CALGARY.- The City of Calgary Public Art Program invites artists to submit an Expression of Interest for the inaugural Watermarks – A Celebration of the Bow River, taking place June through to September 2010. With historic Memorial Drive as the venue, Watermarks will celebrate the cultural, historic, social and environmental legacy of the Bow River. Artists will engage viewers through the creation of temporary public art interventions that draw people to the river, create remarkable experiences and present new perspectives on current environmental issues and ideas.

The inspiration for this celebration comes from the award winning Utilities and Environmental Protection (UEP) Department Public Art Plan - launched in January 2007. The Plan is founded on the principle that public art, in collaboration with other disciplines, can create remarkable places that encourage sustainability and stewardship of the environment.

Scope of projects for Watermarks will be wide-ranging and can include:
Projects in place for the entire celebration. Shorter term projects (one hour, one day, one week, day, evening, etc.). Projects that may not require a physical place.
Changing series of opportunities. Project budgets will range from approximately $5000 to $50,000 dependent on concept, site considerations and timeline. Larger budgets may be considered.

Deadline for submissions is Monday, June 8, 2009 at 4:30pm MDT. For more information and to submit, please access and download Expression of Interest # 09-011 Watermarks – A Celebration of the Bow River from the Alberta Purchasing Connection (www.purchasingconnection.ca).

For assistance in regards to accessing the EOI document, contact the Alberta Purchasing Connection Help Desk at 780-644-5726 or via email to APC.Help@gov.ab.ca.

For submission-related inquiries. contact Daniela Kirst, Senior Buyer, City of Calgary at 403-268-5534 or daniela.kirst@calgary.ca. For project-related information and inquiries, please contact Heather Saunders, Public Art Project Coordinator at 403-268-5270 or heather.saunders@calgary.ca.