Xpace Cultural Centre accepts proposals of all media from emerging and student artists, curators and cultural workers. Exhibitions are selected by our Programming Committee which is composed of the Xpace Director, and well as both Xpace Programming Coordinators. There is no fee to apply, and all selected applicants and participants are paid a project fee of CAD $440. This Open Call covers all exhibition spaces from September 2023 through July 2024.
The 2023-2024 Call for Exhibition Submissions deadline is Sunday, June 18 at 11:59 PM
THEMATICS
Winter - Space / Place / Environment is a thematic that can be responded to through an intervention of the physical exhibition spaces at Xpace Cultural Centre, or as a conceptual prompt. We encourage artists to submit temporal site-sensitive or site-specific projects that consider the architectural makeup of the exhibition spaces on site at the gallery. Artists may also use this theme to address concepts such as diasporic movements, migration, a relationship to nature, the city of Toronto/Tkaronto, or the artist’s home space or studio. How do the environments we occupy inform us? What responsibility do we have to place? What form(s) can a space take?
SUMMER - Noise / Chaos / Excess is a thematic that encompasses much more than their literal definitions. This prompt encourages applicants working in any media to think creatively about figurative quantity: Noise as not only an accumulation of sounds, but also as visual commotion. Chaos as not just mayhem but also as passion and exuberance. Excess as not just “too much” but also as abundance and prosperity. While Xpace encourages experimental projects in the spirit of these keywords, artists may also choose to propose projects that seek relief in its quiet opposition. How might we orient ourselves amidst the noise? Do you run towards the fire or walk away from it?
EXHIBITION SPACES
All exhibition archives can be viewed here: www.xpace.info/archive
Floor plans can be viewed here at the bottom of the page: http://www.xpace.info/resources/
WINDOW SPACE
The Window Space looks out onto Lansdowne Avenue and is visible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Works proposed for the Window Space should consider the site-specific nature of an exhibition space with 24-hour access, and its location and presence as a window facing out onto the street. Solo or collaborative works may apply.
MAIN SPACE
The Main Space hosts group exhibitions organized around a connecting theme or idea. You may apply as a curator or as an artist collective. Proposals should emphasize the ways in which the artists and artworks relate to the theme. Curators may apply with works already selected, or with a theme only (please include examples of artists/designers and/or the type of works you are interested in). In the case of an artist collective or group of artists, the role of the curator(s) must be clearly defined.
PROJECT SPACE
The Project Space is intended for installation-based practices. Site-based exhibitions, experimental installations and immersive works will be given priority. Solo or collaborative works, (up to 2 artists maximum) may apply.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
New for our 2023-24 programming year, Xpace is excited to support Special Projects. Special Projects are defined as an artistic contribution responding to or reflecting on the thematic of the exhibition cycle. These event-based activations will be shown once during the exhibition round and supported with a stand alone event. Examples of a Special Project could include a performance, close listening of a sound work, readings, screening of a single channel video work or other kinds of experimental discursive programming.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are asked to provide the following items:
1. Artist Bio (150 words max): 2-3 sentences describing who you are. This can include the city you’re based in, education, recent professional experience (if applicable), and/or awards.
2. Artistic Practice Statement (300 words max): The Artistic Practice Statement should give a description of your overall art practice (ie) themes, issues, processes you’re currently exploring and interested in.
3. Project Description (500 words max): The project description should give a clear and concrete description of the work you are proposing for Xpace. Please specify which exhibition space you intend the work to be exhibited in and why your project suits it specifically. (ie) sound installation, series of sculptures, projections, etc. If you are a curator, please outline the curatorial theme and selected artists (if confirmed).
3. Install/Technical Description (250 words max): The technical description should include: tentative install plan/schedule, equipment, tools and materials required for install, installation assistance or shipping (if needed), and any associated expenses.
4. CV (Max 3 pages): Your CV should include education and exhibition history, as well as any relevant experience you’d like us to know about. Please note: formal education is not mandatory to apply. Xpace only shows work from emerging artists/curators/cultural workers and/or students. Mid-career and established artists will not be accepted. If you are unsure if you fall within our mandate, please ask opencall@xpace.info.
