Call for Submissions!
30 under 30 (ish):
An Exhibition and Festival Celebrating Young Artists
The Chester Art Centre is now accepting submissions for 30 Under 30(ish), a group exhibition and festival celebrating young artists, funded in part by the Canadian Government’s Federal Department of Heritage.
30 Under 30 (ish) will be a vibrant celebration of the next generation of visual artists and performers. The three-week long exhibition will be an eclectic yet thoughtfully curated show sharing some of the best Nova Scotia has to offer and will be accompanied by a weekend festival with performances, interactive experiences, local vendors, food, drinks and fun!
Detailed submission requirements are outlined below.
SUBMIT YOUR WORK FOR 30 UNDER 30!
Exhibition Runs: August 10th to September 4th
Exhibition Opening Party: August 10th 5-7pm
Festival Dates: August 11th - 13th from 10am – 4pm
Submission deadline is: April 30th, 2023
Notification to all applicants will be made by May 22, 2023
Submission Requirements
Both the Exhibition and Festival are paid opportunities for young artists at all stages of their careers. BIPOC artists, artists living with disabilities and those who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply, as well as artists living or working in Lunenburg County.
Please note that while we will consider submissions from anywhere in the Maritimes, artists will be responsible for the transport of their work to and from the gallery, as well as their own accommodations.
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Exhibition Proposals:
Chester Art Centre is seeking young artists (ages 30 or so and under) to submit one or more pieces up to a maximum of four (4). If submitting multiple pieces, they should be part of the same series and be consistent both thematically and stylistically. Artists working in all media are invited to submit.
Submissions must include the following:
1. Image(s) of work(s) in jpg or png format with maximum 1024 x 1024 resolution.
2. A brief artist statement.
3. Detailed dimensions and any special requirements for displaying the work.
4. Brief artist bio.
5. Current CV*
*Recommended, but optional. We understand that artists applying will have varying degrees of experience, and we seek to reduce barriers in applying.
All special equipment and/or display materials will be supplied by the artist. If the artist does not have this equipment or materials CAC will make their best efforts to assist in procuring them.
Chester Art Centre will supply:
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$500.00 honorarium to each artist
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Opening reception
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Colour promotional materials
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Inclusion in CAC publicity
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Personnel to invigilate the show during exhibition’s open hours (we do encourage artists to invigilate as well and promote these times with their audience).
Festival Proposals:
The Chester Art Centre is seeking young artists (ages 30 or so and under) including but not limited to: visual artists, spoken word artists, musicians and other performers to offer artistic experiences for individuals, mini workshops, performances, collaborative opportunities, or any other festival-worthy experience.
Submissions must include the following:
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An application cover letter including a title, a clear description of the concept, and how you plan to engage with the public.
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An artist bio and a current photo.
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A list of space and/or installation requirements.
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Images to represent your concept in jpeg format max. 1024 x 1024 resolution.
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Current CV*
*Recommended, but optional. We understand that artists applying will have varying degrees of experience, and we seek to reduce barriers in applying.
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All special equipment and/or display materials will be supplied by the artist. If the artist does not have this equipment or materials CAC will make their best efforts to assist in procuring them.
​
Chester Art Centre will supply:
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Honorarium for each artist/performer : $250/performance, $400/day for workshops and demonstrations, $150/day for installations
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Colour promotional materials
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Inclusion in CAC publicity
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Feature on website and social media
How to Apply:
Proposal submissions for both the exhibition and festival should be emailed to bronwyn@chesterartcentre.ca. Please indicate in the subject line which event the submission is for. Accessibility is important to us. Please reach out to bronwyn@chesterartcentre.ca with questions, concerns or requests for disability accommodations.
Deadline to apply: April 30th
Artists will be notified by end of day on May 22nd as to whether or not their submission has been chosen.
Thank you for your interest in 30 under 30 (ish)! We look forward to reviewing your submission.
About the Curator
Bronwyn MacFair (she/her) is an illustrator and designer and has built her career helping artists, non-profits and small businesses reach their communities through strong visual storytelling. An artist from a young age, Bronwyn spent much of her childhood drawing, writing and singing, before studying theatre and photography at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, art and design at George Brown College, and later obtaining a diploma in Independent Illustration at Seneca@York in 2014.
Bronwyn is passionate about access to the arts, inclusivity, and creative reuse––finding ways to divert waste from landfills while breathing new life into existing and unwanted materials; exploring the boundaries of what it is to create art; and works that challenge us to imagine a more sustainable future. She would particularly love to see proposals from artists using alternative materials.
Bronwyn brings her own perspective as a neurodivergent and queer person and is looking forward to connecting with young artists from across Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. Her goal is to create a safe and welcoming space for young artists at all stages of their careers.