Annual Art Acquisition program and Salon exhibition

• Participants can apply using the online application form (a printable pdf form is also available by request)
   
• Apply by these dates:  

  • Artists living outside of Strathcona County (non-Residents) – April 14, 2022, 11:59 p.m.

  • Artists living in Strathcona County (residents) - April 29, 2022, 11:59 p.m   
      

• Artists will be requested to include one photo per artwork. Good quality photos taken with a cell phone are acceptable.     

• Artists can submit larger artwork:  

  • Up to two 2-dimensional artworks up to a total of 28 square feet    
    OR 

  • A series of two dimensional artworks up to a total of 28 Square feet  
    OR 

  • Up to three 3-dimensional artworks, fitting within a 2.5 square foot area  

• Artists residing within the municipal boundaries of Strathcona County  who are 18 years of age or older.   

• Artists living in Canada with a significant connection to Strathcona County who are 18 years of age or older.  

Strathcona County is committed to equity in the arts. With the intention of building a permanent art collection that is representative of our diverse community, the Strathcona County Public Art team and the Art Collection Advisory Committee is committed to addressing bias and improving diversity within our collection efforts. We especially encourage and welcome submissions from artists who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, gender non-binary, having disabilities, or representing one or more of the diverse communities with which the County engages. We recognize there may be barriers for some when applying. If you require accommodations please contact the Public Art team 

Note: Artists whose work was selected for County purchase in 2021 may participate in the Salon Exhibition but their artwork will not eligible for purchase until 2023.  

Artists who do not live in Strathcona County but have a significant connection to the area are welcome to apply. These participants will provide a brief description of their relationship to the area within their application.  

The Art Collection Advisory Committee will review and evaluate responses with equal consideration given to: 

• The overall impact of your contributions to Strathcona County: 

  • Have you ever worked or volunteered in Strathcona County? If so, for how many years? 

  • Have you made any artistic contributions to Strathcona County?  

  • Have you exhibited your artwork in Strathcona County? 

  • Does your artistic practice have a considerable focus on Strathcona County?  

• The significance Strathcona County holds for you personally: 

  • Have you ever lived in Strathcona County? If so, how many years?

  • Are you an active member of a community or faith-based organization in Strathcona County? 

  • Are you an Indigenous artist whose homelands overlaps with Strathcona County? 

  • Are you an Indigenous artist with ancestral, traditional, or ceremonial ties to the area? 

Applications from artists living outside of Strathcona County are due April 14, 2022, 11:59 p.m.  
These artists will be notified of the Committee’s decision by April 20, 2022. 

Artists are encouraged to contact the Public Art team prior to applying, especially if their connection to the County is not covered through the examples above.

Drop off your artwork to Gallery@501 during one of drop off times or arrange for shipping:    

Gallery@501  
501 Festival Ave #120  
Sherwood Park, AB   
T8A 4X3  

Artwork Drop-off Dates:  
Thursday, May 5 – 3:00 to 7:00 PM  
Friday, May 6 – 3:00 to 7:00 PM  
Saturday, May 7 – 12:00 to 4:00 PM  

Upon artwork drop off, a staff member will verify your application. Artists will sign an artwork loan agreement and receive a copy.  

Alternatively, participants may book an appointment to drop off artwork. Contact Susie Winters to book. 

NOTE: at this time, Strathcona County cannot cover shipping or delivery costs.

Pick up artwork from Gallery@501 during one of the pick-up times or arrange for return shipping. 

Artwork Pick-up Dates  
Saturday, June 25 – 12:00 to 4:00 PM  
Monday, June 27 – 3:00 to 7:00 PM  
Tuesday, June 28 – 3:00 to 7:00 PM  

Application deadline for artists living outside of Strathcona County – April 14, 2022, 11:59 p.m.

Registration deadline for artists living in Strathcona County – April 29, 2022, 11:59 p.m.
  

Artists’ Reception: Thursday, June 16, 2022  

Exhibition Opening & Closing: May 14 to June 24, 2022

Gallery representatives may apply on behalf of an artist. Sales inquiries may be directed to the artist’s representing gallery. For more information, contact Strathcona County Public Art.  

A different jury is selected each year. Names are suggested by the Art Collection Advisory Committee and by members of the Recreation, Parks & Culture Cultural Services Branch. We also contact organizations such as the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, who also have a juried art selection process for adding to their collection.