5. Visual Support Material (5-10): Images must be in JPG format. You may include links to video and/or audio files. These should be a maximum of 3-5 minutes in total. If there is a specific portion of a longer video you would like the Programming Committee to watch, please indicate it on your support material list.
6. Support Material List: State what each file is and its relation to your proposal. (1-2 sentences per file).
If you have any questions about the proposal process that are not outlined in our FAQ below please contact Xpace staff at opencall@xpace.info before 1pm on Friday, June 2, 2023. Please note that due to high interest it might take up to 3-5 days to get to your question. We do not respond to last minute requests, texts or direct messages sent on social media.
Xpace recognizes the importance of oral culture in the sharing of language, history, knowledge and practice. We will accept oral submissions for the Call for Exhibitions application, when accessibility and/or oral culture is relevant to the project or artistic practice. Oral application requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis. If you’d like to request one, please write opencall@xpace.info before Friday, May 26th, 2023.
Please reference our submission guidelines and FAQ for more information: http://www.xpace.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/XPACE-2023-2024-SUBMISSION-GUIDELINES-FAQ.pdf
DUE TO HIGH INTEREST, WE ONLY ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED THROUGH SUBMITTABLE.
THOUGH STAFF IS HAPPY TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK AT ALL MOMENTS OF THE SUBMISSION PROCESS, WE DO NOT RESPOND TO INQUIRIES ASKED THROUGH DIRECT MESSAGE, TEXT OR FACEBOOK MESSENGER. WE ASK THAT APPLICANTS RESPECT THIS BOUNDARY AND REACH OUT THROUGH EMAIL ONLY.
LATE OR INCOMPLETE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR PROPOSAL STATUS WITHIN 2 MONTHS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR PROPOSALS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.
Xpace Cultural Centre is seeking applications for the opportunity to participate in our annual summer residency program! The residency is open to students graduating from OCAD University in Spring 2023 from any program at the Undergraduate or Graduate level. Two artists and one curator will be selected. The residency is intended to take place at Xpace Cultural Centre in person between August 8 - September 9 , 2023.
THEMATIC
New this year, Xpace is introducing the Thematic of Material Process for the 2023grad residency. This thematic is intended to highlight the act of making involved in an artistic practice. Proposals with a strong focus on any kind of material process such as, but not limited to: painting, drawing, performance, textiles and fabrication will be prioritized. Artists are encouraged to think about how the gallery will be used to its full ability as a studio space during the residency. How does process inform your arts practice? What processes are present and situate the conceptual outlook of your final exhibition? How do you translate the process of making?
ARTISTS
The residency offers professional support, mentorship and dedicated time and space to recent OCADU graduates interested in developing a new body of work to exhibit in Xpace’s Window or Project Space for a two month exhibition run beginning September 15 – November 11, 2023.. Two selected artist residents will be provided with the following:- Studio space at Xpace from August 8 - September 9, 2023;
- A solo exhibition at Xpace from September 15 – November 11, 2023.
- A project fee of $440
- Budget of up to $300 for materials
- Inclusion in Xpace’s VOLUME publication in September 2024. (The artist will be working in collaboration with an emerging writer (provided by Xpace or the artist’s choice) to write exhibition text for their project)
CURATORS
The residency intends to offer professional support, mentorship and dedicated time and space to recent OCADU graduates with an interest in curatorial practices. The selected curator will have the opportunity to curate a group exhibition (minimum 3 artists) in Xpace’s Main Space and write an accompanying exhibition text. The curator will be provided with the following:
- Studio space at Xpace from August 8 - September 9, 2023;
- An exhibition at Xpace from September 15 – November 11, 2023.
- A project fee of $440
- CARFAC artist fees for any selected artists
- Budget of up to $300 for materials
- Inclusion in Xpace’s VOLUME publication in September 2023.
DEADLINE: Sunday, June 18th @ 11:59 PM
If you have any questions about the proposal process please contact us at opencall@xpace.info
We are looking forward to your submissions!
Xpace Cultural Centre is seeking workshop proposals from emerging artists, curators and arts administrators for our 2023/2024 Programming Year.
