Submissions
Our 2024 Call for Submissions is now open
Art Rental & Sales is a not-for-profit program operated by the Vancouver Art Gallery with a mandate of supporting emerging artists throughout British Columbia. Through the rental and sale of original artwork by a juried selection of artists, AR&S generates income for artists and provides funding for programs at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Once a year, Art Rental & Sales hosts an open call for artists based in British Columbia to consign artwork to our program. All submissions are reviewed by a selection committee, and applicants are notified as to the status of their submission within 2 months of our submission deadline.
This year's call is now open. Download and submit your completed application package via the link below. Submissions must be received no later than midnight on April 30, 2024.
The Vancouver Art Gallery and the Art Rental & Sales program commit to providing equitable access to everyone. We actively support accessibility, anti-racism, LGBTQ2S+ inclusion, and encourage diversity in our staff, volunteers, artists, visitors, and programming. We cultivate a safer space where all voices are heard, valued, and represented.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in the Art Rental & Sales program at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Do I need to be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident in order to apply?
No, you do not need to be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident to apply. However, you must be legally entitled to work in Canada, and be based in British Columbia in order to participate in the Art Rental & Sales program.What kind of hanging hardware needs to be installed on my artwork if it is accepted into the program?
We require that all artwork in the program be fitted with D-rings and wire to accommodate our Showroom’s hanging system.Who decides which artists will be a part of the Art Rental & Sales program?
Each submission is individually reviewed by an external selection committee chosen by the AR&S team. The committee changes each year, and is typically comprised of curators from non-commercial arts organizations within the province, local collectors, designers, and philanthropists in the arts community. Diversity and inclusion are important considerations when choosing our selection committee, as we value and encourage the perspective of diverse voices in our selection process.
Can I apply to the program if I already have gallery representation?
Yes, you can apply to the program even if you are already represented by a gallery. However please note that we require rental exclusivity from our artists as of 2016.I am a commercial gallerist; may I apply on behalf of my gallery?
No, at this time we prefer to work directly with artists.How old can the artwork that I apply to the program with be?
The artwork should reflect your current practice; preference will be given to work that is most recent.Can I apply more than once?
You can submit only one application per year, however you may re-apply each year if not selected previously.How can I check up on the status of my application?
We will contact you within 8 weeks of closing to confirm whether you have been accepted into Art Rental & Sales or not. Due to the volume of applicants, we respectfully ask that you refrain from emailing or calling the Showroom regarding the status of submissions.Will you give me feedback if my application is not successful?
Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable to give individual feedback.