Rooted in Art

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Open Call For Artists
Currently Accepting Submissions

Application Deadline: August 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM.


Apply to participate in Rooted in Art’s first ever live art competition!

This year, the City’s annual Rooted in Art program is reimagined as a live nature inspired outdoor art competition. Eight artists will be selected to compete, creating artwork inspired by trees in Victoria Park in a medium of their choosing. On September 12, 2026, the selected artists will meet in the park where they will be given three hours to complete their piece.

This competition is open to all skill levels and mediums. The art must be completed on site within the given timeframe, be based on the City-selected landscape and adhere to an 18”x24” board, panel, canvas, or backing of the artists choosing. During the competition, the public is invited to observe the artists as they complete their pieces. A barricade or rope will be used to ensure adequate space for competing artists.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  1. Submit an application with a portfolio of past work before the deadline. The submitted pieces should clearly demonstrate the artist’s ability to create artwork based on nature and/or landscapes.
  2. Eight artists will be selected to compete. Successful applicants will be notified mid-August.
  3. In late August City staff will meet with the selected artists to discuss logistics and answer questions ahead of competition day.
  4. The live competition will be held on September 12th, 2026, in Victoria Park. The exact location will be announced at a later date.
  5. Winners of the competition will be chosen and announced by a panel of judges after the three hours have lapsed.
  6. A panel of judges will award prizes of $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $750 for third place. All other participating artists will receive an honorarium of $500 in recognition of the time, skill, and material costs of participating in this competition.
  7. The eight pieces of art created at the competition will be used by the City for a temporary public display and returned to artist at a later date as outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding established with the artists.


HOW TO APPLY
Applying artists should read the full Call For Artists linked here and on the left hand side of this page. In that document you will find:

  • Full details about the Rooted in Art live competition
  • Compensation and prize information
  • Application requirements
  • What you need to know for the day of the competition
  • A scoring rubric outlining how applications will be assessed
  • The full application form to be submitted to the City to be considered for the competition

Submit an application form and portfolio in full by the stated application deadline. Incomplete applications or those missing required information will not be considered.

Completed applications and supporting materials can be sent by email to [email protected] or in person at Charlottetown City Hall by 4pm on August 3, 2026 to:

City of Charlottetown Attn: Environment and Sustainability Department
199 Queen Street, Charlottetown, PE
C1A 4B7

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Since its inception in 2020, Rooted in Art has captivated the community by pairing local artists with trees in Charlottetown. The City is excited to reinvigorate this program, giving a diversity of artists an opportunity to participate.

Rooted in Art is a celebration of Charlottetown’s urban forest. Trees are a valuable asset to the city and its people and provide many essential services and benefits, including cooling and cleaning the air, blocking wind, buffering noise, and assisting with stormwater management.

Join us in celebrating the beauty and importance of Charlottetown’s trees through the power of art.