Visual arts & new media

Submissions are now open for 
The Quenten Doolittle Memorial Gallery Exhibit: LITTLE PLEASURES
September 25 – December 6th, 2025

The Pumphouse Theatre is a vibrant facility with historical significance. It supports and presents all art forms and creates opportunities for engagement, enrichment, cultural experience, learning and inspiration, while serving all Calgarians. To enable this, the Quenten Doolittle Memorial Gallery provides accessible wall display space for Mohkinstsis (Calgary) visual artists to display and sell their work, free from commission.

For this exhibit, we are looking for work that reflects the theme of Little Pleasures: the little things that give us big positive impact. Surprise pocket finds, work that’s already been done, etc. Submissions of any style, from realistic to abstract, and in any visual art medium will be considered, provided it meets all gallery requirements below. 

The Pumphouse Theatre supports an inclusive and diverse community. We encourage any submissions of eligible visual artists from all communities including but not limited to the LGBTQ2+, BIPOC, and those with disabilities. Priority will be given to artists who are emerging or at the early stages of their career. 

Submissions must meet the following requirements:

• Artist must reside in Calgary and must be available for installation dates provided.
• Artwork must be delivered ready to hang (wall-space only) with the dimensions listed on the application form.

Installation Requirements: All art MUST be equipped with picture hanging wire and D rings (a piece of metal hardware shaped like the letter D used on the back of frame or canvas as hooking device). Hanging cleats or flat metal hardware unfortunately will not be accepted.  

This gallery is intended to be available for in person and online viewing. Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 pandemic, there is the possibility of this exhibit being online exclusively. All installation required are still necessary for this exhibit. 

In the event of an in-person gallery, The Pumphouse Theatre will install the work on behalf of the artists. Artwork may be dropped off or picked up by either the artist or a representative between the hours of 12 pm and 6 pm on the installation and take down dates provided. Artist must reserve an installation and take down date via a provided form or by contacting the Programming Director. 

Timeline: 

• Submission Deadline: September 1st, 2025, 11:59pm
  • All artists who submit will be notified with a decision no later than 2-2 1/2 weeks after the deadline has passed.
• Installation: September 21st – 23rd, 2025
• Exhibition: September 25th – December 6th, 2025
• Take Down: December 7th – 10th, 2025

To apply, please send the following information via email or mail:

• Completed Gallery Submission Form
• Artist Biography (250 words max)
  • A short description of who you are and your art background, training, passion, and/or any combination of the fore mentioned information
• Artwork: A minimum of 1 to a maximum of 5 pieces will be accepted
  • Images of artwork only; do not send original works with application
  • Please keep image formats to either PNG or JPEG. If you are unable to do so, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate. 

Applications or queries can be sent to:

Facilities and Programming Director
2140 Pumphouse Ave SW Calgary, AB T3C 3P5
prod@pumphousetheatre.ca  403-263-0079 ext. 100

Selection Process: Art pieces are selected by a committee of no less than 3 people and are a mix of artists and administrators. Selection criteria is based on: suitability to the theme, technique, emotional response, creativity & innovation, and suitability for the Pumphouse Theatre gallery space and its patrons (ages 8-80 representing various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds). Unfortunately, we are unable to accept works that feature nudity. 

Any artists who need assistance with their application, or have inquires and questions, are welcome to contact the Pumphouse Theatre, at any point.

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is pleased to announce a series of free webinar workshops for those interested in applying to the Visual Arts and New Media Individual Project Grant or the Indigenous Arts Individual Project Grant funding streams taking place during the month of August 2025.

These funding opportunities are available to independent artists or collectives only. The deadline to apply for both of these programs is September 2, 2025.

Our consultant Kari McQueen will provide a free webinar for those interested in applying. She will be providing tips and other useful information to apply for all project types, helping applicants develop their funding application and increasing their chances of success.

Dates and times for these workshops are listed below. To register for these workshops, please click on the registration links for your preferred date below.

Workshops for the Visual Arts and New Media Individual Grant

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm
Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm

Workshops for the Indigenous Arts Individual Grant

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm
Monday, August 18, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm

Pre-deadline Q&A Informal Webinars

In addition to the workshops above, Kari McQueen will also be offering free informal webinars for both grant programs being held just prior to the September 2, 2025 deadline to answer specific questions that may arise as applicants are working on and finishing up their applications. 

Applicants can register for those workshops at the links below.

Visual Art and New Media Individual Project: Monday, August 25, 2025
Indigenous Arts Individual Project: Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Registrants of these workshops are encouraged to take a look at the funding guidelines for the Visual Arts and New Media Project Funding and the Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding streams, respectively.

The Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek is a non-profit community arts organization that makes our home in the beautiful historic Lebel Mansion in Southern Alberta.

Note: our deadline has been extended until Sunday, August 31, 2025.

We are currently accepting submissions for our 2026 season. We invite solo and group artists to apply for the 2026 exhibition season.

​Please visit our website for all the details, including an updated gallery submission information packet which will guide you through the process.

We strive to host thought-provoking exhibitions that appeal to a diverse audience in order to expand understanding of the visual arts in the community. Our art gallery exhibits working artists at all levels of their artistic careers and curates dynamic exhibitions that showcase strong, current Canadian art. We provide a yearly exhibition schedule balancing local artists and artists from throughout Canada working in all mediums.

The Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek’s preference is for exhibitions that are for sale, however we will consider submissions that do not include works for sale. The AAC has a commission rate of 30% on all sales in addition to paying artist fees. All exhibitions will be curated and installed by the AAC's Executive Director, Kassandra Chancey and/or experienced volunteers in coordination with the artist or group.

If you are applying as a solo artist and we see potential for a group show collaboration amongst submissions will be in contact with you.

​The 2026 exhibitions run for 6-8 consecutive weeks and artists are paid $1000 for showcasing their work.

Deadline for submissions: Sunday, August 31, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.

Visit our website for all the details and submission package