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

Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital Emergency Department

PROJECT

Vancouver Coastal Health is seeking an Indigenous artist from shíshálh Nation to design artwork for a mural in the emergency department waiting area.

The project teams aim to:

(1) honour the Host Nations on whose territories the facilities are located; and

(2) create a welcoming and inclusive space for Indigenous clients seeking service at the sites.

ARTIST ELGIBILITY CRITERIA
Host Nation	Identify as shíshálh Nation member
Samples of art	Provide four to six mural examples of artistic ability

OPPORTUNITY

Opportunity is to design a vinyl mural (digital print ready) that contributes to a welcoming and culturally safe space for clients seeking services at this location. This initiative aligns with Recommendation 10 from the In Plain Sight Report, emphasizing the inclusion of Indigenous artwork, signage and territorial acknowledgment.

The timeline, project milestones and payment schedule will be determined according to the selected project and agreed upon in a contract to be finalized upon the selection of the Indigenous artist.

Note: The selected artist will be invited to meet with the VCH team to collaborate on a theme.

CONTACTS
Jennifer Alsop, Clinical Project Manager	Jennifer.Alsop@vch.ca
Sue Richardson, Indigenous Engagement Leader	Susan.Richardson@vch.ca

2025 Artwork Projects

Description of location / services

Opportunities for Artwork

Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital Emergency Department

Vancouver Coastal Health is seeking to incorporate Indigenous artwork into the newly renovated emergency department.

The theme will explore connections related to the history of the land where the facility is located.

To design a digital (print ready) mural for the emergency department waiting area (see appendix 1). VCH will be responsible for printing and vinyl installation.

Artist design fee: $ 5,000

Application deadline: August 29, 2025

Artwork draft due: End of September, 2025

Artwork final design due: Mid October, 2025

SUBMISSION PROCESS
Expression of interest	Contact information: email and phone number Nation affiliation: shíshálh Nation Brief statement about your work, your interest in this artwork, your experience with digital design.
Previous art experience	Provide 4-6 digital artwork examples, if available, of previous work that has been completed. Include details of the samples provided (e.g. size, location, materials). At least two Coast Salish traditional design(s)
Submission Please send an email containing the information above to Jennifer.alsop@vch.ca and susan.richardson@vch.ca

SELECTION CRITERIA

The artist will be selected by a panel including representatives from VCH. The panel will review the submissions and select the artist. The artist will then be notified and scheduled to meet with the team to discuss 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

Artistic knowledge based on samples provided

Appendix 1

Northeast Mental Health & Substance Use- Vancouver Community

The Northeast Mental Health and Substance Use Team- Vancouver Community is seeking Indigenous framed artwork.

The project teams aim to:
(1) honour the Host Nations on whose territories the facilities are located; and

(2) create a welcoming and inclusive space for Indigenous clients seeking service at the sites.

Opportunity:

The Northeast MHSU team is seeking hung artwork that reflects health and wellness and connection to the land to install at its Vancouver Community office. 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

Indigenous

CONTACTS
Tracy Adams	tracy.adams@vch.ca
Janine Sam	Janine.sam@vch.ca

2024/2025 Artwork Projects for Vancouver Area

Description of location / services

Opportunities for artwork

The Northeast Adult MHSU Team is located in the Goldcorp Centre for Mental Health at 2750 East Hastings St. Other services that are co-located in this building include child and youth mental health and substance use, eating disorders, and early psychosis intervention.

Clients who visit the Northeast team are offered assessment, treatment and support from an interdisciplinary team. Services are client-centred, goal-oriented, innovative, culturally safe, trauma-informed, involve families, and use psychosocial rehabilitation and harm reduction philosophy and practices.

Multiple pieces of hung artwork will be selected to be displayed throughout the facility (please see appendix 1 for pictures of the space).

Compensation: Up to $1500 per art piece

Submission deadline: August 8, 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 This call is open to local First Nations, as well as urban Indigenous, Inuit and Métis artists New and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
Submission Please send an email containing the information above to tracy.adams@vch.caand Janine.sam@vch.ca

SELECTION CRITERIA

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

Criteria

Indigenous artist

DEADLINE

Application deadline: August 8, 2025
Estimated decision: End of August 2025

Appendix 1 - sample office locations

Acorn House - Lookout Society Artwork

Lookout Society is seeking Indigenous framed artwork and small carvings 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
Indigenous

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: Extended August 08, 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 Indigenous artist 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.

DEADLINE

Application deadline: Extended Aug 08, 2025
Estimated decision: End of August 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.)