Call for Submissions:

BIPOC Winter Exhibition @ MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie

The MacLaren Art Centre invites submissions from Black, Indigenous and racialized artists based in Ontario for consideration for a small group exhibition, on the theme of “Growing Pains” to take place over the 2026-2027 Winter season.  

Submission deadline: July 19, 2026, 11:59pm ET

Interior of the MacLaren Art Centre’s Carnegie Room. Photo by LF Documentation.

Theme 

The theme of “Growing Pains” can refer to the discomfort and resistance experienced during the process of growth, which may be bodily, social, cultural, psychological, emotional, or related to any axes of identity. The theme welcomes explorations into the resolutions of growing pains, whether that be joy, triumphs, acceptance, etc. Artists may approach the theme through personal experience, or observations of others, society/culture, or nature. The call encourages any interpretation of the theme. 

Eligibility 

  • Open to Black and Indigenous artists, and artists of colour 
  • Artists must be emerging (practicing for less than 10 years, regardless of age or formal training) 
  • Artists must be living or working in Ontario 
  • Artists must have an existing body of artwork available to be shown 

Artwork Parameters 

  • Artworks must be able to be wall-hung (due to the gallery being multipurpose) 
  • Artworks can be in any media (including but not limited to works on paper/canvas/board, low profile sculptures, and hanging textiles) 
  • Artworks should not be particularly sensitive to sunlight (due to the gallery’s large windows) 

How To Submit 

Deadline: July 19, 2026, 11:59pm ET 

Submit ONE PDF document (max. 20 MB) compiling: 

  • Biography (max. 500 words about yourself as an artist, about your practice generally, and contact information) 
  • Artist statement (max. 500 words about the specific artworks you’re submitting and their relationship to the theme) 
  • Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages outlining relevant experiences, exhibitions, publishing, etc) 
  • Artworks for consideration (10-20 clear artwork images, each with corresponding details: title, year, medium, and dimensions) 

Submit via email to yasmeen@maclarenart.com. Alternatively, PDFs may be sent via We-Transfer, Google Drive, or OneDrive. 

Questions and requests for assistance should be directed to yasmeen@maclarenart.com / 705-720-1044 x 226 in advance of the deadline, allowing at least three business days for a response. 

Exterior of the MacLaren Art Centre. Photo by Max Power Photography.

Key Dates 

  • Submission Deadline: July 19, 2026, 11:59pm ET
  • Notification Period: July 27 – 31, 2026 
  • Installation Period: November 14 – December 9, 2026 
  • Opening Reception: December 10, 2026
  • Exhibition Run: December 10, 2026 – February 28, 2027 

Payment 

  • Selected artists will be paid in accordance with the 2026 CARFAC-RAAV schedule for exhibitions, and any exhibition-related programing. 

About The Maclaren Art Centre 

The MacLaren Art Centre is a free public art gallery located in downtown Barrie, Ontario. With over 4,300 works of Canadian art in the Permanent Collection, and with the support of a keen volunteer team, the gallery serves an immediate community of 450,000 people across Simcoe County and central Ontario. 

The MacLaren Art Centre approaches its work with a regional responsibility and an appreciation for the national sensibility, responding to issues that matter in its immediate community within the broader context of the provincial and national cultural framework. The gallery offers a variety of historical and contemporary exhibitions that focus on visual art and visual culture by Canadian artists of national and regional significance.