Our workshop program is presented to the Toronto/Tkaronto emerging art and design community free-of-charge. It is programmed annually with the intention of responding to the needs and interests of emerging creative practitioners in our community.
New this year, we ask applicants to consider our three exhibition thematics; Material Process - Fall (Residency for Recent OCAD U Graduates), Space/Place/Environment - Winter, Noise/Chaos/Excess - Summer. For creatively focused workshops, please ensure to outline how your workshop will respond to one or more of the thematics in your workshop proposal.
Workshops are programmed with the intention to empower artists to advocate for themselves and their communities, as well as support creative growth and wellbeing. This could be by providing practical tools for emerging artists to deepen their knowledge of topics ranging from art documentation and intellectual property, to portfolio building and grant writing, tenants rights, to cyber security. Workshops could also offer tools for self and collective care practices such as intentional movement, breath work and mindfulness, as well as boundary setting and de-escalation strategies. We also program workshops geared towards developing creative skill sets such as rug hooking, digital game development and tarot reading.
Xpace will prioritize projects that:
- Utilize free or PWYC resources and/or require minimal to no purchases on behalf of the participants (ie) paid softwares like Adobe, expensive equipment, tools or materials.
- Are accessible to the public and audience(s).
- Engages with specific skills that benefit emerging artists and students.
- Are spotlighting new skills and ideas.
*Xpace Cultural Centre is open to both IRL or URL workshop formats.
Workshop facilitators are paid a fee of CAD $335 to develop and execute their project, with the option of requesting CAD $50 for additional materials.
The duration of a workshop must be 2-3 hours. If you are interested in proposing a larger project, workshop series or partnership, please contact opencall@xpace.info with details with the subject line ‘2023/24 Workshop Open Call’.
*Note: Our workshop call has shifted from a previous ongoing call for submissions. If you have submitted previously, and feel as though your workshop coincides with our various thematics, no need to submit again! Please contact opencall@xpace.info separately with your interest.1. Workshop Title (if applicable)
2. Workshop Outline (500 words max): Please provide a brief overview and description of the workshop you are proposing to facilitate at Xpace. Note how you see the workshop responding to one the exhibition thematics. What format will it take?
3. Learning Objectives (500 words max): Please outline your intention for this workshop. What are you hoping to achieve? What skills, knowledge and / or abilities will participants take away from the workshop? Who are you hoping to engage with and why?
4. Timeline (200 words max): What is your ideal schedule to plan, develop and execute this workshop? Do you have preferred dates/times for the workshop to take place?
5. Support Material (optional): Any materials deemed relevant for the jury to view that will help illustrate your workshop (i.e, if you are hosting a zine-making workshop, including photos of zines you have made in the past).
Applicants are asked to provide the following items:
1. Workshop Title (if applicable)
2. Workshop Outline (500 words max): Please provide a brief overview and description of the workshop you are proposing to facilitate at Xpace. Note how you see the workshop responding to one the exhibition thematics. What format will it take?
3. Learning Objectives (500 words max): Please outline your intention for this workshop. What are you hoping to achieve? What skills, knowledge and / or abilities will participants take away from the workshop? Who are you hoping to engage with and why?
4. Timeline (200 words max): What is your ideal schedule to plan, develop and execute this workshop? Do you have preferred dates/times for the workshop to take place?
5. Support Material (optional): Any materials deemed relevant for the jury to view that will help illustrate your workshop (i.e, if you are hosting a zine-making workshop, including photos of zines you have made in the past).
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023 @ 11:59PM. NO LATE SUBMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTED.
XPACE WILL ONLY ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED THROUGH OUR FORMAL SUBMISSION PROCESS ON SUBMITTABLE AS OUTLINED ABOVE.
THOUGH STAFF IS HAPPY TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK AT ALL MOMENTS OF THE SUBMISSION PROCESS, WE CANNOT RESPOND TO INQUIRIES ASKED THROUGH DIRECT MESSAGE, TEXT OR FACEBOOK MESSENGER. WE ASK THAT APPLICANTS REACH OUT VIA E-MAIL INSTEAD.
APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF THEIR PROPOSAL STATUS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR PROPOSALS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.