Artists Invited to Transform 13th Street Underpass with Landmark Public Artwork
The City of Lethbridge Public Art Program, in collaboration with the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge, is inviting Canadian professional visual artists to submit qualifications for a major new public artwork.
This two-stage public art competition will commission a multi-element artwork installed in the median of the Highway 3 underpass on 13th Street. This is one of the four primary routes linking north and south Lethbridge.
The project aims to bring vibrancy, visual interest and a strong sense of place to a highly visible piece of civic infrastructure that serves as a gateway to north Lethbridge. The underpass connects the Warehouse District to the 13th Street commercial corridor and is travelled daily by thousands of residents.
Project Overview
- Location: 13th Street underpass at Highway 3
- Budget: $90,000 + GST (inclusive of all project costs)
- Submission Deadline: April 28, 2026
- Installation Deadline: September 30, 2027
The selected artist will design, fabricate and install a permanent public artwork incorporating existing low-profile concrete planter frames located in the median.
Given the site’s function as active transportation infrastructure, the project carries important design considerations. The artwork must maintain clear driver sightlines, discourage physical interaction, avoid visual confusion with traffic control devices and withstand year-round exposure to sand, salt and winter maintenance. The final installation must also be safe, durable and maintainable without requiring future lane closures.
Two-Stage Selection Process
Stage I – Request for Qualifications
Artists are invited to submit:
- A Letter of Intent
- A current CV
- Up to 10 images of relevant past work
Submissions will be evaluated on experience, demonstrated excellence and overall suitability for the project.
Stage II – Final Design Proposal (Shortlisted Artists Only)
Shortlisted artists will receive an honorarium of $2,500 + GST to develop a site-specific final proposal. An in-person site visit will be required, with travel reimbursed.
Final proposals will be evaluated on artistic merit, originality, safety and durability, feasibility within budget and timeline, and responsiveness to the site’s unique conditions.
Who Can Apply
The competition is open to Canadian professional visual artists, as defined by the Canada Council for the Arts. Individual artists and artist teams are eligible.
Project Timeline
- RFQ Posting: February 27, 2026
- Qualification Submission Deadline: April 28, 2026
- Shortlist Notification: Mid-May 2026
- Site Visit: Late June 8-18, 2026
- Final Proposal Submission: October 2, 2026
- Commission Award and Announcement: November 2026
- Installation Complete: September 30, 2027
Most of the funding for this project comes through the City’s Public Art Program.
This initiative continues the City of Lethbridge’s commitment to integrating art into civic spaces, enhancing public infrastructure with meaningful, high-quality artistic experiences.