City of Brantford seeks input on Public Art honouring the 150th anniversary of the telephone

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford is seeking input on a new public art piece that will honour and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the invention of the telephone. 

Following an Artist Call issued in summer 2025, three artists and artist teams were shortlisted to develop proposals for a new public art piece that will be installed in Alexandra Park, located at 265 Dalhousie Street. Residents are now invited to review the proposed designs and provide feedback at LetsTalkBrantford.ca/Bell150PublicArt before Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

The successful artist, or artist team, will be determined through a combination of scoring criteria and deliberation by a selection panel that is comprised of community members and practicing arts professionals. Artwork fabrication is scheduled to begin in February 2026, with installation expected to be completed by Fall 2026.

A local emerging artist residing in Brantford, the County of Brant, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, or Six Nations of the Grand River, will be selected by the City of Brantford, with input from the selected artist or artist team, to serve as an assistant during the fabrication and installation phases of the project. The artist will receive a paid honorarium of $1,000 for their participation. This program will require a commitment of two to four hours per month, and up to one week for on-site work during the installation period next summer or fall. The hours and structure of the mentorship program may fluctuate based on the stage of the fabrication process and design. Those interested in applying for this mentorship opportunity can visit Brantford.ca/ArtistMentorship. Applications are due Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.