Call for Artists
The Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent (CTC-CK) is moving to a new home in the Fall of 2026! To celebrate this exciting time, the CTC-CK would like to engage the Chatham-Kent community in a mindful, creative way.

Parades have often been used symbolically to acknowledge and remember important moments in history. Because of this, we have chosen to host a ‘Wings of Welcome’ Parade during the grand opening festivities for our new Centre. This experience will reveal community partnerships and collaborations, as well as celebrate the ways in which we gather as a community.

The CTC-CK is looking to work with artists, artist groups, and local community groups for this project. This includes, but is not limited to, emerging artists, youth artists, and artists with disabilities. We welcome artists to apply from a variety of different styles and mediums including performers, musicians, fine arts, etc.

These artists, in partnership with the CTC-CK, will design stationary “floats” to create a sensory-friendly, reverse parade at our new location. This means that the parade will have a guided, comfortable route that leads families through the new CTC-CK building, stopping in various rooms to view “floats” highlighting the people, memories, and milestones that have helped to shape the CTC-CK community.

Along the way, we will enjoy music, colourful visuals, tactile stations, and quiet zones that will support a welcoming experience for all sensory needs. We intend to promote inclusion, belonging, and positive sensory-specific experiences for children, youth, and adults with disabilities and their families.

Anticipated Call for Artists Timeline
• Submission deadline: Friday, July 31st, 2026, at 4:00pm
• Project start date: Tuesday, September 8th, 2026
• Anticipated event/parade date: Late October/ Early November

Location Specifications
Each artist or artist team will be provided with a designated space at the new CTC-CK location where they will create their “float” and sensory-friendly space. Spaces may
include: the lobby, gymnasium, youth lounge, family resource area, etc. Images will be provided as soon as they are available.

Theme
The parade will highlight the unique stories and relationships upon which the CTC-CK community is built. Not only will the event help transition the CTC-CK community from one home to another, it will also reveal how artistic expression can help us to acknowledge our histories, see the world differently, march together in the present, and dream up inspiring, compassionate, and creative futures.
The underlying themes of the event will focus on inclusion, belonging, and positive sensory experiences for children, youth, and adults with disabilities and their families. Artist and artist teams will be paired with members of the CTC-CK community and will work together to co-create the parade experience.

Eligibility
This Call for Artists is open to local artists, artistic groups, and/or community groups.

Compensation
The artists or artist groups participating in the parade will receive $1,000.00 (CAD), which includes the artist fee, design, materials, and fabrication of the “float,” all applicable taxes, travel to any event meetings and the event site, and any additional items that may be accrued during the project.

Submission Requirements
1. Statement of Interest:
• Include an artist statement and why this project is of interest to you.
• Describe how your artistic practice connects to, or aligns with, this project.
• Include an accessibility statement and proposed budget.
• Any other information that may be helpful for us to know.
2. Experience and Qualifications: Please submit your resume outlining applicable
professional accomplishments, along with documentation or evidence of past
works, if possible. For artist teams, please include a resume for each team member.
3. Two References: Please ensure references include a contact name, title, organization,
email address, and phone number.

How to Submit
Please submit the above submission requirements to dlitwinmakey@ctc-ck.com by Friday, July 31st, 2026 at 4:00pm.

For questions, please contact: Rachel Guerin at rguerin@ctc-ck.com or 519-354-0520 ext. 292.

The CTC-CK is committed to diversity, inclusion, and representative hiring practices. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Accommodation is available throughout the Call for Artists process.

To learn more about the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent, please visit www.ctc-ck.com.