City of Kitchener opens public art competition for new rec complex

The City of Kitchener has opened a call for public art submissions to be featured in the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex (KIRC), offering local artists a chance to have their work integrated into the building — alongside a hefty commission.

The first in a two-stage competition, city staff are calling on expressions of interest from established artists or artist teams with experience in the creation of public art projects. Staff are noting a jury preference for submissions from those from diverse backgrounds and origins.

That artwork at will be featured at one of three locations in the facility, set to open in RBJ Schlegel Park in 2026. Possible locations include a outdoor, ground-mounted position in a landscaped island by the facility’s north entrance, suspended above the west entrance main lobby interior, or suspended above the KIRC north entrance interior area.

The City of Kitchener has provided specifications for each location, including surrounding materials and expected visibility on the competition web page.

Open Gallery 4 items

Staff have stressed that proposed works should be “sustainable, durable, non-corrosive in nature and require low maintenance,” while also noting that the art should serve the community that will be visiting KIRC.

“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.”

Submissions for stage 1 are open until Nov. 4, with jury-selected artists/teams to be invited to continue to the second stage. Those that are short-listed to stage 2 of the selection process will be invited to prepare a more detailed proposal, including concept drawings or models, accompanied with more in depth descriptions in a presentation of work to the jury.

Those presentations, and final selection by the Public Art Working Group, Arts and Culture Advisory Council are set for summer of 2025, later heading to city council for approval.

The selected artist or artist team for the KIRC public art competition will receive a commission of $300,000, to cover applicable fees and costs, while those short-listed by the jury are said to be eligible for a “stage two fee” of $1,200 to cover “preparation materials and any time required to develop further and present an idea.”

An information session on the public art competition will be held at Kitchener City Hall on Sept. 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Applications for the first stage can be submitted online, or by delivery or mail.