– Submission Period: February 16 – March 15, 2026 –

The Craig Gallery is committed to accessibility and welcomes applications from all artists. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Submission Requirements

All applications must be submitted as one complete PDF document, labeled with the artist’s name (e.g., Smith_Jane.pdf). Please optimize images for web/print resolution to keep file size under 10 MB. Submissions exceeding this size will not be accepted.

Your PDF should include:

• Concept Statement (300–500 words): A clearly written description of the proposed project outlining the core idea, key themes, and artistic approach.
• CV (one page): A current curriculum vitae including contact information, your location, and links to your website and/or relevant social media (if applicable). Please indicate whether you identify as an emerging or established artist.
• Work Samples: Up to 10 digital images of recent work relevant to the proposal, accompanied by an image list including artist name, title, date, medium, and dimensions.
• Proposals for New Work: If the proposed project has not yet been created, include a detailed description of your intentions, supported by examples of past work that demonstrate your capacity to realize the project.

Please do not submit original slides, artwork, or master DVDs. The gallery is not responsible for lost or damaged submissions.

Eligibility & Expectations

• Priority will be given to artists who are currently living in and actively developing their practice within the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) or elsewhere in Nova Scotia. Applications from artists based in other Canadian provinces may be considered if their work demonstrates a strong connection to the local community and context.
• The Craig Gallery prioritizes artists who are local to the region or able to be present for the duration of their exhibition. Artists are expected to participate in key activities, including installation, deinstallation, the opening reception, and any scheduled artist talks, and to remain reasonably accessible for exhibition-related matters such as artwork sales or media inquiries. We understand circumstances may change; any changes in availability must be communicated promptly, as adjustments may not always be possible and could affect the feasibility of the exhibition.
• The Craig Gallery is particularly interested in new, innovative, and original works, with a focus on supporting emerging local and provincial artists. Proposals for 3D works, 2D works, film, video, technological works, ceramics, and fabric art are all welcome.
• Exhibitions must consist primarily of new work. At least 80% of the works included must not have been previously exhibited within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Re-using a limited number of works from past exhibitions is acceptable where they support a new body of work or concept.
• Artists submitting work that engages with the cultural heritage, symbols, histories, lived experiences, or practices of a specific community must belong to that community or demonstrate a meaningful connection to it. Proposals should clearly describe the artist’s relationship with the community and how this informs the creation and presentation of the work. Submissions will also be assessed for ethical engagement with the communities represented, including respect for cultural knowledge, collaboration, and consent.
• To support a diversity of artists, those who have exhibited at The Craig Gallery within the past three years are not eligible for selection, ensuring space for new and emerging voices.
• While not mandatory, artists are encouraged to engage with the public during the exhibition by sitting in the gallery or giving an artist talk; please indicate your availability for such activities in your application.
  

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals are evaluated based on artistic merit, clarity of concept, feasibility within the gallery’s resources, and alignment with the gallery’s mission to engage the local community.

Review & Notification

Proposals will be reviewed in late March and early April 2026. Applicants can expect to be notified by mid-April 2026.

The Craig Gallery accepts proposals on an ongoing basis from professional and emerging artists and curators. Exhibitions are scheduled approximately two years in advance.

Gallery Spaces

• Main Gallery: The primary exhibition space. (see images below)
• Window Gallery Spaces:
  Large Window: 84″h × 36″d × 72″w
  Small Window: 84″h × 36″d × 36″w

The Case Gallery schedule generally coincides with the main gallery openings, with most exhibitions lasting approximately one month.

About the Gallery

It is the mission of The Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing Community Cultural Centre to increase awareness and understanding of contemporary visual arts within the community through exhibitions, lectures and symposia, public programs, publications, and adherence to best practice museum standards. The Craig Gallery seeks to present and facilitate the widest possible range of art practices and to reflect excellence and cultural diversity through all aspects of its programs. Part of our mission is to showcase new and diverse talent, support emerging artists, and promote their work to help them advance their careers.