Transportation Investment Corporation (“TI Corp”), on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (the “Ministry”), seeks to commission up to eight (8) professional Artists or Artist Teams to create site-specific public artworks; one (1) per station for up to eight (8) SkyTrain stations for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain (SLS) Project.

Interested Artists are invited to submit a Response to this RFQ to be evaluated and determine if they will be pre-qualified and be shortlisted as Qualified Artists to be eligible for a subsequent solicitation, if any. Only Qualified Artists will be contacted and may respond to a subsequent solicitation.

Background

The Surrey Langley SkyTrain Project (“SLS” or the “Project”) will extend the Expo Line 16 kilometers primarily along Fraser Highway on an elevated guideway from King George SkyTrain Station in Surrey to 203 Street in Langley City. TI Corp is delivering this major infrastructure Project, which will improve the transportation experience, increase access to opportunities and housing, support healthy communities and environment, and spur economic development for the Metro Vancouver region.

Public art is a key component of the SkyTrain system and is featured at many stations and/or station plazas along the existing SkyTrain network, including all existing Millennium Line stations. The City of Surrey, Langley City, Township of Langley, and TransLink are Project Partners, and all parties are collaborating with TI Corp on the delivery of the Public Art Program. The Design-Builder of the Stations contract will also have an active role in the Public Art Program.

The Project is located within the asserted traditional territories of the Katzie First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, Matsqui First Nation, Musqueam Indian Band, Semiahmoo First Nation, and Tsawwassen First Nation. The Province is working directly with these Indigenous Groups to support separate and parallel selection processes in relation to Indigenous Cultural Recognition at the future station sites. Stations that are to include Indigenous Cultural Recognition art opportunities will be excluded from the public art call.

For more information on the Project, visit gov.bc.ca/surreylangleyskytrain

Goals and Vision for the Public Art Program

Public art for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain Project should achieve the following goals and objectives:

• Demonstrate artistic merit;
4 • Delights and inspires transit users and local communities;
• Develops a sense of place, community pride and identity;
• Respects Indigenous connection (past, present, and future) to these areas within ancestral lands;
• Enhances passenger experience, the station environment, and neighboring communities;
• Integrates thoughtfully with transit station structures;
• Stands the test of time and meets the operational and maintenance requirements of TransLink; and
• Is delivered within the approved budget and within established Project timelines.

1.5 Art Locations

It is anticipated that there will be one (1) opportunity for Public or Indigenous Cultural Recognition art per each of the following eight (8) stations: Green Timbers, 152 Street, Fleetwood, Bakerview-166 Street, Hillcrest-184 Street, Clayton, Willowbrook, and Langley City Centre. Station locations, maps, conceptual renderings, and Project details can be found here.

Art Types

All artworks that will be considered for the Project must be permanent art installations and must have a minimum life expectancy of ten (10) years.

The types of public artwork being considered for the Project fall under three categories:

1. 2D Artwork (excluding Glass Art) - 2D Artwork may be integrated within the station architecture by replacing surface finish materials, such as wall tiles or cladding elements. They may also be mounted directly on station surfaces. The integration is subject to station design and technical requirements.

2. 3D Artwork - Artwork mounted directly over wall surfaces, suspended from station ceiling, or free-standing. 3D Artwork may be located inside the station structure, or on station exterior, including station plaza. 3D Artwork typically requires auxiliary structures or anchorage to secure the artworks in place.

3. 2D Glass Art - Artwork may be mounted offset from station glazing or fully integrated as part of station glazing, subject to station design and technical requirements.

The types of public artwork not being considered for the Project include painted murals; kinetic art; digital, video or projection art; and any other art types not being considered for permanent installation and/or do not meet TransLink’s operational, safety and maintenance requirements.

Currently under development are the exact stations assigned for this public art call, exact locations of the art placement, types and dimensions at each station, and other information specific to the station design. More information will be available to shortlisted Artists during the Project orientation.

This project is open to Canada Artists only. Please see commission document for full project information and application instructions.

Image Courtesy of the Commissioner