BMX Mural

The St. Albert BMX track is located at 41 Riel Drive, St. Albert

This opportunity is open to visual artists residing in Alberta. Artists should be based in or near St. Albert to collaborate effectively with the project team and complete the mural, as travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the artist and will not be reimbursed additional to the overall budget of $25,000.00.

Preference will be given to artists who have demonstrated experience in creating murals, working collaboratively with project teams and managing similar sized budgets.

All eligible submissions are reviewed by a selection committee and are stewarded by City staff. Selection Committee members are chosen on a project-by-project basis to reflect our artistic and cultural communities who live, work or play in proximity to the proposed artwork.

Submissions will be rated out of a possible 90 points according to the evaluation criteria.

The selection committee has the right to not award any of the submissions and the City reserves the right to cancel/reissue this opportunity at any time.

The artwork will be selected though a one-stage selection committee process. The Selection Committee will include visual arts professionals, BMX track users and community members. All decisions of the Selection Committee are final. All applicants will be contacted to confirm submission results. Artists will be evaluated as per the following criteria for a total of 90 points:

1. Understanding of the project: 30 Points
   • Why this opportunity appeals to the artist.
   • How the artist’s background and practice will contribute to this project.
   • Understanding of the project’s social context within the community.
2. Project experience: 30 points
   • Demonstrated experience with community engagement.
   • Demonstrated experience painting large scale artworks.
   • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with project teams, work to a schedule and deliver a project on budget.
3. Artistic practice: 30 points
   • Artist statement.
   • Artists CV and up to 10 images of past work. 
   • Demonstrated artistic excellence in contemporary art practice, demonstrated flexibility of practice, responsiveness to contextual opportunities.

Submissions will only be considered if received before the submission deadline on March 16, 2025 at 23:59 MST.

The artist or artist team will be paid a total of $25,000 + GST for the development of their concept, all materials and the painting of the mural. They will be paid based on the deliverables listed within their Scope of Work.

The successful artist will create a vibrant mural that captures the spirit of BMX. The mural will span the entirety of the concrete base of the start hill, which has three sides. The mural is temporary, and is expected to last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, adding visual interest and vibrancy to Riel Recreation Park.

• To create a fun, dynamic and considerate mural that captures the spirit of BMX.
• To enhance the BMX track and provide a point of visual interest to those visiting the track, and those walking, biking or driving along Riel Drive.
• To celebrate artists residing in Alberta and encourage community members and visitors to visit the BMX track, promoting the City’s liveability while inspiring creativity and interest in trying a new sport!

The artist or artist team will be responsible for the coordination and execution of the painting of the mural within schedules provided. Fall arrest safety training certification must be provided prior to commencing the physical work. The City of St. Albert will be responsible for preparation of the wall prior to painting, and providing and coordinating scaffolding and anti-graffiti coating.

To ensure the public art project meets project goals and the requirements of the Public Art program, the artist or artist team will be required to work closely throughout the project with the Visual Arts Coordinator and other internal business partners and community partners.

Before the confirmation of the award, the selected artist or artist team will be required to:

• Complete a Scope and Fee contract defining project deliverables and payment schedule.
• Sign a City of St. Albert Artist Agreement, which includes Artist General Terms and Conditions.

BMX racing is an exciting, high-speed sport where riders race on dirt tracks filled with jumps, berms (banked curves) and other obstacles. BMX stands for Bicycle Motocross, and the sport originally evolved from motocross racing in the 1970s, with young riders imitating their motocross heroes on bicycles.

The Track

BMX tracks are purpose-built dirt tracks that vary in length but typically measure around 350 meters (1,150 feet) long.

The tracks are designed with a series of jumps, ramps and berms, making for an exciting and challenging race environment. Riders need strong bike handling skills to navigate the terrain at high speeds.

The Race

Races are typically short and intense, lasting between 30 seconds and one minute, depending on the track's complexity and length.

Competitors race in heats, with the top riders advancing to the finals. BMX racing is a head-to-head competition with a high level of strategy, as racers often need to anticipate their opponents' moves.

