles, Wiring and cable

insulation.

It is acceptable for external

usage

Short-Chain Chlorinated

Paraffins (SCCPS) Toxicity Printed circuit boards

Volatile Organic Compounds

(VOCs) in wet applied products

– limits set in specification.

VOCs react with sunlight and

nitrogen oxides in the

atmosphere to form ground-

level ozone, a chemical with

detrimental effects on human

health and ecosystems.

Adhesives, Bituminous coatings

and mastics, Carpet systems,

Concrete curing and sealing

compounds, Fire-retardant,

Form release compounds,

Paints and coatings, Wood

preservatives.

Creosote, Arsenic or

Pentachlorophenol (PCP). Creosote exposure is

associated with skin and

scrotum cancer in humans.

Inorganic arsenic is not only an

acute toxin; it is a known

human carcinogen.

Pentachlorophenol is linked to

liver and immune system

damage in humans.

Wood treatments, Pesticide,

herbicide