Once unsightly utility boxes around Nanaimo are getting a makeover. The City is looking for talent to spruce up several types of public urban spaces through its newly launched Urban Design Roster. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

arts and culture

City of Nanaimo seeks applicants for new urban art program

Aug 22, 2021 | 10:12 AM

NANAIMO — Calling all emerging and established artists, the City of Nanaimo wants to hear from you.

The City is piloting its Urban Design Roster program to identify artists who want to beautify public spaces like utility boxes, civic buildings, manholes and other small-scale urban street objects

Allison Collins, the City’s culture coordinator, said applications are open until Monday, Aug 30 for different kinds of artists with various styles and skill levels.

“This is definitely a good way to get into public art for the first time,” Collins said.

Not only will otherwise bland public spaces be enhanced, but Collins said another benefit of filling in areas is crowding out unwanted graffiti, which costs the City money to remove.

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“Adding a wrap to bins, which lasts many, many years, can have a little upfront costs but in the end it sometimes saves us quite a bit of money in terms of labour and time,” Collins said.

The art roster program will see projects assigned on a case-by-case basis for different kinds of public image-making projects, like murals and graphic design.

Successful applicants will be informed next month, while their work will come to fruition next year and in 2023, with Collins hoping the initiative will be around long-term.

An enhanced utility box at Maffeo Sutton park by Noel Brown is an example of the small-scale work the City’s Urban Design Roster is looking for. (City of Nanaimo)

Collins noted establishing a talent bank of capable urban artists was advanced by various City departments, who saw the value in adding personality to civic projects around the community.

“Kind of like a bringing together of those different disciplines and the roster is one conduit that can bring those kinds of people together,” Collins said.

Artists in the program will be compensated for their work.

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