The selected artist will design, fabricate, and install a permanent public artwork, incorporating existing low-profile concrete planter frames located in the median.

“Given the site’s function as active transportation infrastructure, the project carries important design considerations. The artwork must maintain clear driver sightlines, discourage physical interaction, avoid visual confusion with traffic control devices and withstand year-round exposure to sand, salt and winter maintenance. The final installation must also be safe, durable and maintainable without requiring future lane closures,” the City says.

More details have been provided below by the City of Lethbridge:

Project Overview
Location: 13th Street underpass at Highway 3
Budget: $90,000 + GST (inclusive of all project costs)
Submission Deadline: April 28, 2026
Installation Deadline: September 30, 2027
Two-Stage Selection Process

Stage I – Request for Qualifications Artists are invited to submit:

A Letter of Intent
A current CV
Up to 10 images of relevant past work

Submissions will be evaluated on experience, demonstrated excellence and overall suitability for the project.

Stage II – Final Design Proposal (Shortlisted Artists Only) Shortlisted artists will receive an honorarium of $2,500 + GST to develop a site-specific final proposal. An in-person site visit will be required, with travel reimbursed.

Final proposals will be evaluated on artistic merit, originality, safety and durability, feasibility within budget and timeline, and responsiveness to the site’s unique conditions.

Who Can Apply

The competition is open to Canadian professional visual artists, as defined by the Canada Council for the Arts. Individual artists and artist teams are eligible.

Project Timeline
RFQ Posting: February 27, 2026
Qualification Submission Deadline: April 28, 2026
Shortlist Notification: Mid-May 2026
Site Visit: Late June 8-18, 2026
Final Proposal Submission: October 2, 2026
Commission Award and Announcement: November 2026
Installation Complete: September 30, 2027

Most of the funding for this project comes through the City’s Public Art Program.

This initiative continues the City of Lethbridge’s commitment to integrating art into civic spaces, enhancing public infrastructure with meaningful, high-quality artistic experiences.

Full details, eligibility requirements and submission instructions are available through the City of Lethbridge’s procurement portal.