Calls to Artists

Call for Reviewers: St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP)

As part of the City’s revised SCCIP Policy (adopted in fall 2025), SCCIP review committees shall be comprised of individuals that reflect, as best as possible, a diversity of knowledge, experience and perspective in the areas of arts and culture and, ideally, both professional and community practice. Review committees will include at least five individuals, including two members of the City’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

The City is therefore seeking applications from interested members of the arts community to sit on SCCIP review committees this spring. Individuals will review applications to either the Sustaining – Core and Midsized programs or the Arts Development and Culture Builds Community programs. More information about these programs, and SCCIP in general, can be found on the SCCIP page of the City’s website. 

Eligibility

Any interested applicant must:

• Be an engaged member of the arts community in Ontario, either as an artist, arts worker, arts administrator, arts educator, or board member/volunteer of an arts organization; and,
• Be available between April 24 and May 26 to:
  • review and score grant applications; and,
  • meet to discuss and allocate funding.

Important dates

• Application Deadline: Tuesday April 21, 2026
• Notification: Thursday April 23, 2026

About the review committees

Members of the review committees will:

• Thoroughly review all applications within the time allocated (generally 2-3 weeks);
• Score all applications using evaluation tools provided by City staff;
• Share scores with the Culture Office no later than 24 hours before the agreed-upon meeting time;

• Be available to participate in one 4-hour in-person/video meeting to discuss applications and allocate funding (meeting date/time TBD based on review committee members’ schedules); and,

• Abide by the Conflict of Interest section of the SCCIP Policy (p.11).

An honorarium of $350 will be provided to each review committee member.

How to apply

Interested individuals are invited to apply by emailing the City of St. Catharines Culture Division with the following information:

• Your resume / C.V.
• A short paragraph (250 words max.) detailing why you would like to participate as a SCCIP review committee member.

Please also indicate if you would like to be considered for future review committee work.

Call to Artists - Pride Exhibition 

Full Colour: A Celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Art and Expression

The City of St. Catharines invites submissions from 2SLGBTQIA+ artists for Full Colour: A Celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Art and Expression, a group exhibition presented during Pride Month in June.

Full Colour celebrates the depth, diversity, and vibrancy of queer and trans artistic practices. This exhibition will bring together artists working across disciplines to explore the many ways 2SLGBTQIA+ communities express identity, build connection, and imagine new possibilities.

We welcome submissions that engage with themes including, but not limited to:

• Identity, gender, and sexuality

• Visibility, resistance, and advocacy

• Joy, celebration, and chosen family

• Memory, history, and community archives

• Transformation, fluidity, and becoming

• Futures, imagination, and queer world-building

Artists at all stages of their careers are encouraged to apply, including emerging, mid-career, and established artists. We strongly encourage submissions from artists who reflect the diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary, racialized, Indigenous, disabled, and neurodivergent artists.

We invite you to share your work and be part of a collective celebration of creativity, resilience, and expression in full colour.

The exhibition will be installed in the exhibition space on the third floor of City Hall (50 Church St., St. Catharines).

There are no costs associated with entry. 

Selected artists will be compensated $225, based on 2026 CARFAC Fee Schedule Section.

Important Dates

Exhibition Dates: June 11, 2026 to August. 14, 2026 

Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 11.30 p.m.

Selected Artists Notified by Email: Friday May 22, 2026 

Artwork Delivery: Monday, June 1, 2026 

Opening Reception: Thursday, June 11, 2026 

Artwork Pick-Up: Monday, August. 17, 2026

Eligibility 

• Open to all emerging, student and established artists, designers and collectives from across the Niagara Region. 

• Artworks must be original.

• All selected artworks will be made available for display for the entire period of the exhibition.

• Each work must either be:

  • Equipped and suitable for hanging on a track hanging system and must not exceed 25 kg. (2D works)

  • Suitable for display in a 18” x 18” x 18” pedestal display case (3D works)

Note: Only 1 sculptural piece will accepted for display. 

How to Submit

Complete the application form and upload any additional information online.

Apply now

Open Call to Artists - All Disciplines 

The St. Catharines Culture Plan 2025-2030: Stay for the Culture presents a transformative vision for culture in St. Catharines, outlining a strategic roadmap to guide municipal support for arts and culture over the next five years. 

As part of this roadmap, we are planning to provide additional opportunities for artists of all disciplines to engage the public in activities, lead workshops and host performances in a variety of public spaces throughout the city. These experiences will enrich lives, foster pride, and ensure a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable cultural sector within the city.

Eligibility 

This application form is an open call to all artist(s), artist ad-hoc groups or arts and culture organizations seeking to lead a workshop or arts activity as part of programming initiatives undertaken by the City of St. Catharines.

How to submit

Complete the application form and upload any additional information online.

Apply now

Live music programming

Each year, we feature a variety of live music programming at Market Square. These concerts help enhance our Farmers Market and add vibrant character to our downtown. 

To apply, complete our Musician Application Form. We accept applications throughout the year and welcome submissions from artists with original songs and covers of recording artists.