Annual Acquisition Program | Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) invites professional artists and their representatives to submit existing artwork for purchasing consideration. The Acquisition Program aims to acquire completed artworks that are of regional interest and importance to form a visual art history of the region for the use and enjoyment of the people of Wood Buffalo. Submissions reviewed and recommended by a selection panel will be accepted into the Municipal Public Art Collection and displayed in a variety of municipal and public facilities throughout the region.

The Acquisition program aims to:

support eligible emerging, mid-career and established professional visual artists of and from the region
build the Municipal Public Art Collection
reflect the key narratives of local stories, culture and heritage, natural landscapes, and the diverse experiences of the region and its people.
advance the outcomes of the Wood Buffalo Public Art Plan (2021–2030), including a robust public art ecosystem, sustainable structures and supports, a connected community, a visible Indigenous presence, and a vibrant public realm

Funding

An allocation of $20,000 has been set aside for the purchase of a variety of artworks in the 2026 calendar year. Funding for the program comes from the Municipal Public Art Reserve in alignment with the Council-approved Public Art Policy (RAL-170). Funds are not required to be fully spent; any unused amount will be returned to the Municipal Public Art Reserve for future use within the Public Art Wood Buffalo program.

Deadline for applications: July 30, 2026

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that nistawâyâw (Fort McMurray - Wood Buffalo) is located within Treaty 8 territory, the traditional ancestral and traditional lands of the nêhiyawak (Cree), k’átł’odeeche (Dene) and Métis. We honour the enduring presence, knowledge, and stewardship of Indigenous Peoples in this region and commit to actions that support self-determination, cultural resurgence, and respectful relationships.

About Public Art Wood Buffalo 

Stewarded by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the Public Art Wood Buffalo program aims to strengthen community identity and sense of place through public art across the region.  

For general program information, visit the Municipal website at rmwb.ca/publicart or contact the Recreation and Culture Branch at culture@rmwb.ca.

Eligibility

The annual acquisition program is open to:

professional artists* or their representative, such as a commercial gallery, art dealer or artists’ estate. Professional artists must live, or have lived for over 6 months, in the region of Wood Buffalo, inclusive of local First Nation and Métis communities
artworks that demonstrate a meaningful connection to the region

* Professional artist – recognized as a professional practicing artist by other artists working in the same field; has completed basic training (formal or informal) in their field; spends a significant amount of time practicing their art; and seeks payment for their work.

Artwork Parameters 

The Public Art Wood Buffalo program acquires original artwork at fair market value. Fair market value is established by the record of sales of the artwork of the specific artist and comparable artwork by other artists who are peers working in similar media.

Eligible artworks

artwork must be original work created by the artist and does not violate the copyright of any other person
artworks must be in good physical condition
artists may submit images of one, two or three-dimensional artworks in most visual mediums such as: watercolour, oil or acrylic painting, pottery, sculpture, Indigenous arts, crafts, fabric and fibre arts, ink drawing, mixed media, etc.
artworks should ideally be created within the past five (5) years and be technically safe and suitable for public display

Ineligible submissions

student work or artwork created while enrolled in a formal art-training program
submissions that are not from the original artist or representative of that professional artist
reproduction, copies or prints of original works
film, video, moving image, digital media, or other time-based media
artworks that require immediate maintenance and are not display-ready
applied arts (e.g., gaming, architecture, interior design, commercial photography)
artworks using Indigenous imagery, themes, or stories without evidence of respectful engagement, appropriate permissions, or community protocols

Evaluation Process

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following considerations: 

artistic merit, innovation and suitability for public setting
regional importance
the integration of art into the existing collection (i.e. artist diversification and representation and medium diversity)
conservation and maintenance (longevity, maintenance requirements, safety)
authenticity and provenance
legality, including ownership
adaptability of the art to be displayed in various locations

Selection Process

The selection process will take place in two stages:

digital review and shortlist
in‑person verification and confirmation

Shortlisted artists whose works are recommended for purchase will be invited to an in-person review to confirm details and conditions. Costs associated with delivering artworks for in‑person review are the responsibility of the artist or owner. The Municipality will cover shipping costs for artworks that are confirmed for purchase following inspection.

Selected Artworks

For selected artworks, the terms of purchase are as follows:

Eligible artworks have been received and are in good condition when presented
Acquisition Agreement signed by both parties
Artist biography is approved
Maintenance manual received
Invoice for the sale of the artwork
Certificate of authentication/provenance

Completion of the above-noted terms will result in the selected artwork being accessioned into the Municipal Public Art Collection.

Submission Process

Submissions will be accepted through our online application portal.

To prepare for online submission, please ensure you have the following details prepared.

The maximum upload size per JPG or PDF file is 20 MB.

Applicant Information

full legal name (if applying as an individual), phone, email, mailing address
business/organization legal entity name (if applying as a gallery or agent), phone, email, mailing address
artist biography (maximum 300 words)
artist resume or CV that outlines past exhibitions, achievements, list of collecting bodies, teaching experience and/or formal education (maximum 2 pages, JPG or PDF)
external links to artist/business website or portfolio
other relevant information to support artistic merit (several documents must be combined as one PDF file)

Artwork Information

Applicants can submit up to three (3) artworks for consideration. Artworks that are part of a series, like a diptych, triptych, or polyptych, will be considered as one body of work.

The following details per artwork will be required.

written statement
artwork details including:
- title (or untitled)
- year created
- medium
- dimensions (in inches)
- price in CAD
conservation and maintenance considerations
up to 6 digital photographs of the artwork (JPG, PDF accepted).
digital photographs need to include clear, high-quality images of the artworks that convey the materials and the techniques used in the artworks
photograph all parts of the artwork to accurately portray its intricacies (front, back, detailed sections, various angles, etc.)

Apply here!

Program Timeline 

Submission Deadline: July 30, 2026

Shortlist notice: Late August, 2026

In-person review: August – September, 2026

Notice of selection: On or before September 15, 2026

*Timeline subject to change* 

Submission Support

If you have any questions or require support with your submission, please reach out to the Recreation and Culture Branch of the RMWB at culture@rmwb.ca or contact PULSE at 780-743-7000.

To ensure that adequate support is available, please connect with the Branch at least four (4) business days before the submission deadline.