Community Arts Council of Vancouver

Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival 2020

Call for Outsider Artists!

Applications Extended to April 30

UPDATE RE COVID-19

At this time the 2020 festival is on hold while we await news on the availability of our venue, and consider how best to serve outsider artists and the public at this time. We will continue to accept applications and will communicate with artists as plans evolve in response to this crisis. Please practice social distancing, stay at home if you can, and take good care.

Are you an Outsider Artist 19 years and older residing in Vancouver?
Want to learn more about being a working artist, and connect with other artists and audiences?
Ready to show/sell/perform your work? 

Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
August 7 – 9, 2020

VOAF is dedicated to supporting self-identified outsider artists who face social exclusion and other visible/invisible barriers to sharing their work.

Organizations working with socially excluded artists please contact us about group exhibition opportunities.

Applications for Visual and Performing Outsider Artists Open Now

Need Help Applying? Got questions?

Please email us at voaf@cacv.ca if you need assistance applying or have questions. Thanks!

VOAF Application Assist Video

Visual Artists: How to Apply

In 500 words or less, please tell us the following:

  1. Provide Your Name, Email, and phone numbers
  2. Describe how do you identify as an Outsider Artist
  3. Tell us about your practice: how did you get started, why do you make art, what medium(s) do you work in? Are you self- taught?
  4. Tell us about your ongoing commitment to making art.
  5. Tell us about your exhibition history, if any. Previous exhibitions are not a requirement.

Artwork image submission details:

  1. 2-D and 3-D work is accepted. Maximum width/diameter of artwork is 48″
  2. Video/digital media work no more than 5 minutes in duration can be submitted for consideration.
  3. Attach photos of four (4) artworks as .jpg files attached to your email. If mailing an application, please provide printed copies of the photos. We cannot return original photo prints.
  4. Images should be samples of the type of work you create. They do not have to be the exact works you will exhibit if you get to exhibit in the 2019 VOAF.
  5. Attach a separate document listing each of the 4 images you are submitting for consideration in your application as the following:

See examples in ( )
– Last Name (e.g. Smith)
– Title (e.g. Summer Breeze)
– Year (e.g. 2018)
– Medium (e.g. Mixed Media)
– Dimensions: Width in Inches X Height in Inches (e.g. 24” x 30”)

Performing Artists: How to Apply

In 500 words or less, please tell us the following:

  1. Name, email, and phone numbers.
  2. How do you identify as an Outsider Artist? What kind of work do you make, and why? What is your history of performing? What barriers do you face to sharing your work?
  3. Describe your performance including duration (10-20 minutes recommended)
  4. Give us some sense of number of performers, needed technical support, space needed (indoor, outdoor, raised stage, roving, interactive…?)
  5. Please attach links to videos or be prepared to audition.

Submission e-mail and mailing address can be found at the bottom of the page.

How Will We Choose?

Our primary value is inclusion of self-identified Outsider Artists who have committed artistic practices and a body of work that is ready for a VOAF exhibition. A small jury of outsider artists and our festival organizing volunteers will determine eligibility. As there are generally more applications than spaces available, a lottery determines which of the eligible artists will receive a space this year.

Please note that artists can apply in either the Performer or Visual Artist categories, but not both. This supports broader participation. Thank you!

Contact Information for Applications:

Apply by email: voaf@cacv.ca
Apply by mail:
CACV
440-111 W Hastings Street
Vancouver BC V6B 1H4

Email applications accepted until midnight on April 30, 2020; Mail-in applications must be postmarked on April 30th latest.

To download the VOAF Artist Call Poster

Find out more about Community Arts Council of Vancouver at http://www.cacv.ca/for-artists/