Opportunities for Artists

Find opportunities for local and regional artists including:

Calls for Public Art

Public Art Roster

The City of Port Coquitlam Public Art Program is seeking artists, designers and other creative professionals for the 2025–2027 Public Art Artist Roster. This roster will be comprised of pre-qualified artists who can provide original artwork for a variety of art opportunities, including but not limited to utility box art wraps, murals and other temporary urban design and infrastructure-based installations in the public realm.

Artist Fee: $500 to $2,500
Eligibility: Creative professionals that live and/or work in Port Coquitlam may be given priority; however, the call is open to creative professionals in the Lower Mainland who are able to commute to Port Coquitlam for scheduled site visits and meetings.
Deadline: April 11, 2025
Duration: April 2025 to April 2027

Apply Now

Exhibition Program

The Michael Wright Art Gallery (MWAG), Outlet Gallery, Port Coquitlam Community Centre and City Hall Gallery feature a rotating program of exhibitions by local and regional artists. The exhibitions advance knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the visual arts by integrating art into community life and contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of Port Coquitlam. The galleries welcome proposals from artists for exhibitions in all media and subject matter, including solo or group shows of two or more artists.

MWAG, Outlet, & PCCC Gallery Application

City Hall Gallery Application

Michael Wright Art Gallery (MWAG)
2253 Leigh Square Place, Port Coquitlam

The Michael Wright Art Gallery is our primary exhibition space. Designed as a circular building, the MWAG features a 23ft (approx.) high ceiling, rounded walls, and a 40ft (approx.) diameter floor space (see Fig.1). Artwork can be hung on the lower level of the 23ft high walls. Three-dimensional artwork and installations can be displayed in select areas on the floor of the gallery. The MWAG also features 17ft of additional wall space in the hallway entrance to the gallery (see Fig.3). This space is ideal for large collections of work and group shows.

Please see the attached MWAG floor plan. [PDF/401KB]

Interior space of art gallery. The gallery has yellowish carpets with very high ceilings.

Artwork on display hanging from art gallery walls.

Fig. 1 | MWAG, 23 ft (approx.) walls and 40ft dia (approx.) floor
Fig. 2 | Additional wall space in the hallway entrance to the gallery

Outlet Gallery
2248 McAllister Avenue, Port Coquitlam

The Outlet Gallery features 20ft of glass display cabinets (see Fig. 3) as well as 23ft of wall space (see Fig. 4). Located within the Outlet building, this gallery is ideal for a moderately sized collection of works and the display of small to medium-sized sculptures, pottery, and ceramics.

See the attached Outlet Gallery floor plan. [PDF/237KB]

Display cases containing different pieces or art.

Orange art gallery wall with artwork on them.

Fig. 3 | 20ft of glass display cabinets
Fig. 4 | 23ft of wall space

Port Coquitlam Community Centre
2150 Wilson Ave, Port Coquitlam

The Port Coquitlam Community Centre features 19ft of wall space (see Fig. 5) and is ideal for emerging or professional artists to display two-dimensional works of any media. This space is ideal for larger-scale collections of work.

Row of artwork on display. They are hanging from an art gallery's wall.

Fig. 5 | 19ft of wall space

City Hall Gallery
2580 Shaughnessy St, Port Coquitlam

The City Hall Gallery features 35ft of wall space and is ideal for emerging artists to display two-dimensional works of any media. This space is ideal for small collections of work. This gallery space is reserved for artists residing in Port Coquitlam only.

Exhibition Proposals

Artists submitting an exhibition proposal must outline a curatorial concept or cohesive exhibition theme. The MWAG, Outlet, Port Coquitlam Community Centre, and City Hall Galleries each exhibit one theme per show, including exhibitions composed of multiple artists. We accept proposals from artists at all stages of their careers.

The MWAG, Outlet, and Port Coquitlam Community Centre Gallery are unique and dynamic spaces, and we encourage diverse and creative proposals that inspire and engage the community. There are no geographic restrictions for applicants.
The City Hall Gallery exhibits small collections of work from Port Coquitlam residents. These exhibitions are presented in the public domain allowing for an appreciation, understanding, and interpretation of our past and present through gallery programming.

The City of Port Coquitlam supports exhibiting artists with artist fees, marketing materials, and promotion (City website, newsletter, press release, social media). The City also supports the sale of artwork (optional).

