Access Gallery is an artist-run centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, with a mission to create conditions of emergence for provocative ideas and work in the visual arts. We enable critical conversations and risk taking through new configurations of artists, audience, and community.
Access is only able to program a few projects per year but we are committed to considering your proposals carefully. In recognition of the labour that goes into applications as well as the labour of the jury members, we’re shifting our call to reflect an introduction format. A volunteer Programming Committee will review all applications with the staff, and invite a long list of artists to submit more information for a Juried review.
Access Gallery’s programming includes visual and media art exhibitions, installations, performances, and special projects. We welcome submissions from local, national, and international artists at early stages and/or at moments of risk in more established practices. Curatorial decisions are made by the Director/Curator, Katie Belcher, informed by both her independent research and a submissions review committee, which changes annually. This committee of artists, staff, and board members identifies practices of interest, giving equal attention to projects in development as to finished work. For general information about what Access provides in terms of support for exhibiting artists and selected projects, see PROJECT SUPPORT.
We continue to accept full submissions on an ongoing basis to be considered by the Director/Curator—please feel free to follow our GENERAL SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES.
If these submission guidelines are a barrier and you’d prefer to submit in a format that is more accessible to you (i.e. a video or audio submission), please contact Director/Curator, Katie Belcher, at k.belcher@accessgallery.ca.
Access accepts full submissions on an ongoing basis to be considered by the Director/Curator as time permits. Please submit proposals as a single zipped folder by email to submissions@accessgallery.ca.
- CV or short biography (maximum half page)
- Tell us about yourself and your artistic practice. This short bio can include previous projects, exhibitions, and experience, and the context in which you make your work. Please also feel free to share with us any lived experiences and cultural contexts that inform your work.
- Support Material
- Up to 5 samples of recent work
- Images – JPEG file only, 72dpi, 1024×768 px. Please include title, medium, date, and label each file, i.e 01surname.jpg
- For video and audio files, please submit a URL to an online link – 5 minutes maximum
- Critical reviews of past projects and professional references can be included but are not required. Weblinks are welcome, but please give us directions to relevant information.
- Project description or letter of intent (maximum one page)
- A detailed proposal for your project, or exhibition, describing what you wish to do and any special requirements for your work.
- Tell us about your practice (the material and conceptual concerns that drive your work).
- Describe the structure of your project (are you applying for an exhibition, in need of support for a social practice, planning a series of events, etc?) Include any specific needs from us including physical or technical requirements.
Due to the number of submissions and nature of our planning process, only proposals of interest will be contacted.
Website link: https://accessgallery.ca/submissions