Call for Artists – Indigenous Art Trail Enhancement Project

The Opportunity

The North Shore Mountain Bike Association (NSMBA) invites Indigenous artists from the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) to submit proposals for a permanent public artwork to be installed along the new Cypress East Climb Trail located between the second and fourth switchbacks of Cypress Bowl Road in West Vancouver.

This trail is a newly developed recreational trail for two-way hiking and uphill mountain biking that connects to other mountain biking and hiking routes. The Indigenous Art Trail Enhancement Project aims to enrich the trail experience through meaningful artworks that celebrate Indigenous culture, foster cultural understanding, and reflect the deep relationships between people and land on the North Shore.

We welcome both traditional and contemporary artistic practices. The selected artist(s) will collaborate with NSMBA and local partners to ensure that the final work is culturally respectful, environmentally sensitive, and durable in the face of North Shore winters.

Project Goals

  • Celebrate and honour Indigenous culture on the North Shore
  • Create a culturally enriched experience for all trail visitors
  • Promote awareness and education around Indigenous presence and knowledge
  • Strengthen relationships between NSMBA and local Indigenous communities
  • Support truth and reconciliation efforts in outdoor recreation spaces

Examples of Possible Installations

  • A welcome figure or carved sculpture at the trail entrance / exit
  • Carved or painted wooden panels installed along the route
  • Embedded natural materials or storytelling markers
  • Any permanent artwork that can withstand outdoor mountain conditions

Note: Artists are encouraged to propose their own creative concepts that reflect their unique perspective, community, or story.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to all artists from Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), including both emerging and established artists. Artists working in traditional or contemporary forms are welcome. 

Budget

A total of $10,000 is available for this commission. This amount must cover all aspects of the project, including:

  • Artist fees
  • Materials and fabrication
  • Transportation and delivery
  • Installation (with support from NSMBA / District of West Vancouver, if needed)

Timeline

  • Call for Artists Opens: September 2025
  • Submission Deadline: 1st December 2025
  • Artwork Production: Winter 2025–26
  • Installation: Spring 2026

All final installations will be subject to approval by the District of West Vancouver Parks Department before production and installation.

Selection Process

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel convened by NSMBA, including Indigenous representation. Artists will be selected based on:

  • Artistic vision and cultural relevance
  • Connection to the land 
  • Feasibility (durability, materials, and maintenance needs)
  • Clarity of proposal and plan

Artists are also welcome to request a walk-through of the trail with NSMBA staff before submitting a proposal.

Submission Requirements

Please submit the following via email to info@nsmba.ca by 1st December 2025:

  1. Drawings or concept designs – sketches, mockups, or visual representations of your proposed work
  2. Description of the artwork – including materials, size, and installation approach
  3. A short artist biography or statement – tell us about yourself, your connection to the land or the trail, and any relevant experience
  4. Examples of past work (optional) – up to 5 images, with titles and descriptions

We welcome all inquiries and encourage artists to connect with us early in the process.

We are grateful to carry out this project on the unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).