maison riverain mural / request for qualifications
Opportunity Overview
STEPS Public Art and Main + Main invite professional Canadian artists and artist teams with connections to Ottawa to submit qualifications for the first stage of a two-stage public art competition. This opportunity is for the creation of a new mural to be installed at 300 Montgomery Street, Ottawa, ON. The work of art should incorporate the character, history, environment, and culture of the neighbourhood. Artists should be from or living in Ottawa, or hold strong connections to the City. Artists must include in their application a written description of their connections to Ottawa.
Community Background
Vanier is a diverse and vibrant neighbourhood located in Ottawa’s east end. Originally established as the independent city of Eastview and later renamed Vanier, the community was amalgamated into Ottawa in 2001. Vanier was historically a francophone and working class community. The neighbourhood is now home to a mix of residential areas, local businesses, cultural organizations, parks, and social services. Ongoing revitalization initiatives, combined with its rich history and cultural diversity, continue to strengthen Vanier as an inclusive, welcoming, and dynamic urban community.
Maison Riverain is a significant new development composed of three towers ranging from 22 to 32 storeys. Once complete, it will provide over 1,000 new rental housing units for the Vanier community, alongside new retail and shopping opportunities.
Project Objectives
The mural envisioned for this project will explore Vanier’s ongoing evolution as a community and its important role within Ottawa’s contemporary identity. The artwork should reflect Vanier as a place with a rich history, a strong sense of community, and an evolving narrative shaped by the people who live, work, gather, and build relationships there.
The mural should speak to both continuity and transformation, acknowledging the layered identities, cultures, stories, and lived experiences that contribute to Vanier’s character. Artists will be encouraged to develop a contemporary mural concept that is visually compelling, locally responsive, and meaningful to residents, while also contributing to a broader conversation about place, belonging, and the future of the neighbourhood.
Artwork Theme, Scope Of Work & Site Information
The mural will be completed as part of the project’s second phase and is envisioned as a major public-facing artwork integrated onto the building. Its placement offers an opportunity to create a vibrant, highly visible work that responds to the scale, materiality, and architectural character of the development while maintaining a strong presence at street level.
The mural will front onto a new public park at the nexus of Selkirk and Montgomery Streets, in the heart of the surrounding residential area. This prominent location positions the artwork as a community landmark, contributing to the daily experience of residents, visitors, and passersby. The work should help animate the streetscape, strengthen the connection between the development and the surrounding neighbourhood, and contribute to a welcoming, engaging, and memorable public realm.
Under the theme Where We Are Going, artists are invited to explore ideas of transition, growth, movement, renewal, and collective futures. Artists may reflect on Vanier’s historic, social, and economic changes; how residents experience the neighbourhood today; and how the community imagines its future.
The anticipated mural dimensions are 20’H x 60’W. These dimensions are intended as a starting point, and shortlisted artists are welcome to propose alternative sizing based on their concept, budget, and overall vision. The artwork may also extend beyond the rectangular area to create a more organic shape. Additional site information will be provided to shortlisted artists.
Project Timeline
September 2026
- Shortlisted Artists identified by Client
October – December 2026
- Shortlisted Artist develop detailed proposals
January – February 2027
Shortlisted artist deliberations
Selected Artist chosen
Artist contract with STEPS developed
March – May 2027 (pending weather)
Selected Artist begins artwork fabrication
Artworks installed
Artwork opens to the public
Client hosts opening/celebration as necessary