• Artists may submit up to 2 artworks for consideration.
  
• Artworks can be made collaboratively! (Can be done as a unit, or as a group of friends.) If an artwork is a collaboration, please select one (1) artist to represent the group and submit an application form.
  
• As most artists will be under the age of 18, a parent/guardian must complete the application form with them and act as the main point of contact for Museum of Dufferin staff.
  
• All communication to artists from Museum of Dufferin staff will be done through the artist’s parent/guardian.
• Artists may only submit original works they have the rights to. 
• Artists and their parent/guardian must complete the entry form and submit photographs of their artwork(s) to the Dropbox link provided.  
• A short description/reflection is required. Please tell us about the artwork, why you created it, and how it relates to the theme. The description/reflection and photo of your artwork are important – they are presented to the jurying panel for deliberation.
  
• Any artists under the age of 18 who are selected for the exhibition must have a parent/guardian sign a participation waiver.
• All photographs of artwork(s) must be submitted in digital .jpg format. 
  • The photograph of the artwork must be in focus
  • File size no larger than 10 MB
  • All image files must be saved in the following format:
    • Artist Name_Title.jpg
      • Example: Anne Lee_Girl Guide Camp.jpg

Examples of accepted mediums:

• 2-D artworks on canvas (paintings, drawings, collages, etc.)
  • All 2-D artwork on canvas must be securely wired for display prior to drop-off.

• Drawings/sketches/collages on paper that are no larger than 12” x 16”.
  • These artworks will be framed for display by the Museum of Dufferin for the duration of the exhibit. After the exhibit, the artwork will be unframed and returned to the artist.
  • There will be a slight 1/4″ overlap on all sides from the mat.
  • The frame is black with a white/cream mat. All frames and mats are provided by the Museum of Dufferin.

• Photographs or Digital Art cannot be accepted, unless printed by the artist.
  • These prints can be no larger than 12″ x 16”. There will be a slight 1/4″ overlap on all sides from the mat.
  • They will be framed for display by the Museum of Dufferin for the duration of the exhibit. After the exhibit, the print will be unframed and returned to the artist.
  • The frame is black with a white/cream mat. All frames and mats are provided by the Museum of Dufferin.

JURYING PROCESS

Applications and image of artwork will be presented to staff and jurors; all applications go through a three-step jurying process:    

Step 1: Museum of Dufferin Curatorial staff first review applications for completeness, connection/relevance to the theme, and overall quality of work to ensure they align with exhibition standards and museum policies before being presented to the external jury. Some applications may not advance beyond this stage.    

Step 2: The artwork will be juried by an external panel of volunteer jurors who are involved in the Girl Guide community, and one Museum of Dufferin staff member. Jurors make their top selections independently in writing and then submit their results to Museum of Dufferin Curatorial staff for tallying.

Step 3: The jury meets in a committee setting, facilitated by Museum of Dufferin Curatorial staff, to discuss and evaluate submissions with a focus on the following:   

• Museum of Dufferin Staff provide the tallied results to the jurors   

• Jurors may ask questions for additional context or clarification   

• Consensus on the final artist selection is reached by the end of the meeting   

The Museum Services Manager provides final approval of the juror’s decisions.    

The Jurors consider the following when choosing pieces for the exhibition: quality of work, composition & design, personal reflection, variety, and space limitations.  

Works will be evaluated with consideration given to the age of each artist, and emphasis will be placed on creativity, effort, and expression.

Quality of Work  

• • Care and attention in the finished artwork

• • Materials are used thoughtfully

• • The work reflects the artist’s effort and personal engagement with the piece

 Composition & Design   

• • Visual elements are placed with intention  

• • Composition helps guide the viewer’s eye through the artwork

• • Shows creativity and originality in the interpretation of the theme

• • Overall design communicates a clear idea, feeling, or story  

 Personal Reflection  

• • As a museum that focuses on sharing stories, your personal reflection is an important part of your submission. Do not leave this section blank in your submission form – tell us the story behind your artwork and how it connects to the theme.  

Variety  

• • If many submissions of a similar subject are received, they cannot all be accepted. We aim to offer a wide variety of styles, techniques, and subjects in this exhibition.     

 Space Limitations  

• • Applications may be declined because of space restrictions. Up to 15 artworks can be displayed in the Silo Gallery.

