elected membership Process

Application Process

Please Note: Elected Membership is open to all professional artists who are either:
1) A Canadian-born citizen living in Canada, or temporarily or permanently living outside of Canada.
2) Born outside of Canada but have become a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.

The SCA is pleased to announce there are TWO pathways to Elected Membership status:

1) ELECTION BY JURY: One of two annual CALLS FOR ELECTED MEMBERSHIP, (Spring and Fall). 

2) The alternate method of THREE SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITIONS: If you have been successfully accepted into three (3) SCA juried exhibitions in the previous five (5) years, you may forego the traditional application process and submit directly to the SCA Board of Directors via email: NewMembers@SocietyofCanadianArtists.com. 

Also note: You may register at any time as an Associate Member at [Become an Associate Member] which gives you access to two shows per year, facilitating this alternate approach.

Important Dates and information

  • Application Window: Spring Call opens March 6, 2025 – closes April 6th, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET. 
  • Non-refundable application jury fee $75 CAD.
  • Your application must include TEN (10) artworks completed in the previous three (3) years.
  • You will submit one primary image per entry, and may attach up to three supporting images
    (close-up details, work-in-progress, or alternate angles).
  • Your application must also include an updated artist’s CV in PDF or DOC format, submitted to ArtCall.org as the eleventh entry in your application.
  • It is best to prepare all images and factual information prior to beginning your application, though you may revise your submissions at any time up to the close of the call. We encourage promptness to avoid any unforeseen technical difficulties, such as your internet connectivity.
  • Digital images must be in JPG format (PC/ MAC compatible). Please show only the artwork (no frame or mat, no extraneous background).
  • Images may be up to 10 MB in size each.

NEXT Call for Elected Membership Opens FALL 2025 : Dates TBA

entry conditions and image specifications

Applicants must verify that their submitted work meets the following conditions and ensure their image files meet the specifications as noted.

  • All work must have been completed in the previous THREE (3) years. 
  • All work must be original artwork and must NOT be copies or derivatives of any other person’s work, in any media, copyrighted or not.  
  • All work must solely created by the applicant, without guidance from an instructor or mentor.  
  • All media must be clearly identified, and may include techniques such as: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Fiber Art, Photography, Mixed Media and Digital Art.
  • Artwork generated using an artificial intelligence (AI) platform is NOT permitted.
Applications are Currently Closed

The Jurying Process

Applicants may apply in one of two categories: Representational or Contemporary, whichever you feel best represents your work. Each category will be juried by professional SCA Elected Members who specialize in those domains. 

Our Spring 2025 Jury

Contemporary Jurors
Lynda Lynn
Kathleen Roby
Andrew Sookrah

Representational Jurors
Liane Bedard
Pim Sekeris
Audrey Smith

Jurying Criteria

Applications for Elected membership will have their work assessed on the following three criteria:

1. Technical Excellence:

Technical excellence encompasses a comprehensive understanding of the elements of design. Submissions will be assessed based on the artist’s mastery of technical skills, demonstrating a high level of proficiency and craftsmanship in the chosen medium. Jurors will consider the artist’s skillful technical execution evident in each artwork.

2. Artistic Expression:

Artistic expression is the soul of the piece, capturing the viewer’s attention and fostering a meaningful connection. This category focuses on the artist’s ability to convey emotions, ideas, and concepts through their work. Jurors will assess the depth of expression, originality of interpretation, and the artist’s unique voice evident in the artwork.

3. Creative Innovation:

Creative innovation emphasizes originality, encouraging artists to surprise and engage viewers with fresh perspectives, unconventional techniques, or novel concepts. Jurors will seek artworks that challenge norms, inspire new ways of seeing, and demonstrate a courageous willingness to explore uncharted artistic territories.

Download the complete
SCA Judging Framework in English.
(PDF)

Téléchargez l’intégralité
Cadre de jugement SCA en français.
(PDF)

your Curriculum vitae (CV)

Your artistic experience and background are given consideration during the jurying process as your body of work.  As part of the submission process, you will be required to submit your Curriculum Vitae (CV) which must contain the following 11 sections.

Your CV must be submitted to ArtCall.org in the same application alongside your ten portfolio images. Please upload a PDF or DOC format, in the same manner as your JPG images. Please do not send by separate email. This is the only way jurors can locate your CV. 

  1. Professional Development: Include art education, training, major workshops attended, etc.
  2. Memberships & Affiliations: include only those art associations that were obtained through the process of jury or election.
  3. Exhibitions: Limit information to the last 10 years.
  4. Galleries, Public/ Private Collections: List galleries you are associated with, and any major corporate or public collections that have collected your work.
  5. Awards, Public Recognition & Other Accomplishments: limit award information to the last 10 years, and other artistic accomplishments that have not been noted elsewhere on this application.
  6. Publications: list any publications your work has been featured in, written articles, books, newspapers, etc.
  7. Contributions to the Artistic Community: Include art-related professional experience such as teaching, instructing workshops, volunteerism, and jurying experience.
  8. Personal Contribution to the SCA: A brief statement on how you would, if accepted as an Elected Member, personally voluntarily contribute to the work of the SCA. If possible, list specific areas of expertise you may have such as workshop coordination, exhibition coordination, website knowledge, etc.
  9. Biography and Artist Statement/ Vision: Keep the two separate. A combined maximum of 400 words. Include a vision of where your work is and where you want it to be in the future.
  10. Motivation For Becoming an Elected Member of the SCA: A brief statement on your reasons for applying for Elected membership, including how you heard about the Society of Canadian Artists.
  11. Introduction Statement & Image: Should your application be successful, this statement may be included in the SCA newsletter, the SCA website, and a slide show introducing newly Elected Members at the SCA Annual General Meeting/ Holiday Party. Please indicate which one of your 10 images you would like included with this statement.