Call for Submissions – Voices and Visibility: Women, Art, and Political Change

Back to Listings Call for Submissions – Voices and Visibility: Women, Art, and Political Change 2026 Annual Juried Exhibition at Kawartha Art Gallery Call for Submissions Voices and Visibility: Women, Art, and Political Change Extended Deadline: Saturday, October 31, 2026, by midnight ET Artwork Delivery Deadline: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 11am – 5pm Exhibition Dates: November 18, 2026 – January 30, 2027 Awards Reception: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 2–4pm Democracy thrives when all people can participate, contribute, and have their voices heard. Throughout history, women have played a vital role in expanding rights, advocating for change, building communities, and shaping the democratic landscape. Kawartha Art Gallery invites artists to explore the relationship between women, participation, and democracy through an exhibition that explores the power of civic engagement, collective action, representation, and social change. From the fight for voting rights to contemporary movements for equality, justice, and inclusion, women have often been at the forefront of efforts to strengthen democratic values and expand opportunities for participation. Kawartha Art Gallery welcomes works that challenge perspectives, commemorate achievements, inspire dialogue, or imagine a future where all people can participate fully in civic and community life. Participation can be expressed in many ways…a raised hand, an open door, a gathering of voices, a bridge built between communities, a path forward, an act of courage, or a vision of change. This theme offers powerful opportunities for metaphor and symbolism, and artists are encouraged to consider both tangible and symbolic representations of participation and democracy through the following themes: Democracy Advocacy Leadership Human Rights Identity Protest Belonging Representation Community Engagement Artists are invited to interpret the theme through personal experiences, historical narratives, contemporary issues, or imagined futures. Whether reflective, celebratory, provocative, or aspirational, submissions should approach the subject with sensitivity, authenticity, and creative intention An artist’s rendering of KAG’s new location at 19 Cambridge Street South, in Lindsay, Ontario Eligibility Open to all artists 18 years and older living within Ontario One entry per Artist Maximum size of artwork 48in wide x 72in tall Cost per entry for Gallery Member Artists is $35.00 Cost per entry for non-Gallery Member Artist is $50.00 All entry fees are non-refundable All works to have been completed with the past 24 months Each entry to include an Artist statement. This is an explanation of your overall vision and the issues/ideas that you have presented in your work (maximum 300-word count) Each entry to include two good quality images of the submitted piece of work with submitted images in a 300 dpi in JPG (or JPEG) format. With image files not exceeding 2.5MB Image files submitted with entry form are to be named using the following convention: FirstName, LastName, Title of Work, Date of Work, Format (i.e.: Jane Doe, Title,.jpg) Mediums welcomed are painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, textile and fibre art, photography and digital art No AI generated works will be accepted Artists are responsible for the transportation of accepted artworks to and from the Gallery The Gallery assumes insurance responsibility only while works are onsite All works must be delivered ready to install, d-hooks and wire Works selected for the exhibition must remain on view for the full duration of the exhibit By submitting, artists agree to allow the Gallery to use images of selected works for promotional purposes The Gallery reserves the right to decline any artwork that does not meet the exhibition standards or eligibility criteria Awards Highest Achievement – $1,000.00 Award of Merit – $500.00 Award of Distinction – $250.00 Award of Distinction – $250.00 Jurying Notification of acceptance will be sent via email by November 12, 2026. The juror’s decision is final. Only work that has been accepted by the juror will be included in the exhibition. All works not accepted will be required to be picked up from the Gallery on Saturday, November 14, 2026, between 11am and 5pm. How to Submit Entries can only be submitted via the online submission form. Extended Deadline: Saturday, October 31, 2026, by midnight ET For additional information or questions, please contact: Susan Taylor [email protected] | 705-324-1780 Kawartha Art Gallery 19 Cambridge Street South Lindsay, ON K9V 3B7 kawarthagallery.com [email protected] (705) 324-1780 Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok | YouTube Accessibility: Kawartha Art Gallery is fully accessible. For more information, visit kawarthagallery.com Image Descriptions: 1. A black-and-white photographic collage featuring a person’s side profile with imagery of protests, buildings, books, and floral designs. 2. An artist’s rendering of KAG’s new location at 19 Cambridge Street South, in Lindsay, Ontario Venue Kawartha Art Gallery City Lindsay Type Call for Submissions Tags Juried Exhibitions Themed Programming Awards Related Content Learning Posted October 05, 2026 Call for Applications: RiverBrink Artist Residency 2026–2027 Deadline Open until filled Venue RiverBrink Art Museum Queenston, ON Call for Submissions Posted October 05, 2026 Call for Applications: Artist Project 2027 Deadline October 31, 2026 Venue Artist Project Toronto, ON Exhibitions Posted October 02, 2026 Experience Nuit Blanche Toronto 2026: In the City and Online This Weekend Various Locations October 03, 2026 - October 04, 2026 Venue City of Toronto Toronto, ON Call for Submissions Posted October 01, 2026 Call for Curatorial Proposals: Canada Council’s 70th Anniversary Exhibition Deadline October 19, 2026 Venue Canada Council for the Arts Ottawa, ON