Waterloo Park Promenade Art Walk
The City of Waterloo invites artists to submit their artwork for the Waterloo Park Promenade Art Walk, an outdoor gallery celebrating local artists, creativity and the stories that shape our community.
A total of 24 local artists will be selected to showcase their work as part of this call. Selected artwork will be professionally printed and displayed on existing light standards along the trail, creating an engaging art experience for park visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
Artists working in all disciplines are welcome to apply, provided their work can be reproduced as a two-dimensional image. Artwork can be new, existing or previously exhibited, but must be original and must be owned and created by the applicant.
While this opportunity is open to all applicants, priority will be given to those who live or work in Waterloo Region and can demonstrate a connection to the community.
Project Background
Known as the jewel of the city, Waterloo Park is a beloved community destination featuring a lake, picnic areas, a splash pad, sports fields, playgrounds, local wildlife and more. The Waterloo Park Promenade extends from Caroline Street to Seagram Drive. This paved, illuminated multi-use trail provides an ideal setting for an outdoor art gallery that invites visitors to experience art as part of their everyday park visits.
Download the park map (PDF) for more details.
The goals for this project aim to:
- create vibrant, welcoming public spaces for the community to experience and appreciate local art
- create community spaces for residents to make connections with local artists
- provide opportunities for passive engagement with art in existing municipal spaces
- create a unique destination within Waterloo Park
- encourage safe engagement with municipal spaces
- share the unique stories of Waterloo Region through the perspectives of participating artists
Applicants are encouraged to explore one or more of the following themes:
- natural heritage features of Waterloo Park
- stories and collective memories of Waterloo’s past, present or future
- active transportation, cycling or alternative modes of transportation
- movement, connectivity and pedestrian friendly spaces
- bright, bold and engaging images
- public engagement, gathering spaces and community building
Scope of Work
Artists are invited to submit one original artwork for consideration. Submissions will be reviewed based on their artistic merit, visual appeal and connection to the project. A total of 24 artists will be invited to share their artwork as part of this opportunity.
- Artist fee: $400 per artist
- Final artwork size dimensions: 25 inches wide × 32 inches high
Artwork may be new, existing or previously exhibited, but must be original, created by the applicant and owned by the applicant. Artwork created through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is not eligible for this program.
If selected, artists may be asked to provide a higher-resolution image suitable for printing. Artists will retain all rights to their original artwork and final design while granting the City of Waterloo permission to reproduce the selected image for formatting purposes and its promotion.
Submission Requirements
Application deadline: November 20, 2026 by 5 p.m.
Artists must submit the following:
- one completed application form
- one image for consideration. Please include the artist(s) name and title of work.
Incomplete submissions may not be considered. Submitted materials will not be returned.
Selection Process
Submissions will be reviewed and scored based on the following criteria:
- artistic merit - quality, originality and overall visual impact
- connection to project themes and site restrictions
- ability to carry out project in required format and dimensions
- aesthetic considerations and visual appeal for outdoor public setting
Questions?
If you have questions about the application process or submission requirements, please contact sonya.poweska@waterloo.ca.
Additional reference materials:
City of Waterloo Public Art Policy
City of Waterloo Culture Plan
Artists are encouraged to join the Create Waterloo Artist Roster to stay informed about future artist calls, workshops, professional development opportunities, events, resources and more.
