Grand River Transit invites local artists, graphic designers, and illustrators to submit their qualifications to design an original full-color digital image to be applied on a GRT bus, posters, interior bus cards, decals, and a window mural at 105 King St. E., Kitchener, in recognition of Pride Month for June 2024.
The selected artist will be paid $3,000 plus HST for their completed design.
Deadline to apply is Sunday, March 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
Background
Grand River Transit launched its inaugural Pride bus wrap in June 2022. The bus wrap is a symbol of GRT and the Region of Waterloo’s ongoing commitment to providing welcoming and inclusive spaces for all customers and staff. Pride Month is not only a celebration of the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual+ (2SLGBTQIA+) community and progress made towards equity and inclusion, but also an opportunity to reflect on the work that remains.
Bus wrap design goals
The artist will create artwork in recognition of 2SLGBTQIA+ pride to help raise awareness, foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, and provide opportunities for understanding and connection.
The design should also take into account the primary audience — transit patrons — and the site — a moving vehicle and use the theme: “Let’s Pride together”.
Eligibility
Individuals age 18 and above living in the Region of Waterloo are eligible to apply, including but not limited to visual artists, graphic designers, and illustrators. Artists should have a connection to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Technical assistance is available, but the ability to create and submit high-resolution digital files that conform to the specifications below is required. A single artist must represent those applying as a team; this includes teachers applying with students. The selected artist must be able to meet project deadlines and complete the project no later than April 30, 2024.
Grand River Transit and the Region of Waterloo are committed to engaging diverse communities and expanding the range of artistic and cultural expression represented. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free selection process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Budget
The design fee is $3,000 plus HST, consisting of a $1,000 concept design fee (inclusive of concept sketch fee) with $2,000 upon completion. The budget covers all project expenses including artist fees, reproduction royalties, an exhibition fee and all rights to reproduce the image for a one-year period. Copyright will be retained by the artist. Payments will be made by electronic transfer. All material production and installation will be paid for and managed by the Region of Waterloo.
Application requirements
The application materials must be combined into a single document, not to exceed 10 pages.
- Page 1: Statement of interest: Explain why this project is of interest to you and your connection to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; describe your potential aesthetic and conceptual approach to the project; individuals should address their ability to collaborate with others.
- Pages 2-6: Up to 10 images embedded in the document of original artwork with the following information under each visual: title, medium, year.
- Page 7-10: Up to a three-page CV or bio with your contact information, address and website and/or social media links. It should outline relevant accomplishments or experience and include two professional references with their names, affiliated organization, email address and phone number.
Applications must follow these requirements to be reviewed.
Email your single document to Melissa Murray at memurray@regionofwaterloo.ca by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, March 17, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
Selection criteria
A panel including Grand River Transit and Region of Waterloo Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion staff will select the artist. Submissions will be evaluated using a comparative assessment, as outlined below. Projects will be scored based on:
- Statement of interest/Connection to the project theme (30%)
- Strength of submitted past work (40%)
- Uniqueness and potential public appeal (20%)
- Demonstrated ability to complete the work on time (10%)
Selection process
The selection panel will review artists’ applications and may choose up to three artists or teams as finalists to create a concept sketch for the project for which they will each receive $200. The committee is not required to select an individual from among the submitting artists and reserves the right to solicit proposals from artists who do not submit, if appropriate.
Scope of work
Upon selection, Grand River Transit will provide a high-resolution design template file for the layout on the bus to the artist. The artist will then develop and submit the following materials per the project schedule outlined below:
- Concept Proposal including
- A paragraph about the intent and description of the artwork,
- An image of the original artwork and
- A mock-up of the original artwork fit within the spaces designated on the template
- Work-in-Progress including
- An image of artwork in-progress that addresses panel feedback
- Final Design including
- A final paragraph about the intent and description
- High-resolution final artwork using the provided template submitted according to the specifications below under ‘Design Specifications’
Design Specifications
The selected artist may create the full-color imagery in any medium; however, the artwork must be submitted using these applications and files types:
- Adobe CC or Illustrator (ai | eps | pdf) CMYK
- InDesign (indd | pdf) CMYKPhotoshop (psd | eps) CMYK
The image should be final dpi @ 1:15 scale @ 1200 resolution is (1200/15) 80 dpi at 100% scale.
The design must include both the Region of Waterloo logo and GRT logo, which will be provided, as well as the words “Let’s Pride together”.
Fonts must be rasterized or outlined within the artwork. All layout files must be packaged and bundled to include all linked images and fonts. Technical assistance can be provided as required.
Project schedule 2024
- Applications due March 17, 11:59 p.m.
- Finalist notification March 20
- Concept sketch due March 27
- Final artist chosen and notified, April 1
- Work-in progress artwork for review, April 15, 9 a.m.
- Work-in-progress check-in meeting, April 19
- Final design due April 30, noon
- Production preparation, April 30 to May 10
- Printing and installation, May 10 – June 1
The schedule is subject to change.
Questions?
For questions, please contact Melissa Murray, Supervisor of Marketing, Communications and Community Relations, Transit Services at memurray@regionofwaterloo.ca or 519-501-0324.