Seeking Indigenous artists to create Welcome Figures for future Cowichan District Hospital
Island Health is seeing an experienced Indigenous artist or artists, working in the local traditions, to create two, 17-foot carved red cedar Welcome Figures for the new Cowichan District Hospital. The hospital is currently under construction at 6775 Bell McKinnon Road in North Cowichan, BC and is scheduled to open for patient care in 2027.
Proposals are due by Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11:59pm PST.
Cedar logs have been procured.
RFP Submission checklist
Interested artists must submit their proposal in writing, including:
- Artist CV/Resume of carving expertise and experience, with full contact information. Please include your Band name and Band number.
- Digital images (up to 10) of examples of previously completed work (a website link may be included)
- Demonstrated experience in designing and carving traditional Welcome Figures, including relief carving, panel and round style, and painting
- Two references, including contact information
Please email the above submission documents to art.newcdh@islandhealth.ca. In the subject line, please use the following format: RFP Your Name. Up to 10 images may be submitted using the following format: jpg, PDF, with a maximum file size of 2MB per image.
Assistance is available
If you require assistance with the submission process, please contact the project's Indigenous Relations Team at: art.newcdh@islandhealth.ca.
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Welcome Figures FAQs:
- Who is eligible for this RFP?
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To honour the territory on which the new hospital is being built, preference will be given to artists who are members of the Cowichan Tribes. Also eligible are First Nations artists from the hospital’s catchment area and Coast Salish artists with demonstrated knowledge and practice in Coast Salish art form.
- What is the timeline for the Welcome Figures?
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Following submission deadline, August 29, 2025, a selection panel will review and shortlist the proposals in early September. Selected artists will submit concept Plans for Phase 2, due October 3. Interviews and the award to the selected artist will take place in October with work on the Welcome Figures starting soon after, and expected completion date of December 31, 2026.
Important dates:
August 5, 2025 Request for Proposals released August 29, 2025 Submission deadline for Proposals September 8, 2025 Review and shortlist process; selected artists notified to prepare Concept Plans for Phase 2 October 3, 2025 Deadline for expanded Concept Plans; interviews with shortlisted artists begin October 2025 Interviews and selection of artist October 2025 Awarded artist begins work December 31, 2026 Completion of work January 2027 Proposed Welcome Figures raising - How do I submit my proposal for this RFP?
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Please email the proposal and submission documents (details available in request for proposal) to art.newcdh@islandhealth.ca In the subject line, please use the following format: RFP Your Name. Up to 10 images may be submitted, with the following format: jpg, PDF, with a maximum file size of 2MB per image.
- Is there support available for artists who require assistance with their proposal submissions?
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Yes. The Indigenous Relations team and Art@CDH teams are available to support eligible carvers with their proposal submissions. Please email Emem (Mimi) Okpongete, Project Manager, Indigenous Relations at art.newcdh@islandhealth.ca for assistance.
- Are the logs already selected?
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Yes! Two beautiful red cedar logs have been procured for the Welcome Figure poles. The length of the logs is sufficient for two 17 ft. finished figures. The logs will be prepared for carving (stripped, etc.) for the selected artist.
Art@CDH Frequently Asked Questions
- Why art in a hospital?
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Art creates a healing environment. Indigenous community dialogues and research* have made clear the importance and benefits of reflecting cultural identity and art in healing settings, and other evidence-based literature suggests that integrating art and thoughtful design into the construction of hospitals can reduce stress and lead to improved outcomes for patients.
Art has been shown to reduce the need for medications, shorten hospital stays and de-escalate agitation and aggression.
Art promotes healing and enhances the quality of health care experiences; it benefits all: patients, families, health care providers, volunteers and visitors.
- Finding #8: Indigenous Health practices and knowledge are not integrated into the health care system in a meaningful and consistent way.
- Recommendation #10: That design of hospital facilities in BC. Include partnership with local Indigenous peoples and the Nations on whose territories these facilities are located, so that health authorities create culturally appropriate, dedicated physical spaces in health facilities for ceremony and cultural protocol, and visibly include Indigenous artwork, signage and territorial acknowledgement throughout these facilities.
- Whose art will be included?
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Art will be created by members of all communities served by the hospital.
Artwork will be informed by all people who are served by the hospital, including First Nation communities in the region. We also acknowledge the new hospital will serve the Stz'uminus, Le'eyqsun, Spune'luxutth, MÁLEXEŁ, Xeláltxw, Ditidaht, Pacheedaht, Ts'uubaa-asatx, Métis, Inuit, urban Indigenous population and Quw'utsun peoples.
The Cowichan Valley is also home to South Asian Canadians, Japanese Canadians, Chinese Canadians, 2SLGBTQI+, people with diverse abilities, students from local schools and other community organizations.
Art illustrates geographic location: the land upon which the hospital is being built informs major art installations, such as the Welcome Figures and the Carved Door for the Indigenous Gathering Space.
- If I am not selected to contribute art, will you keep my completed application on file?
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Yes. Artist applications will be kept on file for consideration for future opportunities at the hospital.
- Will artists be required to create an original artwork for consideration during the Call for Artists application stage?
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No. Artists will not be asked to create unique works during the Call for Artists, application phase. Examples of existing work will be requested.
- Do artists who have already registered with the Art@CDH initiative need to apply?
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Yes. All interested artists must submit a completed application form by the June 30, 2025 deadline.
Access the application form here.
- What are the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) criteria for artwork in the hospital?
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Selections for art will be subject to an infection prevention and control (IPAC) risk assessment for artwork installation in healthcare facilities. Click here for more information about IPAC criteria.
- Will Indigenous art be highlighted?
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Yes. The Integration of Indigenous artwork is a response to Recommendation 10 of In Plain Sight*.
Artwork foregrounds Indigenous art, languages and cultures and is fundamental to the design and operations of the new hospital; it supports an environment of cultural safety and healing.
The integration of Indigenous art is as a call to action that addresses racism experienced by Indigenous people in Canada’s healthcare facilities.
Storytelling – inspired by the hospital’s location on the traditional territories of the Quw’utsun and stories inspired by all the Nations and Indigenous communities served by the new CDH – plays a fundamental role in the development of themes, artwork, wayfinding and landscape design. The stories that emerged during engagement sessions between the Project team and local Indigenous communities represent regional and cultural identity.
*In Plain Sight Report Recommendation #10: That design of hospital facilities in BC. Include partnership with local Indigenous peoples and the Nations on whose territories these facilities are located, so that health authorities create culturally appropriate, dedicated physical spaces in health facilities for ceremony and cultural protocol, and visibly include Indigenous artwork, signage and territorial acknowledgement throughout these facilities.
- Will there be opportunities to donate art to the new hospital?
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If you are interested in donating your artwork to the new hospital, please contact the Art@CDH team at art.newcdh@islandhealth.ca to discuss possible donation opportunities.
January 29, 2025:
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