Calls to Artists

The City of St. Catharines often engages with artists to put their talents on display for a variety of temporary exhibits, public art commissions, special events and music programming. We issue calls to artists and requests for expressions of interest when opportunities are available.

Subscribe to this page and sign up for our Culture Ink newsletter to learn when you can work with us.

New and ongoing opportunities

Stay up to date on the latest opportunities for artists with the City of St. Catharines.

As part of the City’s revised SCCIP Policy (adopted in fall 2025), SCCIP review committees shall be comprised of individuals that reflect, as best as possible, a diversity of knowledge, experience and perspective in the areas of arts and culture and, ideally, both professional and community practice. Review committees will include at least five individuals, including two members of the City’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

The City is therefore seeking applications from interested members of the arts community to sit on SCCIP review committees this spring. Individuals will review applications to either the Sustaining – Festival program, the Arts Development and Culture Builds Community programs, or the PAC Facility Access Program. More information about these programs, and SCCIP in general, can be found on the SCCIP page of the City’s website.

Eligibility

Any interested applicant must:

  • Be an engaged member of the arts community in Ontario, either as an artist, arts worker, arts administrator, arts educator, or board member/volunteer of an arts organization; and,
  • Be available between September 24 and October 30 to:
    • review and score grant applications; and,
    • meet to discuss and allocate funding.

Important dates

  • Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
  • Notification: Monday, September 14, 2026

About the review committees

Members of the review committees will:

  • Thoroughly review all applications within the time allocated (generally 2 to 3 weeks);
  • Score all applications using evaluation tools provided by City staff;
  • Share scores with the Culture Office no later than 24 hours before the agreed-upon meeting time;
  • Be available to participate in one 4-hour online meeting (in-person meeting option available if preferred) to discuss applications and allocate funding. Meeting date/time TBD based on review committee members’ schedules; and,
  • Abide by the Conflict of Interest section of the SCCIP Policy (p.11).

An honorarium of $350 will be provided to each review committee member.

How to apply

Interested individuals are invited to apply by emailing the City of St. Catharines Culture Division with the following information:

  • Your resume / C.V.
  • A short paragraph (250 words max.) detailing why you would like to participate as a SCCIP review committee member.

Please also indicate if you would like to be considered for future review committee work.

The St. Catharines Culture Plan 2025-2030: Stay for the Culture presents a transformative vision for culture in St. Catharines, outlining a strategic roadmap to guide municipal support for arts and culture over the next five years.

As part of this roadmap, we are planning to provide additional opportunities for artists of all disciplines to engage the public in activities, lead workshops and host performances in a variety of public spaces throughout the city. These experiences will enrich lives, foster pride, and ensure a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable cultural sector within the city.

Eligibility

This application form is an open call to all artist(s), artist ad-hoc groups or arts and culture organizations seeking to lead a workshop or arts activity as part of programming initiatives undertaken by the City of St. Catharines.

How to submit

Complete the application form and upload any additional information online.

Apply now

Each year, we feature a variety of live music programming at Market Square. These concerts help enhance our Farmers Market and add vibrant character to our downtown.

To apply, complete our Musician Application Form. We accept applications throughout the year and welcome submissions from artists with original songs and covers of recording artists.

Contact Us

50 Church St.
PO Box 3012
St. Catharines ON L2R 7C2

Email: CitizensFirst@stcatharines.ca
Tel: 905.688.5600
TTY: Type 711 for the operator

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