Call for Artists
SCA 58th Juried Exhibition
$18,000 total cash prize awards
Call is open to all SCA Members in good standing.
Want to become a Member? Join as an Associate Member HERE
Submission Call Deadline: June 28, 2026
Virtual Awards Gala and Winners Announced: July 17, 2026
Exhibition: July 17-August 31, 2026
Exhibition Theme
What, where, who is the HOME that inspires you?
In 1957, the Society of Canadian Artists (known then as the Society of Cooperative Artists) partnered with the United Steelworkers Union to create a space where artists could exhibit their art. The Union provided the space, and the artists provided the art – including non-traditional forms that were rejected elsewhere.
This shelter empowered artists, fostered collaboration and celebrated artistic excellence. The result were exhibitions by artists like Jack Pollock, Alexandra Luke and Hortense Gordon whose unbridled creations challenged traditional norms of art in Canada and pushed Canadian art towards modernism.
For our 58th Juried Exhibition, the Society of Canadian Artists welcomes submissions portraying Home – the space that inspires your creative boldness. Through your artwork in either the Representational or Contemporary category, show us the literal, figurative or interpretive place that drives your craft.
Does the “hand-made rebellion” that champions traditionally made artwork rooted in acceptance over perfection resonate Home in your practice? Perhaps a feeling of Home is represented in an abstract creation. Maybe it’s your unique creative process such as moulding craggy textures, or brushing painterly strokes amidst bouts of moody gestures. For some, Home is a person.
Almost 70 years later and over 500 members strong since our first home was built, we look forward to receiving your submissions in all forms, and hope that you will find your Home with the Society of Canadian Artists.
$18,000 in awards!
Representational
1st Award of Distinction ($3,000)
2nd Award of Distinction ($1,500)
Creative Innovation Award ($1,000)
Artistic Expression Award ($1,000)
Technical Excellence Award ($1,000)
Contemporary
1st Award of Distinction ($3,000)
2nd Award of Distinction ($1,500)
Creative Innovation Award ($1,000)
Artistic Expression Award ($1,000)
Technical Excellence Award ($1,000)
In addition, there will be 6 Honourable Mention Awards ($500)
Two Categories to Enter
Submit your work under either the Representational or Contemporary categories.
The SCA has two categories for each exhibition: Representational and Contemporary. These categories reflect our commitment to celebrating a wide array of styles, genres and mediums of artistic expression.
Representational welcomes works that explore the world around us, whether through detailed portrayals or personal interpretations of familiar scenes. This category embraces a broad range of approaches, allowing artists to connect with the viewer in meaningful ways.
Contemporary invites artists to explore fresh perspectives, new ideas, and unique ways of expressing themselves. It’s a space where diverse approaches are encouraged, from abstract to conceptual works.
With two separate five-person juries for each category, made up of professionals who understand the essence of both approaches, artists will have the opportunity to be celebrated for their individuality.
Artists may select the category, Representational OR Contemporary, for each of their three artworks. For example, an artist may select all three pieces to be in the same category, or they may submit one or more pieces in one category and the other piece(s) in the other category.
Be Seen. Be Celebrated!
Gain recognition and visibility by being part of Canada’s top talent!
Call Information
Exhibition: Online exhibition will be showcased on the SCA website
Submission Deadline: June 28, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET
Results Notification by Email: TBD
Exhibition Dates: July 17 – August 31, 2026
Virtual Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony: July 17, 2026 (time to be confirmed)
Maximum number of entries: 3 per artist
VIRTUAL AWARD GALA July 17, 2026
In addition to the increased prizes, we are delighted to announce a virtual gala event for the Grand Opening. This online celebration will bring together artists, art lovers, and members of the SCA community from across the country to enjoy and discuss the incredible works on display. The virtual format ensures that everyone can participate and share in the excitement, regardless of their location.
We encourage all SCA members to participate. Whether through innovative techniques, unique perspectives, or compelling subject matter, we look forward to seeing how you will bring your untold stories to life.
Our Jurors
Contemporary Jurors
TBD
Representational Jurors
TBD
See below for the downloadable jury rubric.
Eligibility, Terms & Conditions of Entry
Know the Rules – please read carefully.
By submitting your entry, you are agreeing to the following:
1. The Exhibition is open to all members in good standing (Elected, Honorary, Life and Associate Members of the SCA.)
2. 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. NOTE: If you use reference photos, YOU must have taken the photo.
3. All work must solely created by the applicant, without guidance from an instructor or mentor.
4. The media must be clearly identified and may include techniques such as: painting, drawing, pastel, printmaking, sculpture, fibre art, photography, mixed media, and digital art.
5. Artwork generated using an artificial intelligence (AI) platform is NOT permitted.
6. Art must have been completed on or after May 1, 2023 and must not have been previously exhibited in an SCA exhibition. Submissions with variations from previously accepted work may be deemed to be a resubmittal, and therefore ineligible.
7. There are no size restrictions for artwork for this online Exhibition.
8. Using the ArtCall platform, artists may edit their entries until the call closes. No changes can be made after the deadline.
9. As part of our due diligence process to ensure fairness and transparency, we will request the following documentation to verify compliance with our entry terms:
a) Photos of Your Artwork in Progress: Images showing the development stages of your artwork.
b) Source Material: This may include original sketches, reference photographs, or other materials demonstrating that the work is your own creation and not derivative of other copyrighted works.
c) If you create recognizable likenesses of people, you must include consent forms or model release forms.
d) Additional Information (if applicable): Any supplementary details or materials that support the originality of your artwork.
10. Artists may submit up to 3 views of an individual artwork. You may show multiple views of works in 3D format, relief works, rich texture and wrapped canvases, and/or details of works 2D or 3D.
11. To ensure fairness for all participants, entries are expected to comply with the conditions outlined above, including, but not limited to: the removal of the artwork from the exhibition, the forfeiting of award prizes, a prohibition from entry to future SCA exhibitions, and the artist expulsion from the SCA.
12. The artist by submission grants the SCA the right to utilize images of the accepted work for the Exhibition’s publicity and website purposes.
13. Artwork does not have to be for sale. Please write: NFS for the price. Other exhibitions have different requirements.
14. All acceptance and decline decisions are final. There are no refunds for application fees.
Image Specifications
ArtCall provides guidelines for images:
1.May be in jpg or png format
2. Minimum image dimensions: 960px
3. Maximum image dimensions: 4800px
4.Image files are to be named using the following convention:
FirstName LastName, Title, Medium, Size**.jpg (ie: Pat Doe, My Painting Title, Acrylic, 18×24.jpg)
*Images that do not meet these specifications will fail to upload. Please make sure your files are sized properly before you begin the submission process.
**Size to be specified in INCHES in HxWxD with D-Depth only required for 3-D work.
how to enter
If you have any questions, please contact the Exhibition Director at: exhibitions@societyofcanadianartists.com
Jurying Rubric
Jury Rubric SCA Exhibitions (March 2025)
Cadre de Sélection des Œuvres pour les Expositions de la SCA (mars 2025)