HomePage / Parks, Rec & Culture / Public Art / Temporary Public Art Program

Temporary Public Art Program

Call for 2025 Temporary Public Art now closed.

Call for 2025 Temporary Public Art (PDF)

The Temporary Public Art Program offers artists of diverse backgrounds and skillsets the opportunity to create artwork for public spaces in Nanaimo. Artists can propose artworks that vary in scale, scope, and medium, including temporary sculptural installations, social practice and community engaged artist projects and artwork that is integrated into landscape, architecture or civic infrastructure.

The Temporary Public Art Program supports artists in the creation of new works, by providing necessary resources and staff support through the course of project development and realization.

Temporary Public Art 2024

Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, Siwul tu Tumuxw

"Siwul tu Tumuxw" by Eliot White-Hill's is a sound installation that will recontextualize space and our understanding of Snuneymuxw tumuxw, the land upon which the City of Nanaimo has been built. Site-specific installation using outdoor speakers and recorded sounds of species of animals, birds, and insects Indigenous to the area, will be discretely placed at sites throughout the Old City Quarter. These sounds will serve as an artistic intervention in the urban landscape, drawing traditional Snuneymuxw knowledge and stories about the land back to the surface. The artist seeks to raise awareness and knowledge about the environment and ecosystems of the region, the impacts of colonization, and traditional teachings passed down by Snuneymuxw. The project will be installed in Old City Quarter in 2024 and on display for public engagement and enjoyment for up to five years. 

Robert Turriff, Re-wilders

"Re-wilders" by Robert Turriff will involve the creation of a collection of sculptural creatures, the shape and form of which will be developed through community workshops. Inspired by themes in science fiction, the creatures will symbolically engage in plant management, demonstrating tasks like invasive plant removal and native plant cultivation, thereby fostering resilience to climate change and encouraging beneficial environmental habitats. The creatures serve as catalysts meant to inspire the community, illustrating practical steps for future land stewardship. Free community workshops will enhance the project, helping the artist craft the creatures form and mythos, and in doing so, evoking a sense of environmental responsibility. This collaborative effort encourages the community to actively contribute to the project, inspiring action for a sustainable ecosystem in Nanaimo. “Re-Wilders” will be installed in Colliery Park in 2024 and on display for public engagement and enjoyment for up to five years.

Expand all

Temporary Public Art - Past Years

Questions? 

Find out more about the process! Contact us directly at 250-755-4483 or cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca. 

Don't miss an opportunity to get involved in upcoming Public Art projects with the City of Nanaimo. Subscribe to receive Love Arts Nanaimo Updates and follow us on Instagram at @prc_nanaimo to stay up to date!

Contact Us

Culture & Events
250-755-4483
cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca

Last updated: August 12, 2024

Thank you for your assistance. One of our website team will look into the reported issue shortly. Loading animation

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.

Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.