Call for Submissions: Gitchi Manitou Manidoo Onitariio-Life in Toronto
Submit up to three pieces (images/videos) for a juried exhibition celebrating spiritual and cultural connections to Toronto.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 10 days left
- Entry fee
- Free
- Location
- John McKenzie House, Willowdale, North York, Toronto
- Exhibition window
- Oct 3, 2026 → Oct 4, 2026
- Applicants notified
- Sep 28, 2026
About
Overview
Artists are invited to submit up to three pieces for consideration in this exhibition celebrating spiritual and cultural connections to Toronto, presented by S'mad at Ontario Culture Days 2026.
About the Exhibition
Gitchi Manitou Manidoo Onitariio-Life in Toronto explores the Great Spirit concept from Anishinaabe mythology, creating a spiritual map of Toronto that invites visitors to look past the city's urbanity and see its deeper, ancestral, and spirit-filled reality. The exhibition celebrates how the spirit of Toronto lives in each person and in the harmony of Lake Ontario, which has been the life-giving force for indigenous people, citizens, and future inhabitants.
Artistic Call
The call seeks photographic studies of urban nature revealing life in Toronto; visual art and digital compositions merging cultural symbolism with modern and traditional techniques; sculptural and crafted pieces with contemporary interpretations of spirit and meaning; and hybrid mixed media works weaving together cultural motifs from Toronto's communities. Artists may also submit proposals for free or pay-what-you-wish workshops on October 3 from 1pm to 4pm.
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 11:59pm ET
- Artists Notified: week of September 28, 2026
- Installation Date and Artwork Drop Off: Friday, October 3, 2026, 9am–1pm (digital works: Wednesday, September 30, 2026)
- Exhibition Dates: Saturday, October 3, 2026, Noon–10pm; Sunday, October 4, 2026, Noon–4pm
Eligibility
Open to artists 18 years of age and older residing in the Toronto area, and open to the rest of Canada and internationally for digital media. All works must be original and created by the submitting artist.
Media & Format
Visual artists working in different mediums are invited, including painting, drawing, photography, new media, sculpture, ceramics, and textiles. Digital media (video content) will be accepted.
Fees
- Application Fee: $10 per submission of 3 images/videos (non-refundable)
- Artist Exhibition Fee: $45 CAD (non-refundable) required upon acceptance to cover administrative and promotional costs
- Artists are responsible for transportation of artwork to and from John McKenzie House
How to Submit
Submit your work via the online submission form. For additional information or questions, contact Vera Kabo Tse, S'mad, Sustainable Market Art + Design at [email protected] or 437-855-5389.
Contact
- S'mad, Sustainable Market Art + Design
- 1 St. Clair West, #402, Toronto, ON M4V 1K6
- [email protected]
- 437-855-5389
- smadartdesign.ca
- Instagram: @smad.artdesign
- Entry fee
- Application Fee: $10 per submission of 3 images/videos (non-refundable). Artist Exhibition Fee: $45 CAD required upon acceptance.
- Entries per artist
- Up to 3
- Theme
- Celebrating the spiritual connection to Toronto through the Anishinaabe concept of Gitchi Manitou (Great Spirit), inviting artists to reveal the deeper ancestral and spirit-filled reality of the city through cultural symbolism, nature, and traditions from Toronto's diverse communities.
- Eligibility
- Open to artists 18 years of age and older residing in the Toronto area; open to rest of Canada and internationally for digital media. All works must be original and created by the submitting artist.
- Audience
- Artists 18 years of age and older residing in the Toronto area, open to rest of Canada and internationally for digital media.
- Format
- Drop off in person
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.