Call for Submissions

We welcome exhibition proposals from professional, local, emerging artists, instructors, students, and culture groups in the areas of fine art, craft, and digital arts for temporary public exhibitions.

There are two types of exhibiting spaces: the Corridor Galleries and the Main Gallery at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC).

Artwork must be either two-dimensional or three-dimensional, and must be original, handmade, or one-of-a-kind. Artwork must be completed and ready for exhibition. Please note that we are not accepting media art or performance art at this time.

Exhibiting in the Corridor Galleries is free. The duration of group and solo shows in the open corridors is three to four months. There are three exhibition seasons: winter, spring/summer, and fall. All works in the Corridors are displayed using a gallery track hanging system. It is highly recommended that works on paper be framed.

The Main Gallery at QEPCCC presents professional artwork by local artists for a fee. Content ranges from historical to contemporary themes. Exhibitions may also include works by national and international artists and exhibitions proposed by curators or collectives. Weekly rental rates apply for a minimum of three weeks.

The application deadline is September 1 and February 1. Selected artists will be contacted approximately two months following the deadline date.

Applications are to be submitted online and must include:

• The completed online application form.
• A description of works for exhibition with details regarding the issues or ideas explored. All artwork must be completed, finished work and paintings must be dry. Works in progress will not be reviewed.
• Three to 10 JPEG images of your work. Do not submit artwork that will not be in the exhibition.
• Image list.
• Artist resume, curriculum vitae or art groups’ exhibition history (three pages maximum).

Please email exhibitions@oakville.ca if you have any questions.

Corridor Galleries

Corridor exhibition opportunities are available at QEPCCC, Trafalgar Park Community Centre (Rebecca Street), Glen Abbey Community Centre, and Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre (Reynolds Street).

Exhibiting in the Corridor Galleries is free. Corridor exhibitions are programmed seasonally for four months:

• Winter (January to April)
• Spring/Summer (May to August)
• Fall (September to December).

For an overview of QEPCCC, open the QEPCCC Corridor Galleries map (pdf). For details on each corridor, including measurements and wall texture, open the QEPCCC Corridor Galleries guide (pdf).

QEPCCC Main Gallery

The Main Gallery at QEPCCC presents professional artwork by local artists for a fee. Content ranges from historical to contemporary themes. Exhibitions may also include works by national and international artists and exhibitions proposed by curators or collectives.

Rental rates range from $285 to $389 weekly for a minimum of three weeks.

Open the Main Gallery floor plan (pdf).

Policies and procedures

• Temporary Corridors Exhibition Purpose and Procedures (pdf)
• QEPCCC Main Gallery Exhibition Purpose and Procedures (pdf)

Contact QEPCCC staff at 905-815-5979 if you have any questions.

Are you a young artist between 11 and 19, looking for a space to exhibit your work? The Youth Corridor Galleries at Queen Elizabeth Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) provide a platform for emerging youth artists and students from the community at large. 

We are interested in showcasing original artwork and offering youth the chance to gain valuable experience in the exhibition process, including the installation and display of their works, with potential opportunities to sell their artwork. Exhibiting in the Youth Corridor Galleries is free. Each exhibition runs for three to four months, with seasons in winter, spring/summer, and fall. Exhibition opportunities are open to youth artists in Oakville and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Please review the exhibition submissions and applications information before completing the form.

Application deadlines are September 1 and February 1. Selected youth artists will be contacted approximately two months after the deadline.

Application forms and submission requirements

A complete online Call for Youth Exhibitions at QEPCCC form for an exhibition in the Youth Corridor. Details on the form will consist of:

• A short description of your artwork. Briefly describe the works for the exhibition. Include details regarding issues or ideas explored. Please also outline why you would like to exhibit your work at QEPCCC.
• Uploading a minimum of five images of each work you are proposing to display. Images must be of completed work. Images must be in JPEG format with a maximum file size of 1 MB. Do not submit artwork that will not be in the exhibition. 
• Information about each artwork including title, size, medium and value.

Do not send original artwork.

After receiving notification of acceptance by email, applicants will receive an Exhibitor's Agreement and Guidelines. An information meeting with town staff will also be scheduled to help prepare for the upcoming exhibition. 

Email exhibitions@oakville.ca for more information.

2024-2025 exhibitions at Oakville community and cultural centre galleries

Next deadline: February 1, 2025.

The Town of Oakville welcomes proposals from artists, collectives, curators and community groups in the areas of fine art, craft, performance art and digital arts for exhibition spaces in either the Main Gallery at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) and/or the Corridor Galleries in other Oakville facilities.

The Exhibitions Review Committee reviews proposals twice a year. The committee helps staff to adjudicate exhibition applications for corridor/gallery displays and exhibitions. The purpose of the committee is to:

• Review all applications for exhibitions.
• Offer constructive comment concerning the exhibition applications and to recommend applications to town staff for exhibition.

The purpose of the exhibition program for the Main Gallery at QEPCCC and Corridor Galleries is to:

• Continually showcase creative work to the public that is important to the community.
• Priority for exhibitions will be to exhibit professional artwork by local artists in the areas of fine art, craft, performance art and digital arts, which range in content from historical to contemporary themes. Exhibitions may also include works by national and international artists and exhibitions proposed by curators.
• Provide a combination of gallery rentals and exhibitions organized by town staff including partnerships with internal organizations.

Nominations for positions on the committee shall be sought from the community at large with a preference for demonstrated knowledge of arts and culture in Oakville, reflective of our programs and members.

Contact the Cultural Supervisor at tonia.dirisio@oakville.ca for the Terms of Reference for the Exhibitions Review Committee and to submit nominations.