Request for Qualifications: Robie + Jubilee Permanent Public Art Commission, Halifax

Overview

PEJK Real Estate invites professional artists and artist-led teams from across Canada to submit qualifications for a $120,000 permanent public art commission at the corner of Robie Street and Jubilee Road in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The selected artist or team will create a bold, original and enduring artwork for a new nine-storey residential building at a highly visible central intersection near Dalhousie University, Saint Mary's University, the QEII Health Sciences Centre, the IWK Health Centre and established residential neighbourhoods.

The Commission

The designated clay-brick feature area is approximately 29 ft 6 in high, extending approximately 10 ft 6 in along the Robie Street face and 9 ft 6 in along the Jubilee Road face. The artwork must wrap the corner or meaningfully engage both elevations as one integrated composition. Surface-mounted, projecting, dimensional, sculptural, illuminated, mixed-media and other approaches may be considered. The completed work must be durable, secure, vandal-resistant and reasonably low-maintenance, with a designed service life of at least 25 years, suitable for Halifax conditions including wind, wind-driven rain, salt exposure, snow, ice, freeze-thaw cycling and ultraviolet exposure.

Budget

The total project budget is $120,000 CAD, including HST and all costs associated with the commission (artist fees, design development, engineering, fabrication, materials, transportation, installation, insurance, permits, documentation, warranties, contingency, three Stage 2 honoraria and applicable owner-direct project costs).

Selection Process

This is a two-stage selection process. Stage 1 is a Request for Qualifications; applicants must not submit a site-specific concept at this stage. Three shortlisted artists or artist teams will each receive a $1,500 CAD honorarium to develop a preliminary site-specific concept and participate in a virtual presentation. One shortlisted artist or team will then be selected to complete design development, approval coordination, fabrication and installation.

Stage 1 Application Requirements

• A statement of interest of no more than two pages describing the artist's practice, interest in the opportunity and capacity to deliver a permanent exterior artwork of this scale.
• A current CV of no more than three pages for each artist or core team member.
• Up to ten images of relevant completed work.
• An image list stating the title, date, location, client, materials, dimensions, budget and a brief description for each work.
• A brief description of experience managing design development, consultants, fabrication, transportation and installation.
• Contact information for two professional references.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to professional artists and artist-led teams residing in Canada. Individual artists and collaborative teams are welcome. Emerging artists may apply where their team demonstrates the technical and project-management capacity necessary to complete the commission.

Key Dates

• Stage 1 Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 11:59pm AT
• Three shortlisted artists notified by: September 16, 2026
• Shortlisted concepts due: October 7, 2026
• Virtual presentations: Week of October 12, 2026
• Final artist selection: October 21, 2026
• Anticipated Installation: September – October 2027

How to Apply

Email the complete application to [email protected] with the subject line "Robie + Jubilee Public Art RFQ – [Artist/Team Name]". Questions may be directed to Spencer Meens at the same email address.