Call for Submissions: Quenten Doolittle Memorial Gallery (Calgary) - Call for Submissions

DATE : August 5, 2026

DEADLINE: September 14, 2026 - 11:59 pm

Submissions are now open for the Quenten Doolittle Memorial Gallery Exhibit: STRICTLY HUMAN

October 9 – December 19, 2026

The Pumphouse Theatre is a vibrant facility with historical significance. It supports and presents all art forms and creates opportunities for engagement, enrichment, cultural experience, learning and inspiration, while serving all Calgarians. To enable this, the Quenten Doolittle Memorial Gallery provides accessible wall display space for Calgary and Alberta visual artists to display and sell their work, free from commission.

STRICTLY HUMAN is an exhibit that highlights and celebrates the human experience. This experience can be defined 8 billion different ways but we want to know what you find interesting, amusing, confusing and, most of all, fascinating about being human! This gallery will not feature any artwork that was generated by AI.

Submissions must meet the following requirements:

•    Artist must reside in Calgary/Alberta and must be available for installation dates provided.
•    Artwork must be delivered ready to hang (wall-space only)

Installation Requirements: All art MUST be framed and be equipped with picture hanging wire and D rings (a piece of metal hardware shaped like the letter D used on the back of frame or canvas as hooking device). Hanging cleats or flat metal hardware unfortunately will not be accepted.  

If your piece is hung unconventionally or can be a little tricky, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us to see if we can accommodate.

This gallery is intended to be available for in-person and online viewing. There is the possibility of this exhibit being online exclusively. All installation required are still necessary for this exhibit.

The Pumphouse Theatre will install the work on behalf of the artists. Artwork may be dropped off or picked up by either the artist or a representative during the hours of 11 am and 6 pm on the installation and take down dates provided. Artist must reserve an installation and take down date via a provided form or by contacting the Programming Director.

Timeline: 
•    Submission Deadline: September 14, 2026, 11:59pm
o    All artists who submit will be notified with a decision no later than 2.5 weeks after the deadline has passed.
o    Late submissions will not be accepted
•    Installation: October 4 – 7, 2026
•    Exhibition: October 9 to December 19, 2026
•    Take Down: December 20 - 23, 2026

To apply, please send the following information via email or mail:
•    Completed Gallery Submission Form 
•    Artist Biography (250 words max)
o    A short description of who you are and your art background, training, passion, and/or any combination of the aforementioned information
•    Artwork: A minimum of 1 to a maximum of 5 pieces will be accepted
o    Images of artwork only; do not send original works with application
o    Please send images as JPG, JPEG or PNG files.

All of these elements are required for a complete application. If we are missing them from the application we will follow up and if we do not have all elements by the submission deadline, your work may not be accepted.  

All applications may be directed to:

Troy Couillard
Facilities and Programming Director
prod@pumphousetheatre.ca – 403-263-0079 ext.101
2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T3C 3P5

Selection Process: Art pieces are selected by a committee of no less than 3 people and are a mix of artists and administrators.  Selection criteria are based on suitability to the theme, technique, emotional response, creativity & innovation, and suitability to the Pumphouse Theatre gallery space and its patrons (ages 5 and up, representing various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds). Unfortunately, we are unable to accept works that feature nudity.

Any artists who need assistance with their application, or have inquires and questions, are welcome to contact PHTS at any point.