Rotunda Gallery call for proposals

Many people pass through City Hall every day, making our Rotunda Gallery the perfect space to showcase your work and talent with the community.

On this page:

1. About the gallery
2. Current call for proposals
3. Who should apply?
4. How to apply
5. Selection process
6. Compensation

About the gallery

The Rotunda Gallery is located on the ground floor of City Hall. This gallery features self-curated exhibits of original work from visual artists.

Since 1995, the Rotunda Gallery has promoted exhibits of a professional standard reflecting contemporary practice in the visual arts to build and promote the development of visual arts in our area. The program welcomes diverse viewpoints and media (painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, mixed media) supporting the principles of intellectual freedom while respecting the public nature of the location.

The gallery is a unique exhibition space, with a curved, wooden hanging wall that includes a 48-foot picture rail. The wall has 48 inches of vertical hanging space above a wall-length bench where visitors can rest. The space is ideal for displaying two-dimensional artwork, hung using the existing suspended rod picture rail. Each piece of artwork must work with this hanging system. We encourage artists to visit the gallery to familiarize themselves with the space and the hanging hardware or send us an email for more information.

The Rotunda Gallery is a member of the Ontario Association of Art Galleries.

Current call for proposals

We are not accepting proposals at this time.

Who should apply?

We will consider applications from Ontario artists. Applicants from the Region of Waterloo or with a connection to the region will be given preference so we can continue to build and promote the development of visual arts in our area.

We will not award Rotunda Gallery space to the same artists in two consecutive years. Our goal is to maximize the number of applicants who can showcase their work.

Types of art

The space accommodates two-dimensional work only (we cannot accommodate sculptures unless they can be wall-mounted using the existing hanging system).

Equity and accessibility

We’re committed to an equity-driven, inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free selection process, and to ensuring that the exhibition program reflects the full diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ persons, as well as other equity-deserving individuals.

We’re committed to creating and supporting an equity-based platform to be inclusive of diverse creative perspectives. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with intersectional identities from groups seeking equity, diversity, and inclusion. This includes artists from many diverse backgrounds and origins, but specifically encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, and racialized individuals, 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and people with disabilities.

Are you just starting to exhibit? Not sure if you are ready for a juried application process? If you’re looking for mentorship opportunities on how to get started with an exhibition process with help from city staff, send us an email or consider showing your artwork at the Berlin Tower ARTSPACE.

How to apply

To submit your proposal, use our online submission form. Please review the form before starting your application to familiarize yourself with the requirements. You can save the application and come back to it later.

Apply online

If you have any questions or need accommodations, please call 519-783-8302.

Your application must include:

• A brief summary of your artistic background, pursuits, interests, achievements and outline of your exhibition history (max 250 words)
  • this can be in the form of a CV, artist statement, biography or a combination of those elements
  • you can upload up to three supporting documents
  • jurors are looking for clarity and cohesiveness 
• between 8 to 10 high resolution images of past or current work (JPG format)
  • please include a corresponding image list with title, media, size and year of creation for each work pictured
  • you can also include a caption for each image
• a brief description of your proposed exhibition (max 250 words)
  • consider describing the theme(s) in your work, the medium, how many works you propose to exhibit, etc.

You can download the application form prior to submitting to help you prepare your submission.

Selection process

After applications close, the selection committee will choose up to six artists.

Evaluation criteria

• the space accommodates two-dimensional work only (no accommodation for sculpture unless it can be wall mounted using the existing hanging system)
• applicants from Waterloo Region will be given preference with the aim to build and promote the development of visual arts in our area
• work must be original
• printmaking and photography editions are welcome, but photocopy prints are not permitted
• images included in the application package must accurately represent the actual or proposed works to be exhibited

The committee will choose artists based on:

• excellence and innovation: jurors are looking for submissions that show dedication to the development of excellence and innovation in the artist’s work
• artistic merit: would the work have an impact on the artistic and/or cultural development of the community? Does it have the potential to draw new audiences? Does the work engage the viewer with questions and wonder?
• relevance to the artistic and cultural diversity of the community
• existing exhibition history: this can be local, national or international, demonstrating your ability to prepare a series of works for an exhibition

Committee

The proposals are juried by the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC), a volunteer, resident-based group that includes a range of artists and arts sector professionals. No City of Kitchener staff are involved in the selection process.

Compensation

We will provide CARFAC (Canadian Artist Representation/Le Front Des Artistes Canadiens) exhibition fees (according to Section A.1.6) to each selected artist. Visit CARFAC’s website to see the current fee listing based on the year of the exhibition.

Upon acceptance, the selected artists will enter into a contract with the City of Kitchener.