Seeking Indigenous Artists - Current Call for Artists and Registration for Future Calls

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is currently seeking First Nations artists from Musqueam, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw or Tsleil-Waututh. Our art opportunities vary a wide range, depending on the facility, and may encompass vinyl wall applications, mural paintings, carvings, glasswork throughout the facility, and much more.

Whether you're an experienced artist with a rich portfolio or just beginning your creative journey, we invite you to submit your expression of interest for our open Calls for Artists (using a computer, located on the menu to the right or using mobile device scroll down past the registration button). To stay updated on upcoming Calls for Indigenous Artists, please register below.

BACKGROUND

Creating safer spaces is an integral part of the work we do to support Indigenous clients, patients and families to feel comfortable, seen and valued. In order to contribute to a welcoming and culturally safe environment for those seeking our services, and in furtherance of recommendation 10 from the In Plain Sight Report, Vancouver Coastal Health is actively promoting call for artists from the Host Nations on where our services and facilities are located within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, Shíshálh, Skatin, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa to design artwork throughout VCH facilities.

If you have any questions, please contact ce@vch.ca

We wish to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Musqueam, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa.

BACKGROUND

If you have any questions, please contact ce@vch.ca

Acorn House - Lookout Society Artwork

Lookout Society is seeking First Nations framed artwork and small carvings from Musqueam members to install at the ACORN (Lookout Housing & Society) location.

Description of opportunity:

Acorn is seeking hung artwork for multiple locations that reflects health and wellness and connection to the land to install in the Acorn House facility. The artwork is intended to help create a welcoming, inclusive space for clients seeking services at the site and to enhance the healing environment of the centre.

ARTIST ELGIBILITY CRITERIA
Host Nation	Identify as Musqueam

CONTACTS
Gary Jimenez	Gary.Jimenez@lookoutsociety.ca
Acorn House	AcornHouse@lookoutsociety.ca

2024/2025 Artwork Projects for Vancouver Area

Description of location / services

Opportunities for artwork

Acorn House used to be the Ward 5 at Oak Care Centre (formerly known as George Pearson Centre).

Acorn House opened last December 2024. It’s a 16-bed licensed care facility and of our 16 clients, 6 identified as Indigenous.

Multiple pieces of hung artwork will be selected and 2 small carvings to be displayed throughout the facility (please see appendix 1).

Compensation: Up to $2,000 per art piece

Submission deadline: July 11, 2025

SUBMISSION PROCESS
Expression of Interest	Contact information: email and phone number Biography about yourself and your artwork
Submission Guidelines	Artists to submit photos of the finished art piece(s) along with their respective costs Artist must be a Musqueam member. New and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
Submission Please send an email containing the information above to AcornHouse@lookoutsociety.ca.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The artwork pieces will be selected by a panel including representatives from the Lookout Society. The panel will review the submissions and select the artwork pieces. The artist will then be notified to discuss the purchase of the artwork.

If you have been awarded a contract for an art project with VCH in the last six months, please note we may give preference to new applicants.

Criteria

Coast Salish art design (Musqueam)

DEADLINE

Application deadline: July 11, 2025
Estimated decision: July 18, 2025

APPENDIX 1 – Artwork Placements

ACORN is seeking hung artwork and wood carvings that reflects health and wellness and connection to the land to install in the ACORN House facility. The proposed location is in the hallway space, and common room.

Hallway for Indigenous Artwork				Common Room Cabinet

FRAMED ARTWORK	QUANTITY	LAYOUT	PLACEMENT
3 ft. x 5 ft.	3	Portrait	West side Hallway
4 ft. x 6 ft.	2	Landscape	East side Hallway
4 ft. x 3 ft.	2	Portrait	East-end Hallway by Common Room Entrance (The 2 items on this wall can be art or any wall décor. If art, measurement is 4 ft. x 3 ft.)

CARVINGS	QUANTITY	LAYOUT	PLACEMENT
32 in.	1	N/A	Upper display cabinet – common room
24 in.	1	N/A	Lower display cabinet – common room

Lions Gate Hospital Wall Mural
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking a First Nations artist from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw or Tsleil-Waututh Nation to design artwork for Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver.
Description of opportunity:
VCH has identified a free-standing wall along a pedestrian pathway on the Lions Gate Hospital campus to feature an Indigenous artwork mural created by an artist from the Host Nations. This initiative aims to foster culturally vibrant and inclusive spaces for all clients seeking services at the site. The primary goal is to enrich the environment through the integration of Indigenous art, in line with the recommendations of the In Plain Sight report emphasizing the inclusion of Indigenous artwork, signage, and territorial acknowledgment.
The opportunity is to create a digital design (print ready) for the following dimensions: 9m wide and 5m tall (please see photo), with VCH responsible for printing and vinyl installation.
Artist design fee: $5,000
Application deadline: June 20, 2025
Artwork draft due: June 2025
Artwork final design due: July 2025
Location:
The particular space of interest is an outdoor free-standing concrete wall along a pedestrian pathway at LGH. The dimensions of the ‘Blast Wall’ are 9m wide and 5m tall.
Theme:
The selected artist will be asked to develop a concept that reflects the themes developed in collaboration with VCH staff and long-term care residents at a few engagement sessions. The artist will be invited to and encouraged to attend the engagement sessions to help guide the development of themes for the new art piece.
Expression of interest:
To submit your expression of interest, please email shannon.sahota@vch.ca:
- Contact information: your email and phone number
- Nation Affiliation: Squamish or Tsleil-Waututh
- Brief statement about your work and your interest in this artwork
- Previous art experience: if available, four to six samples of previous completed work and include details of the samples provided (e.g., size, location, materials); at least two should be Coast Salish traditional design(s).
Additional Photo:
View of Evergreen Long-term Care Home