Halifax Mural Festival for the InterCHANGE at Cogswell by IOTA
Submission Deadline: June 5th 2026, 11:59 pm AST
Artist Fees: Opportunities range from $9,500+HST
Inclusive of travel, exclusive of materials.
Header ID: A vertical image split into three horizontal sections. Top section is of a long colorful mural on an exterior park wall by 2025 artists Lorne Julien and Vanessa Thomas, middle section contains the InterCHANGE logo in black and pink text and a black and white logo of the Halifax Mural Festival, bottom section of a concrete retaining wall with a yellow rectangle depicting the mural opportunity.
This opportunity is for a mural facilitated by the Halifax Mural Festival to be included in the InterCHANGE Temporary Public Art Gallery. InterCHANGE is a pilot collaboration between the HRM and IOTA studios to produce a series of temporary art opportunities within the Cogswell District.
The mural opportunity will begin at the intersection of Cogswell Street and Barrington Street in downtown Halifax. Aluminium panels installed onto a concrete wall will stretch across 12 feet and be of approximately 6 feet in height.
This opportunity is open to a single artist or an artist duo. Applicants must be experienced in painting large-scale murals solo or must have their own assistant team to complete a large exterior wall. Artists must also be comfortable using paint mediums (list examples) appropriate for Alupanel panels.
This opportunity is open to all applicants based in the Atlantic provinces and will prioritize artists from the following communities; African Nova Scotian, Mi’kmaw, 2SLGBTQIA+, and Disabled artists.
Context
The Halifax Regional Municipality and IOTA Studios welcomed artists based in Canada to the second year of a temporary public art program within the newly redeveloped Cogswell District titled InterCHANGE.
In 2025, HRM partnered with IOTA Studios to produce 55 temporary public artworks for the outdoor art gallery program and provided professional public art opportunities prioritized to Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian artists.
IOTA Studios is a creative agency that supports writing, curatorial research, presentation, and cross-disciplinary artworks in new media, the web, visual, movement arts, and public art. They will be managing 49 additional temporary artworks set to launch Summer and Fall 2026.
To learn more about the Cogswell District Redevelopment Project, head to the LINK HERE
Art Opportunity Map
Artist Selection Process
Artists are not required to provide concepts and designs at the time of application. Artists will be selected by Mike Bart, Director of the Halifax Mural Festival, in collaboration with IOTA Studios and the HRM with support from Crombie REIT who has agreed to donate the wall for this purpose.
Fabrication and installation of artworks will be installed and viewable to the public between 1 and 3 years. Artist selection, design process will be managed by Halifax Mural Festival, with support from IOTA Studios.
How to Apply
Fill out the google form linked here: https://forms.gle/cf1WpsP5bGmZVMYv6
Material Submission Requirements will include:
- Artist Bio (250 words)
- Upload 1 pdf with 5 examples of previous artwork, preferably of primarily outdoor mural work, including dates, dimensions, materials, and brief artist statement on your artistic approach and interests.
- Two References, who can speak to your previous experience in mural work. Please provide a name, a phone number and current email for each reference.
Timeline
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Call to Artists goes public: Friday May 15th, 2026
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Call to Artists closes: Friday June 5th, 2026
Artists Awarded: Friday June 12th, 2026
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Artists Designs presentation: Friday June 26th, 2026
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Artist Design Acceptance: Tuesday June 30th
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Painting: Saturday July 4th to Saturday July 11th, 2026
If you have any questions, you can direct them to IOTA at malexander@iotainstitute.com
(please note: applications will not be accepted over email and must be submitted via the google form link above.)
Site Images
Granville Park Gallery Walkway
Retaining exterior wall alongside Barrington Street from the POV of Cogswell street looking North. Exact mural dimension approximate. Aluminium panels installed onto a concrete wall will stretch across 12 feet and be of approximately 6 feet in height