OAA Calls to Artists

Discover Art Opportunities in Durham Region

Calls for Artists, Art Shows & More

Welcome to your go-to hub for artist opportunities in the Region of Durham, Ontario. Find the latest calls to artists from the Oshawa Art Association (OAA), along with listings from our community partners, local art groups, and creative collaborators. Whether you're looking to exhibit, sell your original artwork, or participate in juried art shows, this is your place to stay connected.

Explore upcoming art shows, studio tours, gallery exhibitions and art-related employment opportunities. Stay informed about regional arts events and find out where your art belongs in the vibrant Durham art scene.

Your next artistic opportunity starts here.

Oshawa Art Association

Fall Art Festival
October 4 & 5, 2025
Exhibitors and volunteers needed.

CONVERGENCE
Sept 20, 2025
We’re calling all visual artists, painters, and community volunteers to be part of this dynamic cultural takeover. Whether you want to showcase your art, paint live in front of a crowd, or help bring the event to life, this is your chance to shine.

latcham Art centre

Calling all artisans: Latcham Art Centre’s Beyond Craft Show & Sale returns this November – and applications for artisans are officially open!
What is Beyond Craft?
Every year Latcham Art Centre holds a juried show and sale that acts as a key fundraiser for our community art programming. Beyond Craft features handcrafted work of up to 30 Ontario artisans that draws customers from all over the GTA. For the fourth year in a row, Beyond Craft will be part of the award-winning Stouffville Holiday Market, an event with entertainment for all ages that attracts large crowds to historic downtown Stouffville.
Interested in being a part of this exciting fundraiser at @19onthepark? The Beyond Craft jury is currently looking for unique, handcrafted work
https://www.latchamartcentre.ca/our-events/beyond-craft/application/

City of Oshawa

CONVERGENCE
Visit oshawa.ca/ArtistCalls
Downtown Oshawa Sept 19 & 20
https://www.convergenceoshawa.com/performers-artists

Oshawa’s Bright and Merry Market

It’s Christmas in July! Artisans, crafters and food entrepreneurs are invited to apply now for a complimentary outdoor booth at Oshawa’s Bright and Merry Market on November 13. Running from 5 to 9 p.m., the event is the perfect kick‑off to the holiday season. Vendor applications for art and merchandise close August 24, and food vendor applications close September 14. Get your application in.
https://www.oshawa.ca/en/parks-recreation-and-culture/city-events.aspx

Parkwood Artist-in-Residence Program

Oct & Nov 2025 – Deadline Sept 17
info@parkwoodestate.com

Cultural Expressions for CHANGE Inc

3rd Annual Unity Through the Arts Exhibition
This year, we’re celebrating cultural diversity as lived experience — through rituals, traditions, textiles, food, storytelling, language, spiritual practices, and more. Whether your work explores identity, migration, diaspora, or subcultures like streetwear and skate culture, we want to see it!
All visual art mediums are welcome!
Deadline September 30, 2025
Opening Reception: October 16 | Exhibition Runs: October 17 – November 2
Register Now: https://forms.gle/seTdB9tVUfBAJkqZ9
View Full Call: https://ce4c.ca/events/call-for-artists-2025/

scugog arts

2025 Artist Pop-Up Market and YART Sale
Join Scugog Arts at our summer Pop-Up Market and YART Sale on Saturday, August 16th and Sunday, August 17th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day.
Explore a vibrant selection of handmade goods from talented local artists and craftspeople, ranging from jewellery, crafted furniture, home décor, ceramics and more! Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for the perfect gift, you’ll find one-of-a-kind treasures you won’t see anywhere else.
In addition, we will also be hosting our YART Sale, featuring gently used art supplies and tools. Our YART Sale offers not only the opportunity to discover cost-friendly options for your latest art project, but also the chance to connect with the local art community.
Stop by and meet the makers and support your creative community this summer. Admission is free and everyone is welcome!
No registration is required. It’s a free event and open to anyone looking to discover unique handmade goods or gently used art tools/supplies.
To learn more, or if you have any questions, contact jesse@scugogarts.ca.
The Artist Pop-Up Market will be in the West parking lot and the YART Sale will be in front.
2-268 Queen Street, Port Perry

Now Hiring: Arts & Culture Assistant (Paid Internship)

Are you passionate about the arts and looking to kickstart your career in arts and culture? Scugog Arts is hiring an Arts and Culture Assistant for a paid internship through the Young Canada Works program.
This 18-week opportunity offers hands-on experience in arts programming, event planning, gallery operations, and community engagement. Work alongside a dynamic team, contribute to creative projects, and build professional skills in a vibrant non-profit arts environment.
2-268 Queen Street, Port Perry
https://scugogarts.ca/current-opportunities/

town of whitby

Opportunity Overview
STEPS Public Art and the Town of Whitby invite Ontario-based professional artists (including artist teams) to submit their Request for Qualifications to the first stage of a competition for public artwork(s) that will be installed at one (1) of two (2) locations within the Town of Whitby. Canadian artists who are from Ontario or have a connection to Ontario are encouraged to apply.
The sculptures will be selected through an open, two-stage competition, with a total budget of approximately $50,000 CAD (HST inclusive) per artwork. The project budget includes all costs directly associated with the artwork: including fees for design, fabrication, shipping, installation, engineering and professional services, insurance, permits, travel, foundation and other incidental and production expenses.

Each site has desired themes to help artists direct and focus their proposals and designs. These include:
Unnamed Park (Official name forthcoming) – woodland animals, whimsical, colourful materials
Brooklin Horticultural Society Garden – garden, horticulture, metal/steel to complement existing materials 

Following a competitive Selection Panel process, up to six (6) shortlisted artists will be paid an honorarium of $750 CAD (HST inclusive) to develop a design concept for one (1) site. Shortlisted artists will be assigned sites by the Selection Panel to create detailed proposals. Further information on the above themes will be provided to shortlisted artists. The sites will be described in detail in the Terms of Reference for shortlisted artists. Artwork installation should take place no later than September 30, 2026. Applying artists should be aware and ready to commit to this tighter fabrication and installation schedule.
Details: HERE

Visual Art Centre of Clarington

The VAC is now accepting applications for our Young Canada Works internships! If you are you a recent graduate, this is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic and creative environment.
We’re currently hiring for: Assistant Curator, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Program Assistant.
If you're passionate about art, community, and programming, we’d love to hear from you!
Application Deadline: Friday, September 17, 2025
143 Simpson Avenue, Bowmanville
https://www.vac.ca/careers-landing

Durham Region

Durham Region is seeking five artists with a strong connection to the region to create digital designs for Durham Region Transit shelters. Selected designs will be professionally printed and installed at high-volume shelters across the region. Interested artists are asked to submit an artist statement and a description of their proposed design by noon on August 20. For full details and to apply, visit durham.ca/art.

city of pickering

https://website https://www.pickering.ca/parks-recreation-culture/arts-and-culture/call-to-artists/#

Grants and Funding Opportunities

Grant Alert: Ontario Arts Council

Planning a visual arts initiative? You may be eligible for funding through a grant by the Ontario Arts Council Visual Arts Projects.

The program supports not-for-profit arts organizations, ad hoc groups, collectives, and independent curators to research, present or document the work of professional Ontario visual artists and connect them with Ontario audiences. It also supports other initiatives that benefit the visual arts community such as exhibitions, festivals, catalogues/publications, curatorial research, and residency programs.

Funding amounts vary by category, but projects could be eligible for up to $15,000. The deadline to apply is October 28.

https://www.arts.on.ca/grants/visual-arts-projects#what-this-program-funds