Applications for the 2026 season are now being accepted. Deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

Interested exhibitors are invited to submit their work for review. Successful applicants receive a month-long exhibition at the RHCPA Visual Art Gallery. The exhibition space consists of two locations in the RHCPA:

• Main Lobby Gallery – Suitable for larger pieces of artwork and most disciplines of visual art are acceptable 
• Lower East Side Gallery – Suitable for photography and visual artwork that will not be damaged by natural light

Dimensions of wall space will be provided upon request.

Exhibitors have the opportunity to host an opening reception, should they wish. The coordination of the reception is the responsibility of the exhibitor(s), including scheduling with the City of Richmond Hill’s Theatre staff. All costs associated with the reception are the responsibility of the exhibitor(s). Receptions are NOT confirmed until a signed contract with RHCPA and associated fees have been received.

Please closely review the outlined criteria when submitting your visual art gallery application:

• All artwork must be in ‘ready-to-hang’ condition.
  • Exhibitors must ensure the work is securely wired for hanging, using the gallery’s track system. Instructions for appropriate hanging methods can be provided.  
Acceptable artworks include, but are not limited to 2-D paintings, drawings, prints, photography, watercolour and mixed media. Installation and sculptural pieces may be considered providing they do not extend more that 14cm (5 inches) from the wall when hung.
• Watercolour pieces are acceptable. Please note there is direct sunlight in the Lower East Side Gallery that may cause damage. 
• Exhibitors of all levels of ability (student, emerging, mid-career and established) are invited to apply individually or as a collective
• Priority is given to artists who reside in Richmond Hill, however, all applications will be reviewed
• Applications must be complete; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Artists must ensure that they have an adequate amount of artwork to cover the RHCPA Main Lobby Gallery and Lower East Side Gallery wall space. Wall dimensions can be provided
• Exhibitors are to consider the audience of the gallery. As the RHCPA is open to the diverse community of Richmond Hill, the City reserves the right to exclude work that may be deemed offensive or inappropriate
• The marketing and promotion of the exhibition is the responsibility of the applicant. The City of Richmond Hill will update the Visual Art Gallery webpage with a description and image of the exhibition, provided by the artist a minimum of two weeks advance notice. 

Application

Applicants must submit: 

• A complete application form
• An artist’s statement and/or biography (maximum 500 words)
• An up-to-date CV that includes artistic experience, not limited to: education, exhibitions, publications, achievements that are deemed important to your art practice, etc.
• An exhibition proposal that lists the works to be presented in consideration of the space available. Include the name of artist(s), title of work, date made, medium, and size
• 10 – 15 images of artwork that demonstrates the body of work to be included in the proposed exhibition (.jpg format, maximum 1MB, maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels). Ensure photos are of good quality and accurately represent the artwork
• Preferred month of exhibition (e.g. 2026 - January, February, March, etc.)

Please indicate if you are a resident of Richmond Hill and/or the works feature a connection to Richmond Hill.

Please Note: As part of the City of Richmond Hill’s ongoing commitment to its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and Action Plan, we aim to prioritize showcasing artwork by artists from equity-deserving communities during the following commemorative months: 

• February – Black History Month
• March – International Women’s Day
• June – Pride Month
• September – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• December – International Day of Persons with Disabilities 

If your identity or artistic practice aligns with any of these themes, we warmly encourage you to share this in your application and consider submitting a proposal for the corresponding month.

Selection Process

All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a selection committee, comprised of Richmond Hill staff and citizen representatives.  

Only successful applicants will be contacted to discuss the contract details and confirm the exhibit.  

Applications are accepted by submitting a completed  Visual Art Gallery Application Form online.

There is no application fee when submitting an exhibition proposal to the RHCPA Visual Art Gallery.  

All successful applicants will be required to pay a fee that accounts for installation and administration costs. This fee is payable prior to the installation of the exhibition.

• 2025 Fee: $216.3 (+HST)
• 2026 Fee: To be confirmed in Fall 2025 through the 2026 Tariff of Fees

Exhibitors are invited to include work for sale at their exhibition. All funds from sales completed during the exhibit at the RHCPA will remain with the artist. The artist is responsible for managing sales during the exhibit. Funds will not be collected through the RHCPA Box Office.

Exhibitors have the opportunity to host an opening reception, should they wish. The coordination of the reception is the responsibility of the exhibitor(s), including scheduling with the City of Richmond Hill’s Theatre staff. All costs associated with the reception are the responsibility of the exhibitor(s). Receptions are NOT confirmed until a signed contract with RHCPA and associated fees have been received.