Contact Strathcona County Public Art for assistance and accommodations: 

Susie Winters, Assistant Curator  
artacquisition@strathcona.ca or  susie.winters@strathcona.ca  
(780) 242-3227  

Susan Pointe, Curator  
Susan.pointe@strathcona.ca  
(587) 335-4105  

Artists may submit 2 and 3-dimensional artwork in any medium. Any artwork that is original, initiated by the artist, and completed within the last 3 years may be eligible.

• Up to two two-dimensional works to a total of 28 square-feet (including frames)
   
  OR 

• One series of two-dimensional works up to 28 square-feet (including frames)
   
  OR 

• Up to three three-dimensional works covering an area up to five square-feet

A series of works refers to artwork that is visually connected through a subject matter, pattern, medium, technique, palette, and/or size. Artworks in a series must have matching frames, if framing is required. 

• For two-dimensional artwork, the total area of all artworks must not exceed 28 square feet. 

• Three-dimensional artworks must fit within a five-square-foot area. 

• Photograph: If possible, take a quality photograph of the artwork prior to framing. Cell phone photography is acceptable.   

• Labels: Label your artwork on the back or bottom with the title of the work, your name and phone number.  

• Framing: Two-dimensional artworks on paper or similar substrates must be framed or include alternative hanging hardware (rare-earth magnets, clips, etc.). Professional, museum-standard framing is not mandatory.  

• D-Rings: On conventional 2-dimensional artworks, such as framed artwork and canvases, D-rings are the preferred hardware. If you require assistance or further instruction for installing hanging hardware, contact Strathcona County Public Art. 

• Artwork that was submitted to the Salon Series Exhibition in prior years is not eligible.   

• Artwork copied from an instructor’s demonstration or example is not permitted.   

• Artwork that perpetuates harmful stereotypes, racism, or gendered violence will not be accepted. 
   

• Artwork that depicts profanity, pornographic images, or graphic violence will not be permitted.  

• Any artwork that cannot be spatially or technically accommodated by Gallery@501.

A Note on Cultural Appropriation
Cultural appropriation is the tendency for members of privileged races and classes to continually use and benefit from the imagery, symbols, and ideas from cultures outside of their own. It is rooted in colonialism and contributes to larger systems of exploitation. If your artwork references the imagery, stories, ideas, practices, etc. of a culture or group that you do not have ties to, it’s important be transparent about your relationship to these elements. Explain why you chose to use these elements in your artist statement or bio. If you are unsure if your artwork perpetuates cultural appropriation, contact the Strathcona County Public Art team.

In addition to submitting work to the Art Acquisition Program, artists may list their work as for sale during the Salon Series Exhibition. Pricing information for all artworks will be kept with reception at Gallery@501. With your consent, your contact information will be shared with interested buyers. 

Artwork submitted for donation to the collection is accepted at the discretion of the Jury. Although the County appreciates such offers, it is unable to accept all donations of artwork.

The Art Acquisition Selection Committee will consist of 3 professional practicing artists. New jurors are appointed each year. The professional backgrounds of the jurors may vary from year to year.   

The jury recommends artwork for Strathcona County’s Permanent Collection based on the following Criteria:   

• Authenticity and originality   

• Presentation  

• Aesthetic quality   

• Technical excellence and craftsmanship   

• Overall success and effect  

• Quality of materials and future conservation or maintenance requirements  

Recommendations for Strathcona County’s Permanent Art Collection will be made by the jury with the final recommendations being made by the Art Collection Advisory Committee and approved by Strathcona County Council. Artwork and artwork statements will be presented to the jurors anonymously.

The number of artworks purchased varies depending on the the selection jury's decision and the prices of artworks. With a typical budget of $10,000, the jury recommends approximately seven to ten artworks for purchase each year. 
 

If your artwork is selected for acquisition, your artwork will be inducted into Strathcona County’s Permanent Art Collection. Acquisitions will be displayed in Strathcona County’s Artrium for up to one year immediately following the Salon Series Exhibition, then distributed throughout county buildings and offices. Your artwork will also be profiled online in the County’s Permanent Art Collection online gallery.   

To finalize the purchase, you must sign an artwork purchase agreement and the artwork will remain with Strathcona County. You will be paid by cheque.  

Artwork recommended for purchase will be announced at the Artists’ Reception on June 15, 7:00 pm. Selected artists will be contacted prior to the event.

Members of the public vote on their favourite artwork in the exhibition. A “Peoples’ Choice Award” of $100.00 will be presented at the artists’ reception. In person and online voting will be open from May 16 to June 14, 2022.