Due to the high volume of applications, the Museum of Dufferin and jurying panel are not able to provide individual feedback after the jurying process. Our jurors dedicate their limited time to thoughtfully reviewing each submission, ensuring their expertise is focused on evaluation rather than written commentary. Acceptance/decline notification will be communicated via email.   

INSTALLATION 

The exhibition will be installed by the Museum of Dufferin Curatorial Staff. Display and layout are determined by the staff.  

Labels will be created for each piece in-house, which will include the artist’s name, their town, title of the piece, and one paragraph from the “personal reflection” section of the submission form.

If your work is selected for the exhibition, the information used for the exhibition labels and marketing materials with be sourced DIRECTLY from your submission form. Please ensure that titles, names, spelling, etc. are accurate before submitting.

• Parents/Guardians: If you do not wish for your child’s full name to be included in their label, please fill out the application form with this in mind. (i.e. submit only “Anne L.” or “Anne” as their name on the form.)

OUR VALUES 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are priorities for the Museum of Dufferin. We believe it’s important to integrate these principles into the services we deliver. We continue to take steps to ensure marginalized and underrepresented groups are represented at the museum.   

“Equity is a principle and process that promotes fair conditions for all persons to fully participate in society. It recognizes that while all people have the right to be treated equally, not all experience equal access to resources, opportunities or benefits. Achieving equality does not necessarily mean treating individuals or groups in the same way, but may require the use of specific measures to ensure fairness.” – Canada Council for the Arts 

The MoD is an inclusive and safe space for all. The MoD will not allow the display of artworks that are deemed offensive or harmful.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

If my child’s artwork is selected for the exhibition, I hereby give permission to the Museum of Dufferin (MoD) to take and use photographs and video recordings of the material and/or of this exhibition for marketing and promotional purposes. Examples of use are, but are not limited to, submissions to print publications (with written consent from the artist’s parent/guardian), posting on the MoD website and posting to MoD social media sites. I hereby release the County of Dufferin, MoD and its employees, and/or volunteers from all claims resulting from the use, editing and release of any of the above-mentioned material with respect to this.   

Artists, parents/guardians, and their representatives agree to act in a professional and respectful manner with fellow participants, staff, volunteers, and visitors. Failure to abide by any of the rules or regulations or to act in a professional manner may result in expulsion from the exhibition.

Applicants who have not submitted all required pieces of the application by the time of jurying will be disqualified from consideration. 

The Museum of Dufferin reserves the right to retract offers to artists to participate in the exhibition at any time, without cause. 

All rights to the artwork remain with the artist.

Accepted artwork must be the actual artwork as seen in the submitted images. No substitutions. The Museum of Dufferin reserves the right to not display any artwork that differs from the images in the accepted submission.

The Silo Gallery features several windows which allow natural light into the space. At this time, the windows have not been treated to reduce UV damage. The risk of certain fragile artworks fading is a possibility (i.e. watercolours, photographs, pen and ink sketches). The artist understands and accepts this risk and the Museum of Dufferin is not responsible for any damaged/faded artwork.

The Museum of Dufferin is not liable/responsible for lost, stolen or damaged artwork. The Artist does hereby agree that they will not hold the Museum of Dufferin, its staff, or its volunteers responsible for accidental loss or damage of any kind.

Artwork must be delivered to the Museum of Dufferin during the drop-off window and picked up during the pick-up window (see “Important Dates” section.)  Museum staff do not provide pick-ups or drop-offs of artwork. If artwork is not delivered by the end of the drop-off period, it will not be included in the exhibition. If artwork is not picked up by the end of the pick-up period, it will be disposed.

Parents/Guardians: please note that your child’s name and town will be included on a label, alongside their personal reflection, which will be on display at the Museum.

Artists certify that their artwork has not been created by, or with the assistance of, artificial intelligence (AI). Where applicable, Curatorial staff reserve the right to ask for proof of process. Curatorial staff may also use AI detection tools.

The Museum of Dufferin will always credit the artist and their copyright wherever feasible. We will use their artwork for no other purpose without specific permission.

The Museum of Dufferin will not share any of your personal information.

I have read the details and information provided on this webpage. I understand and agree to the Juried Exhibition terms and conditions.

QUESTIONS?

Caitlin Hudson-Dubsky, Curatorial Assistant: chudsondubsky@dufferinmuseum.com

Available Wednesday to Friday