Reception

Exhibitors have the opportunity to host an opening reception, should they wish. The coordination of the reception is the responsibility of the exhibitor(s), including scheduling with staff at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. All costs associated with the reception are the responsibility of the exhibitor(s). Receptions are NOT confirmed until a signed contract with RHCPA and associated fees have been received.

June 2025 - Minwaa Niinwind Dabaadjimownan: Our Story Continues 

Celebrating the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation’s community, culture and people through art

May 28 – July 2, 2025

In commemoration of National Indigenous History Month and in partnership with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Richmond Hill is proud to present Minwaa Niinwind Dabaadjimownan: Our Story Continues. This exhibit celebrates the vibrant history and culture of MCFN, one of Richmond Hill’s Treaty Partners.

This exhibit showcases the works from MCFN artists and features a wide range of art forms, with each piece serving as a powerful tool for maintaining and communicating cultural knowledge, traditions and language for future generations. Through the power of art, themes of loss, pride and honour help tell the story of the resilient, vibrant and thriving First Nation that stands today.

The City of Richmond Hill thanks MCFN for the privilege of hosting the exhibit as an opportunity to share their history, culture, language and traditions with our community, which is located on the lands of the Toronto Purchase Treaty No. 13.

Exhibiting artists include: Tracey Anthony, Dawn Clarke, Kate Dalton, Jennifer Sault, Daniel Secord and Sylken Smith.

For any questions related to the exhibit, please contact stephanie.graham@richmondhill.ca.

May 2025 - Stephen Yau and Rosita Law: Renewal and New Beginnings

Spring is nature’s rebirth – flowers bloom, the days warm, and life renews. Hope is its echo in our hearts, the quiet belief that light follows darkness. Together, they remind us that after every winter comes revival, and that no struggle lasts forever. Like spring, hope persists, offering a fresh start and endless possibilities.

Discover the Renewal and New Beginnings collection by artists Stephen Yau and Rosita Law.

April 2025 - Olesya Betin: A Glance of Everyday Life

Discover a realm where everyday objects are transformed into captivating works of art. “A glance of everyday life” showcases the works of Olesya Betin, who masterfully elevates the ordinary into the extraordinary. Through a collection of paintings, this exhibition invites viewers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the intricate play of light, texture, and composition.

In addition to still life, the exhibition features striking portraits that capture the depth of human expression and emotion, as well as dynamic wildlife scenes that bring the natural world to life. Through these diverse subjects, Olesya Betin demonstrates a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the beauty found in both the everyday and the untamed.

March 2025 – Richmond Hill Group of Artists  l  Local Visions: A Celebration of Art and Expression

Step into a vibrant showcase of creativity, where the unique perspectives of our talented local artists take center stage. Local Visions brings together an eclectic mix of original artwork, featuring a rich variety of styles, mediums, and subject matter. From abstract expressions to delicate watercolours, this exhibition celebrates the diversity of artistic vision within our community. Every piece tells its own story, inviting viewers to connect with the emotion, technique, and message behind it.

Discover the incredible talent that exists right in our own backyard. This is a celebration of local artistry and a testament to the power of creative expression.

Learn more about the Richmond Hill Group of Artists

February 2025 ­– Richmond Hill Remembers: Time and Place

Richmond Hill High School student artists present a collection of works inspired by their experiences and memories in the spaces we share. Each piece is a reflection of our place within the community: from everyday scenes on the way to school, acknowledging the coexistence of past and present, or reinterpreting landmarks. These images explore interiors and exteriors, urban locations and parks. Enjoy viewing our local community through the eyes, imagination, and identities of our students.

Additional student pieces can also be viewed at the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre until March 15. 

January 2025 – Na’s Gallery and Art Atelier 2025 Showcase: Present Presence

In a world of constant change, we are ceaselessly pulled between the past and the future, often overlooking the “present” at our feet. Titled “Present Presence,” this exhibition delves into the subtle interplay between time and existence. These works capture fleeting moments, rendering reflections on the present — an invitation to rediscover those overlooked fragments of life and trace the ephemeral emotions and memories within. We invite viewers to slow down, open their hearts, and immerse in every detail, experiencing the reality of this moment. Here, now becomes timeless. May each visitor encounter their own “Present Presence” in this space.