The Canada Council Art Bank will spend $600,000 to buy art from under-represented Canadian artists in its first major call for submissions since 2011.
Simon Brault, the council's chief executive, says the purchases will address "historical inequities" in the collection.
Priority will be given to work by artists who self-identify as:
- Indigenous, Black or racialized
- Deaf or having a disability
- Women
- Youth
- 2SLGBTQ and gender-diverse
- Official language minorities
Works by artists not yet in the collection will also be a priority.
The 2011 call for purchases saw 1,875 submissions and the acquisition of 52 works valued at $303,025.
The council says submissions from all artists – whether emerging or established, as well as groups or collaborations – will be considered, as will submissions by dealers, gallery owners and artist cooperatives.
Artists must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, although they need not live in Canada. The art must have been produced in the last five years. Eligible work includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, fine craft and limited-edition prints and photographs. The Art Bank no longer purchases films, videos, installations or large outdoor sculptures.
Submissions are assessed based on artistic merit, relevance and feasibility by a committee of artistic peers.
The deadline is Sept. 14.
For more information, read the guidelines and download the declaration and application forms.
Source: Canada Council Art Bank