Special Projects | Hamilton Artists Inc.

Deadline: Ongoing

Special Projects are activities that do not take the form of regular exhibitions. These can be one-off performances, zines, posters, screenings, workshops, community events, digital platforms, outdoor projects in our courtyard, site-specific interventions, off-site projects, or other unique initiatives. Special projects provide an excellent opportunity for individuals to engage with social, political and cultural issues in new and unconventional ways.

Special Projects are meant to be responsive and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by members of The Inc.’s New Committee and Programming Committee. Incoming applications will be assessed for Fall 2023 at the earliest. Budgets for these projects range from $500-$1500, including artist fees and material costs. Applicants are encouraged to consider the technical/logistical requirements of their project, including cost, preferred location, target audience, safety and durability (if applicable).

We welcome submissions by artists from all backgrounds including, but not limited to, Indigenous, Black, and racialized artists; refugee, newcomer and immigrant artists; two-spirit and LGBTQ+ artists; gender non-binary artists, artists living with disabilities, and artists on low-incomes or living in poverty.

Application Requirements:

One single PDF or Word Document that includes the following:
Applicant contact information (including full name, address, city, email, phone number)
Brief description of your proposed project (350 words max.) — Describe what you are planning on doing. What will this work look like? Where will it take place? If your project is participatory, how will people engage with it? What resources do you need to successfully realize this project?
Artist biography (150 words max.)
Artist’s CV (Optional. 3 pages max.)
Up to 10 images contextualizing the work (may submit doodles, sketches or renderings); and/or up to 5 minutes of audio or video (please send Youtube, Vimeo, or SoundCloud links included in your single PDF or Word document)

(Note: For curatorial or group proposals, please include biographies for yourself and each participating artist.)

There is no application form for the Special Projects stream. Submission materials (excluding images) should be merged into a single PDF or Word document. Proposals should be submitted into the form below.

Alternative Ways to Apply:

Hamilton Artists Inc. is committed to equity and inclusion in all aspects of its operations, and will accept alternative submission formats.

Audio submission: 15 minutes max. and no larger than 200 MB, or sent as a soundcloud link.
Video submission: 15 minutes max. and no larger than 200 MB, or sent as a youtube/vimeo link.
Hard-copy paper submission: Do not include original artworks. Artwork examples may be submitted as photocopies, or on a USB or CD.

Please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure you can access and complete the submissions process. For questions about the Special Projects stream, please contact the New Committee at newcommittee@theinc.ca or call 905.529.3355.

To apply to the Special Projects Call for Proposals, please complete the form below:

The New Committee is an action committee of Hamilton Artists Inc., committed to dismantling structural barriers that prevent participation in our programs and creating true inclusion for all artists and community members in our region. We question current institutional structures and hierarchies and work to envision and propose alternative possibilities. Through initiating special projects, conducting community outreach and advising on internal policies, the committee fosters an inclusive space at all levels of the organization including governance, programming and community engagement.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Hamilton Artists Inc. has numerous submission opportunities. CLICK HERE to read our general submission calls to determine whether this call is best suited to the nature of your project.