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 Xpace staff. There is no fee to apply, and all selected applicants and participants are paid an applicable CARFAC project fee. This Open Call covers all exhibition spaces (Window Space, Main Space, Project Space, and Special Projects) from September 2024 through July 2025.
The 2024-2025 Call for Exhibition Submissions deadline is Sunday, June 9 at 11:59 PM
THEMATICS
Winter Exhibitions: Somewhere/Nowhere/Elsewhere is a thematic that seeks to feel out of place. This thematic encourages projects that combine and draw upon practices, materials, concepts, and timelines that seemingly do not belong together- (a)synchronously creating new meaning, new aesthetics. Applicants are invited to think about how our growing relationship with groundless space such as the Internet manifests. How do we exist somewhere, nowhere, yet elsewhere? If existing online is similar to a performance, how does that implicate the artist? Does the performance ever end? As our relationship with the self- our past, future, digital, perceived selves evolve, what narratives may take place there?
Summer Exhibitions: In celebration of Xpace Cultural Centre’s 20th Anniversary, our summer thematic is Retrospect/Memory/Recollection. This prompt asks applicants to propose projects that center around the process of recalling, the nostalgia of memory, or the passage of time. As growth is intrinsic to time, what can the past tell us about the way we live in the present? How does your subjective experience of the past compare to a collective consciousness? How do we honor the past?
Xpace alumni are also welcome to submit either new work, or a reimagining of a previously presented project. This thematic is intended to embody joyfulness, and celebrate the 20 years of incredible art we’ve had the privilege of showing at Xpace while encouraging a space for critical reflection of the past. How has Xpace impacted your work and practice? How do you encourage space for reflection in your artwork? How do you engage in remembering and reflecting?
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
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 6pm on Friday, May 31, 2024. Please note that due to high interest it might take up to 3-5 days to get to your question.
Xpace recognizes the importance of oral culture in the sharing of language, history, knowledge and practice. We will accept oral submissions, 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 6pm on Friday, May 31th, 2024.
Please reference our submission guidelines and FAQ for more information: https://www.xpace.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/XPACE-OPEN-CALL-FAQ.pdf
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024 @ 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 BY JULY 15, 2024 OF THEIR PROPOSAL STATUS. 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 2024 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 13 - September 12 , 2024.
THEMATIC
Red/Yellow/Blue is the thematic for the 2024 OCAD U Graduate Residency (open to any Spring 2024 OCAD U graduate from any program) . In this thematic we are asking artists to consider how color plays a role in the work that they are intending to create, but also how coming back to basics - whether that be in a formal or conceptual sense - might inform processes of making. As red, yellow, and blue are fundamental to color theory, we encourage submissions that explore foundations or origins. If complexity sprawls out from simplicity, what can the source tell us about where it leads out to? In a literal sense, what is your relationship to color in your work? Extending beyond this, how does your medium’s fundamentals situate themselves in your work? How has understanding the basics in your practice allowed you to evolve?
ARTISTS
The residency offers professional support, mentorship and dedicated time and space to recent OCAD U graduates interested in developing a new body of work to exhibit in Xpace’s Window or Project Space for a two month exhibition. Two selected artist residents will be provided with the following:
- Studio space at Xpace from August 13 - September 12, 2024;
- A solo exhibition at Xpace from September 13 – November 9, 2024.
- A CARFAC Artist fee.
- A materials budget of up to $300.00.
- Inclusion in Xpace’s VOLUME publication in September 2025.
- The artist will work in collaboration with an emerging writer to write exhibition text for their project. This writer will be provided by Xpace or chosen by the artist.
CURATORS
The residency intends to offer professional support, mentorship and dedicated time and space to recent OCAD U 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 13 - September 12, 2024;
- An exhibition at Xpace from September 13 – November 9, 2024.
- A CARFAC Curator fee.
- CARFAC Artist fees for any participating artists.
- A materials budget of up to $300.00.
- Inclusion in Xpace’s VOLUME publication in September 2025.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are asked to provide the following items:
1. 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.
2. Project Description (500 words max): The project description should give a clear and concrete description of the work you are proposing for the Residency. Please specify which exhibition space you're interested 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. CV (Max 2 pages): Your CV should include education and exhibition history, as well as any relevant experience you’d like us to know about.
4. Support Material (10 items max): Images must be in JPG format. You may include links to video and/or audio files. These should be a maximum of 3 minutes in total. Writing excerpts or short essays, prose, or excerpts from longer pieces also accepted.
Please reference our submission guidelines and FAQ for more information: https://www.xpace.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/XPACE-OPEN-CALL-FAQ.pdf
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024 @ 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 BY JULY 15, 2024 OF THEIR PROPOSAL STATUS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR PROPOSALS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.
Xpace Cultural Centre is seeking workshop proposals from emerging artists, curators and arts administrators for our 2024/2025 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.
This year, our three exhibition thematics are; Red/Yellow/Blue - Fall (OCAD University Graduate Residency), Somewhere/Nowhere/Elsewhere- Winter, Retrospect/Memory/Recollection - 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 CARFAC fee 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 ‘2024/25 Workshop Open Call’.
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 9, 2024 @ 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 BY JULY 15, 2024 OF THEIR PROPOSAL STATUS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR PROPOSALS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.