The Bikes

BMX bikes are lightweight and built for speed and manoeuvrability. They typically have 20-inch wheels, knobby tires for traction and a single gear.

BMX bikes are smaller than normal bicycles because the riders never sit down and need to be nimble on the bike.

Categories

BMX is a sport for the whole family. Athletes between the ages of five and 65 regularly compete at local tracks, at provincial races or even at national events across Canada, the USA and around the world.

Races are organized according to age groups and skill levels, so everyone can compete on a fair and competitive basis.

The Olympics

BMX racing was officially added to the Summer Olympics in 2008, further raising its global profile. In Olympic competition, riders race on a track with a mix of jumps and tight turns, competing for the gold, silver and bronze medals.

The Skills

BMX racers are explosive athletes with extremely powerful legs for pedalling and strong arms for pumping and jumping over track obstacles. The sport requires quick reflexes, balance and the ability to make split-second decisions while riding at high speeds.

Community & Culture

BMX racing has a strong community element. Riders often bond over the shared experience of racing and training together. Local clubs and events foster a sense of camaraderie among participants, from beginners to seasoned professionals.

The City of St. Albert believes that art can directly influence the way that people see and connect with each other and their community. Public art highlights what is unique about the places where people live, work and play. This in turn supports tourism and economic prosperity through the activation of public spaces.

The City supports the display and development of public art that contributes to our community’s connection to public spaces and fosters a sense of belonging and wellbeing.

Welcoming Inclusive Communities

The City of St. Albert believes in the advancement of a fair and equitable society that promotes respect for all citizens, strengthens the community, reduces causes of disadvantage and inequality, and ensures that all citizens in St. Albert thrive and enjoy the best quality of life possible. We embrace diversity and are proud to be an inclusive and accessible gathering place of people. We want everyone to know that they are welcomed in St. Albert and that it is okay to be yourself.

Located on Treaty Six Territory

St. Albert is located on Treaty Six Territory, the traditional home of the Cree, Dene, Anishinaabe/ Saulteaux, Nakota Isga/ Nakota Sioux and Niitsitapi/ Blackfoot nations and homeland of the Métis. The First Nations and Métis peoples referred to the valley where St. Albert sits as Payhonin, meaning A Gathering Place.

Your submission must include the following:

1. Contact Information
   Including your full name, address, postal code, phone number and email address.
2. Letter of Interest (up to 500 words) 
   Demonstrated interest, experience, and understanding of the project: Why this opportunity appeals to the artist; How the artist’s background and practice will contribute to this project; Knowledge of or connection to the project’s place; Experience in working to a schedule, ability to deliver a project on time, and ability to collaborate with project teams.
   Upload this to the online form.
3. Artist Statement (up to 300 words) 
   Detail your practice and personal style, what does your work mean to you and the community? Demonstrated artistic excellence in contemporary art practice, demonstrated flexibility of practice; responsiveness to contextual opportunities.
   Upload this to the online form.
4. Current Resume or Artist CV (curriculum vitae)
   A record of your professional experiences and artistic achievements.
   Upload this to the online form.
5. Visual Documentation
   Up to 10 images of past work, which should be combined into a single PDF. One image per page is preferred.
   Upload this to the online form.
6. Visual Documentation List
   Image list. All visual documentation must be itemized and correspond as a list on a separate pdf document and includes the title, medium, date of each work.
   Upload this to the online form.
7. Acknowledgements
   Confirm you have read and fully understand the Evaluation and Award information and the Terms and Conditions.
8. Submit Your Application
   Carefully review what you've filled out and uploaded to the online form. Once you've confirmed everything is correct, please confirm your signature and hit the submit button. 

Please note:

• Prior to the submission deadline all questions or concerns regarding the technical or other aspects of the project or the proposal process shall be submitted to a Visual Arts staff member at publicart@stalbert.ca
• Submitters are responsible for ensuring that their proposals are received prior to the submission deadline.
• Artwork concepts (proposals) are NOT required as a part of this application. The successful artists will develop their concepts after being selected.