The Vancouver Arts and Music Festival is thrilled to announce an open call for entries to the Juried Art Exhibit at the 2025 festival, taking place July 31-Aug. 3 in Esther Short Park. We invite artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to showcase their creativity and vision in this preview event celebrating art, music and culture.

The Juried Art Exhibit will be held across the street from the park, in the Hilton Vancouver. The exhibit will award five (5) monetary prizes, with opportunities for participating artists to take advantage of future benefits such as exhibits, mentorship and more.

We are looking for art that centers on the concepts of collaboration, inclusivity and community. We welcome the multitude of identities and cultures that make us whole. We embrace all definitions of  art and hope you consider participation in this groundbreaking approach to festival exhibition.

Application Fee: $30 fee includes up to 3 entries *
Commission: 40% *
Art Accepted: Any medium; art must not exceed 48 x 60 inches, including framing. 

Entry Deadline: June 7 
Jury Date: July 10
Art Acceptance Notification: July 12 
Artwork Delivery Date: Thursday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to noon
Show Opening: Friday, Aug. 1, 10 a.m.  
Show Closing: Sunday, Aug. 3, 4 p.m.  
Award Reception: Sunday, Aug. 3, 1 p.m. 
Unsold Art Pick-up Date & Time: Sunday, Aug. 3, 4-6 p.m. 


*Application fees and commission cover minor processing fees and contribute to the Festival’s 2026 Juried Art exhibit.

JURY PROCESS
The jury committee will consist of curators and art professionals from across the region. The committee  will initially review the entries to select works for the exhibit. During the festival, jurors will evaluate the displayed works based on how well they address the themes of collaboration, inclusivity and community. Additional judging criteria will be at the discretion of the jurors. 

AWARDS
There will be five monetary awards. Each award comes with a $300 cash prize and additional opportunities, such as community partnerships, exhibits or mentorships.
(3) Juror-Selected: $300 
(1) Mayor’s Choice: $300 
(1) People’s Choice: $300 

COMMUNICATION
All communication regarding entries will be managed through the CAFE (Call for Entry) online system. If you do not receive notices after entering your work, please take the following steps:

• Login to your CAFE account to check the status of your application.
• Check your spam or junk mail folder.
• Add the related email address to your contacts list to ensure you receive updates.

If you have any further questions or require assistance, please reach out to info@vancouverartsandmusicfestival.com. We look forward to seeing your creative vision and celebrating the vibrant diversity of our community!  

Application Requirements

Artists are asked to enter work fitting the themes of themes of collaboration, inclusivity and community. A $30 fee allows for up to 3 entries. 

You are allowed 3 images for upload. Use these to show 3 different works, OR if you are only entering 1 work, you may use them to show different angles of the same piece.

Please read the Eligibility Criteria and Rules and Terms to Apply before entering your work.

Eligibility Criteria

• Size: Preferred size for 2D work is 48 x 60 inches or smaller. Larger works may be considered if the artist provides their own display apparatus. 3D work of any size will be considered.
• Media: All media types are welcome, no reproductions.
• Sales: All works must be available for sale. Include the 40% commission fee in your listed price.
• Originality: All works must be original creations by the artist.