Calls to Artists

Black Histories, Black Futures

The City of St. Catharines, in partnership with Future Black Female and Black Owned 905, is inviting Black artists from across the Niagara region to participate in a special Black History Month exhibition titled Black Histories, Black Futures.

Black Histories, Black Futures invites artists to create works that reflect the depth of Black histories in St. Catharines and beyond. Stories shaped by community-building, migration, Emancipation Day gatherings, resistance movements, and the city’s historic ties to the Underground Railroad — while imagining how these histories inform the present and inspire what comes next.

The exhibition seeks creative works that explore lived experiences, cultural expressions, and generational knowledge that have shaped Black life in Niagara, alongside visions of contemporary or future worlds where Black identity and culture are imagined in transformative ways.

This year’s exhibition coincides with the 150th anniversary of St. Catharines’ incorporation and the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada.

The exhibition will be installed at City Hall (50 Church St.), the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (250 St. Paul St.), and the St. Catharines Public Library, Central Library Branch (54 Church St.).

Important Dates

• Entry Deadline: Monday, Jan. 12, 2026
• Selected Artists Notified by Email: Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
• Artwork Delivery: Monday, Jan. 26, 2026
• Opening Reception: Monday, Feb. 2, 2026
• Exhibition Timeline: Monday, Feb 2, 2026 to April 1, 2026

Eligibility

• Open to all Black artists, designers and collectives, at all stages in their careers, from across the Niagara Region.
• Artworks must be original.
• All selected artworks will be made available for display for the entire period of the exhibition.

How to Submit

Complete the application form and upload any additional information online.

Apply Now

Traffic Cabinet Wraps

The City of St. Catharines is seeking local artists of all backgrounds and experience levels to create original artwork for traffic cabinet wraps throughout the city.

This call is open to all artists residing or practicing in the Niagara Region, Six Nations of the Grand River, and/or Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Artists will be selected based on their written proposal, examples of past work, and ability to meet project requirements.

As part of the City’s upcoming 150th anniversary celebrations in 2026, twelve (12) artworks will be commissioned, two per ward, for installation in Spring 2026.

City Ward Boundaries:

• Ward 1 – Merritton: Jacobson Avenue, Highway 406, Geneva Street, Welland Avenue, the QEW, Eastchester Avenue East, the Welland Canal, and St. David’s Road.

• Ward 2 – St. Andrew’s: David’s Road, 15 Mile Creek, Fourth Avenue, Highway 406, and Jacobson Avenue.

• Ward 3 – St. George’s: Eastchester Avenue East, the QEW, Welland Avenue, Geneva Street, Scott Street, and the Welland Canal.

• Ward 4 – St. Patrick’s: Highway 406, Fourth Avenue, 15 Mile Creek, the QEW, Scott Street, and Geneva Street.

• Ward 5 – Grantham: Scott Street, Geneva Street, Lake Ontario, and Read Road.

• Ward 6 – Port Dalhousie: Scott Street, the QEW, 15 Mile Creek, Lake Ontario, and Geneva Street.

Artwork applied to traffic cabinets are considered temporary, with an anticipated lifespan of up to 10 years. Payment will be issued once final high-resolution digital files are received, and an artist agreement is signed authorizing reproduction.

Important Dates

• Entry Deadline: Friday Feb 20, 2026
• Final Designs: March 2026
• Installation: Spring 2026

Eligibility

• Open to emerging, mid-career, and established artists.
• Open to artists currently residing or practicing in the Niagara Region, Six Nations of the Grand River, and/or Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
• Preference may be given to artists with a connection to St. Catharines.
• Selected artists must be available for media interviews or photography during or after installation (included in artist fee).

How to Submit

Complete the application form and upload any additional information online.

Apply Now

Applications are now closed.

City of St. Catharines Poet Laureate (2026 – 1-Year Term)

In Recognition of the 150th year of St. Catharines' incorporation, the City of St. Catharines is seeking applications from local poets for a one-year appointment as Poet Laureate, coinciding with the 150th year of the City's incorporation.

The Poet Laureate will serve as an artistic ambassador for the City, using poetry to engage residents, celebrate civic pride, and enrich public life through readings, special initiatives, and cultural events connected to the history and culture of St. Catharines.

About the Position

The Poet Laureate is an honorary civic role that recognizes an accomplished St. Catharines-based poet who demonstrates:

• A strong body of creative work,
• Commitment to community engagement,
• Passion for the literary arts, and
• The ability to represent the City through spoken and written word.

The term will run from January 2026 to December 2026.

An honorarium of $2,500 will be provided to support the Poet Laureate’s activities, including the creation of commissioned works for the City’s 150th anniversary.

Poet Laureate Roles and Responsibilities

• Create and present original poems to mark key civic occasions, including events related to the 150th anniversary.
• Serve as an advocate for poetry and the literary arts across the community.
• Participate in City-led cultural events, readings, workshops, and engagement activities.
• Engage residents through outreach initiatives such as school visits, public readings, mentorship, or community writing projects.
• Develop and deliver one legacy project to be completed during the term. This may include a chapbook, performance series, digital poetry project, public art collaboration, or other creative initiative that reflects St. Catharines.
• Work collaboratively with Cultural Services staff on the above listed initiatives.
• Represent the City of St. Catharines in a professional, respectful manner.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be a current resident of St. Catharines and remain so for the duration of the term.
• Have an established connection to the literary arts, including demonstrated involvement in the poetry community.
• Demonstrate experience in public presentation, mentorship, or community engagement.
• Be prepared to fulfill the responsibilities associated with the Poet Laureate role.

Preference may be given to poets whose work engages with St. Catharines’ diverse histories, communities, and cultures, in alignment with the City’s Culture Plan and commitments to equity, inclusion, and Truth and Reconciliation.

How to Submit

The application is now closed.

The St. Catharines Culture Plan 2025-2030: Stay for the Culture presents a transformative vision for culture in St. Catharines, outlining a strategic roadmap to guide municipal support for arts and culture over the next five years.

As part of this roadmap, we are planning to provide additional opportunities for artists of all disciplines to engage the public in activities, lead workshops and host performances in a variety of public spaces throughout the city. These experiences will enrich lives, foster pride, and ensure a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable cultural sector within the city.

Eligibility

This application form is an open call to all artist(s), artist ad-hoc groups or arts and culture organizations seeking to lead a workshop or arts activity as part of programming initiatives undertaken by the City of St. Catharines.

How to Submit

Complete the application form and upload any additional information online.

Apply now

Each year, we feature a variety of live music programming at Market Square. These concerts help enhance our Farmers Market and add vibrant character to our downtown.

To apply, complete our Musician Application Form. We accept applications throughout the year and welcome submissions from artists with original songs and covers of recording artists.