Artist Opportunities

Leighton Art Centre is situated on 80 acres in the Alberta foothills south of Calgary. We operate a museum and galleries in the historic home of Barbara and A.C. Leighton – two influential artists in Alberta from the early 1900s to the 1980s.

The privilege of Leighton Art Centre’s presence on 80 acres of foothills landscape within Treaty 7 territory is combined with respect, humility, and responsibility to be caretakers of the land. We acknowledge the people of these ancestral and traditional lands, which include the Niitsitapi – Blackfoot Confederacy – comprised of the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani; the îyârhe Nakoda – Stoney Nakoda – including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations; as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and Otipemisiwak Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We also recognize that many more First Nations, Métis, and Inuit have marked these lands with their footsteps. We are grateful for all people who make their home in, or visit, the Treaty 7 territory of Southern Alberta, and who act as respectful stewards to this land, where we learn, create, and build relationships in meaningful ways.

OPEN OPPORTUNITIES

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: EXHIBITION PROPOSALS

ANNUAL DEADLINE: JULY 5TH

Leighton Art Centre (LAC) is at the confluence of art, history, and nature and we welcome proposals that consider our relationship to the environment. We invite submissions from artists, craftspeople, collectives, and curators of all backgrounds working in all genres, styles, and mediums. We endeavor to provide a platform for artists at all levels of their artistic careers, while presenting diverse programming and a stimulating exhibition schedule that challenges – and appeals to – a wide audience.

THE CRITERIA FOR APPLYING ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• Be an artist (or artist group) based in Alberta
• Have a body of work that is ready and available to exhibit
• Be willing to work with our educational department to develop programming relating to your exhibition
• We aim for diversity in our programming and encourage submissions from BIPOC artists
• We are especially interested in proposals that consider the relationship between art and nature, or that show a tie to Leighton Art Centre

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please fill out the appropriate form (solo or group exhibition) by July 5th.

SOLO EXHIBITION SUBMISSION FORM

GROUP EXHIBITION SUBMISSION FORM

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask Lindsay (contact details listed below).

SELECTION PROCESS:

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. The selection committee is composed of representatives from Leighton Art Centre. You will be informed about the results of the selection within four weeks of July 5th.

PLEASE NOTE
Leighton Art Centre offers CARFAC project fees and takes a commission of 40% on all sales. All exhibitions are organized by the LAC in coordination with the artist. Exhibitions generally run between four and eight consecutive weeks.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: JULY 5th (ANNUALLY)

For more details or assistance please contact our Manager of Exhibitions, Events & Volunteers Lindsay Corbet: lindsayc@leightoncentre.org or 403.931.3153.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: OUTDOOR AND SITE-SPECIFIC PROJECTS

ONGOING INTAKE

The natural environment of the Leighton Art Centre is home to site-specific installations and has hosted numerous temporary, ephemeral, or performative art pieces. We accept expressions of interest on an ongoing basis, from artists across Canada and abroad. Expressions of interest are assessed on a case-by-case basis and generally involve two to three years of planning and fundraising. Contact Executive Director Christina Cuthbertson (christinac@leightoncentre.org) with a short email introducing yourself and your proposed project. Please describe why your work is a good fit at Leighton Art Centre.

MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES

Leighton Art Centre Members enjoy exclusive discounts and are encouraged to submit their artwork for an opportunity to show and sell in our Gallery Shop, be part of our annual Juried Members Exhibition and Christmas in the Country Art Sale, and be considered for participation in our Clothesline Art Sale.

PLEASE NOTE
Leighton Art Centre takes a commission of 40% on all sales. All exhibitions and opportunities are organized by the LAC in coordination with the artists.

For more information on becoming a member, please visit our Become a Member page. For further assistance, please contact Gallery Shop & Guest Services Manager Alison Marshall: gallery@leightoncentre.org or 403.931.3633.

MONTHLY MEMBERS COLLECTION

ONGOING INTAKE

Each month, our Gallery Shop (in store and online) features up to five artists, each with an approximately 3′ x 6′ space to display a small collection of their works. We’ll work with you to select the pieces to submit to fill the space available (e.g. one large work, multiple smaller works, or a combination)

Important: Please read up on our Gallery Shop Guidelines & Requirements.

Here’s how it works:
Please make an appointment with Alison Marshall, Gallery Shop Manager, to discuss the process and the suitability of your works for our shop. Phone: 403-931-3633 or email: gallery@leightoncentre.org.

Selected artists commit to submitting images and details for each piece through a digital form, then bring their pieces in to the Gallery Shop approximately one week before their display will be installed by LAC staff. Art will be on display in the shop for four weeks. After four weeks, any unsold pieces come down and are put into the holding area. We’ll hold art no longer than two weeks for pickup.

*All artworks are subject to approval by Leighton Art Centre

ANNUAL JURIED MEMBERS EXHIBITION

ANNUAL DEADLINE: JANUARY 15TH
EXHIBITION DATES: APRIL 1 – JUNE 4, 2023

This popular annual exhibition showcases the very best of the Leighton Art Centre’s artist members’ work, in all styles and mediums.

Submission Guidelines – Juried Members Exhibition

• Submitting artist must be a Leighton Art Centre member, in good standing. If the artist has a piece(s) accepted, they must maintain their membership through the exhibition (until at least June 4, 2023).
• Maximum 3 pieces per artist.
• Artworks in all mediums are accepted, including but not limited to painting, textiles, drawing, sculpture, photography, video, installation, performance.
• Collaborative artworks are accepted. Please designate a primary contact on the form.
• There is no size limit for submitted pieces, but please realize that the exhibition will be curated with available gallery space in mind.
• Accepted pieces must arrive at Leighton Art Centre ready to display.
• Please check all your artwork information carefully before submitting. We are dealing with large quantities of data and will have very limited capacity to fix any errors. No art substitutions, or title or price changes will be accepted after the submission deadline.
• Artist’s commission on any sale is 60%.
• Artworks must be available from April 1 to June 4, 2023.

We are now accepting submissions for the the 21st Annual Juried Members Exhibition. Deadline for entries is January 15, 2023. Click the button to go to the online submission form!

Submission Form: Juried Members Exhibition

CLOTHESLINE ART MARKET

INVITATIONAL – NOTIFICATION BY FEBRUARY 15TH ANNUALLY
SALE DATES: JUNE 4 – 5, 2022

This popular art sale is our signature summer sale and one of the longest-running programs at the Leighton Art Centre. Members are invited to participate in this outdoor event.

CLOTHESLINE ONLINE ART SALE

INVITATIONAL – NOTIFICATION BY FEBRUARY 15TH ANNUALLY
SALE DATES: JUNE 1 – 30, 2022

Implemented during 2020 as a response to COVID-19 closures, this online art sale has proven to be very popular and will continue annually! Members are invited to participate in this event.

PAINT THE FOOTHILLS: PLEIN AIR PAINTING COMPETITION

MID SEPTEMBER DURING ALBERTA CULTURE DAYS

This annual competition is open to Leighton Art Centre’s members and typically runs during the second weekend in September. Registered artists are invited to paint the beautiful vistas at Leighton Art Centre and submit their work for competition. Guest judges award cash prizes for First, Second, and Third prize, and visitors vote for the People’s Choice Award! Please watch our social media feeds and e-newsletters for more information.

FESTIVE FOOTHILLS ART SALE

ANNUAL START OF REGISTRATION: OCTOBER 1ST
ANNUAL SALE: NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

This annual seasonal art sale, which takes place both in person and online, is open to Leighton Art Centre artist members on a first come, first served basis. We have limited space available and registration fills up very quickly, so please put the October 1st registration date on your calendar!