2026 Northern Ontario Juried Exhibition

Call for Artists

Thunder Bay Art Gallery is proud to announce the return of the Northern Ontario Juried Exhibition in 2026. This triannual exhibition showcases art from across Northern Ontario, bringing together artists from a wide range of lived experiences. Juried by a panel of local, regional, and provincial artists, the Juried Exhibition highlights the strength and significance of makers and artists in Northern Ontario.  

With a long history in our region, the Juried survey plays a role in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. The exhibition will be held from July 5 to September 13, 2026. 

The exhibition is open to all artists living and practicing in Northwestern and Northeastern Ontario.  

All media will be considered, and works must be original and completed since the last Juried Exhibition in the summer of 2023. Artwork that challenges, expands, and innovates is encouraged. Artists and practices of all types are welcome. A maximum of three (3) works per artist will be accepted for submission. 

Thunder Bay Art Gallery recognizes that barriers to access exist for many artists interested in applying. We encourage submissions from historically underrepresented groups, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), LGBTQIA2S+ identifying individuals, Deaf persons, and persons with disabilities.  

Submissions should include:

• Completed Online Submission Form
• Biography (50-100 words) 
• Experience (100-300 words) (A short description of your background, professional or experiential training and experiences, including mentorship, learning from family members, and skills-based learning and exhibition or presentation history.)  
• Description of Artwork(s) (optional)
• Maximum of 3 images or media for each submitted work (JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, HEIC, MOV, AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, WAV, MP3).
• File names for images and media must include title of work and artist’s last name (Eg. Sunset Landscape_Fiddler.jpeg)
• Submitted images and media must be of the completed work and not works-in-progress
• $10.00 non-refundable submission fee (covers 1-3 artworks per submission). Online Payment and in-person cash and debit accepted (cash and debit payments available for in-person submissions only).  

Entry Guidelines

• Artworks previously presented at Thunder Bay Art Gallery are ineligible—we need to keep it fresh. 

• Artworks need to be completed within the years 2023-2026. 

• Artwork created in the context of a Visual Arts Degree (student work) is not eligible for the Juried Exhibition. 

• All works must be ready for display. 

• All shipping arrangements and associated costs are the responsibility of the artist. Thunder Bay Art Gallery will not accept cash on delivery (COD) shipments. 

• The artist, by submission of entry, grants Thunder Bay Art Gallery the right to photograph accepted work for publicity, educational, and reference purposes.  

• No entry may be withdrawn once it has been accepted nor removed from the exhibition until after the closing date. 

• Artist fees paid to selected artists.  

Questions or need assistance? Contact Thunder Bay Art Gallery staff at info@theag.ca or (807) 577-6427.