Squamish General Hospital

2025 - Call for Indigenous Artist

PROJECT

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking an Indigenous artist from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw to design digital artwork to be printed and displayed at the Squamish General Hospital, including but not limited to the five locations indicated below, in and around the maternity ward.
The project team aims to:
(1) Honour the Host Nation on whose territory the facility is located; and

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


ARTIST ELGIBILITY CRITERIA

Host Nation

Identify as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw


OPPORTUNITY

Opportunity is to incorporate Indigenous artwork for the five locations below, in and around the maternity ward of the Squamish General Hospital, to create 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 learn more about the site and its services. The selected artist will be asked to develop a concept that reflects themes that are based on previous engagement with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw elders, mothers, fathers and the Squamish Primary Care Team.


CONTACT

Abbey-Jane McGrath, Leader, Community Engagement, VCH

abbeyjane.mcgrath@vch.ca


2025 Artwork Projects for Vancouver Area

Description of location / services

Opportunities for Artwork

Squamish General Hospital

  • The artwork opportunity is to create five independent digital art pieces to be printed and displayed at locations throughout the Squamish General Hospital, including but not limited to the five locations indicated below, in and around the maternity ward. The project aims to create a welcoming and inclusive space for clients seeking services at the site.
  • The artist that is selected will meet with the project team to discuss the themes for the artwork, which were arrived at through engagement with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw elders, mothers, fathers and the Squamish Primary Care Team.

To design five artworks for installation throughout the Squamish General Hospital (please see appendix 1), with VCH responsible for installation.

Artist design fee: Up to $12,000.

This fee includes wall mural designs, and reproduction rights for all five artworks. Reproduction rights include rights to print any and all of the five digital wall mural designs and display at the Squamish General Hospital indefinitely. This includes reprinting of the designs to replace original versions should they become damaged, and printing of the designs to display at locations throughout the hospital, as may be identified in the future.

Application Deadline: November 15, 2025

SUBMISSION PROCESS

  1. Expression of Interest


  • Contact information: Full name, email and phone number
  • Nation Affiliation: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw
  • Biography about you, your digital design experience and your interest in this artwork opportunity.
  1. Submission Guidelines

Provide 4 – 6 samples of previous digital work that has been completed. Include at least two Coast Salish traditional designs.

  • Include details of the samples provided (e.g., size, location, software used).
  • At least two Coast Salish traditional design(s)
  • Artist must identify as a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw member

Submission

Please send an email containing the information above to: abbeyjane.mcgrath@vch.ca

SELECTION CRITERIA

The artist will be selected by a panel including representatives that Identify as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and 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. Note: preference may be given to applicants who have not been awarded a VCH artwork project contract in the last six months.

Artistic knowledge based on samples provided

Coast Salish art design

DEADLINE

Application Deadline: November 15

Estimated Decision: January 19


APPENDIX 1 – Artwork Placements

Case Room 1:

Case Room 2:
Note: Outcropping not included in artwork

Obstetrics Clinic Room 108:

Assessment Room 119:

Operating Room Hallway: