The City of Brantford has issued a national artist call for the creation of a new public artwork to be installed in Jubilee Terrace Park, located at 10 Brant Avenue. The commissioned sculpture will pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who have served — and continue to serve — Canada in times of war, military conflict, and peace.
The initiative follows the decision to relocate the historic German Field Howitzer, a First World War artifact captured by Brantford soldiers, which will be preserved and rehomed inside the Canadian Military Heritage Museum. The move aims to ensure the cannon’s long-term protection while maintaining its historical connection to the community.
According to the city, the new artwork will honour this legacy while also reflecting Brantford’s evolving relationship with remembrance and service. The selected artist or artist team will collaborate with local military groups and community stakeholders to explore themes related to the city’s military history and the nearby armoury.
The $100,000 project will be managed through a two-stage open competition, facilitated by STEPS Public Art, a Canadian charity and social enterprise known for fostering community engagement through public art projects.
As part of the initiative, the program includes a mentorship component: a local emerging artist will be selected to work alongside the lead artist during the sculpture’s fabrication and installation phases.
A Selection Panel — composed of arts professionals and community members — will evaluate submissions based on artistic excellence, relevant experience, and the artist’s ability to create a meaningful, innovative, and site-appropriate design. Artwork fabrication is expected to begin in June 2026, with installation scheduled for summer 2027.
Interested artists must submit an application through the STEPS Public Art website (stepspublicart.org) by January 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Questions regarding the call can be directed to Collin Zipp at collin@stepspublicart.org. Additional details are available at Brantford.ca/JubileeTerracePark.