Exhibition proposals must include all of the following items to be considered:

Michael Wright, Outlet, and Port Coquitlam Community Centre Gallery

C.V. or resume (Max. 2 pages)
Artist Statement (Max. 500 words)
Statement of Proposed Work and Exhibition Theme (Max. 2 pages)
Digital Image List, including filename, title, medium, size, year, and price. If the work is not for sale, please label as NFS.
Images of the artworks: 10 – 20 woks that you propose to exhibit in the MWAG or Outlet Gallery. All works must be available for the exhibition. Images must be labeled to match the corresponding digital image list in the following format: last name, first initial, sequence number. Example: Smith_J_01.jpg

City Hall Gallery

Artist Bio, including confirmation that the artist resides in Port Coquitlam
Artist Statement (Max. 500 words)
Digital Image List, including filename, title, medium, size, year, and price. If the work is not for sale, please label as NFS.
Images of the artworks: 3 – 10 works that you propose to exhibit in the City Hall Gallery. All works must be available for the exhibition. Images must be labeled to match the corresponding digital image list in the following format: last name, first initial, sequence number. Example: Smith_J_01.jpg

Artist Collectives or Collaborative Groups

If submitting an application on behalf of a collective or as part of a collaborative proposal, one lead artist should provide their address and contact information, with the names of the other artists listed in the statement of proposed work and exhibition theme. Applications should include work samples from each artist (to a maximum of 20 total images, for other mediums please contact [email protected]), and individual resumes and bios should be provided for each artist. Collaborative groups will be required to share the gallery space and honorarium.

Selection Process

Exhibition proposals are reviewed by a selection committee that includes members of Port Coquitlam’s arts community. The selection committee makes recommendations based on the quality of the artists’ submitted material. Artists will receive notice of receipt of submissions. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application 4 to 6 weeks after the application deadline.

If selected, artwork must be provided exhibition-ready: works on paper must be matted and framed; canvases must be on a stretcher with finished edges or framed; three-dimensional works (for the wall or free-standing) must have appropriate hanging and/or supporting structures.

Artist-in-Residence Program

The Artist-in-Residence program is a self-directed residency offering artists the opportunity to research, develop, and produce new or ongoing bodies of work with dedicated studio time. The Artist-in-Residence program offers opportunities for artists to work in the community, to develop arts-based engagement activities, and to deliver creative projects that generate meaningful connections. The program encourages artists to work collaboratively with community members (who may or may not see themselves as creative) in initiatives where the participants take a central role as creators, producers, and performers, or as active audiences for the project. Our residencies are open to artists or artist collectives working in the visual, performance, literary, and musical arts.

The City of Port Coquitlam Artist-in-Residence program does not offer a live-in residency and takes place in a community center setting with shared studio resources. Artists interested in the program should live or work in Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada, within reasonable commuting distance from the facilities.

Artist-in-Residence Application

Lions Park Fieldhouse Studio

Our Lions Park studio features a 140 sq.ft (approx.) fieldhouse with skylights. This studio is reserved for an artist working with natural materials and/or creating environmental installations. Residencies are coordinated in consultation with the City Parks department. The artist is expected to commit a minimum of 80 hours to the residency. These hours must take place in Lions Park and will include the research, creation, and documentation of the project, along with public engagement workshops and/or public presentations.

Fieldhouse studio at Lions Park with colourful painted mural and greenery surrounding

Lions Park fieldhouse facility includes:

Limited storage space.
Work tables and chairs.
Power outlets.
Access to water in nearby public washroom.
Access to park facilities and natural environment. Use of natural materials must be coordinated with Parks staff.
Artists are responsible for personal expenses including materials related to their work during their residency tenure.

In exchange for studio space, artists facilitate a community-engaged arts project, which includes public workshops and/or outreach programs for the local community, as part of their residency.

Artists are required to commit a minimum number of hours per week in the studio, depending on the artist’s proposed project. Artists are also expected to develop and maintain a dedicated on-line presence where residents can follow their project for the duration of their residency (website, blog, and/or social media account).

Artists will be paid an artist fee of $4,800 per residency in Lions Park (5-6 months) to cover research, development, and delivery of community engagement programs taking place during the residency. A limited budget for materials for public workshops and project documentation is also available, to be negotiated on a project by project basis.

The Artist in Residence is invited to produce and present a public showing of work during their residency. Opportunities include:

Outdoor public art or performance produced as part of a City of Port Coquitlam festival or special event.
Temporary or ephemeral outdoor public art installed in a City park.
Public performance, reading, artist talk, etc

Please ensure to include the following information and supporting documents:

C.V. or resume (Max. 3 pages)
Artist Statement (Max. 500 words)
Statement of Intent for Project (Max. 2 pages)
Portfolio or link to website (preferred)
2 Professional References

Artist Collectives or Collaborative Groups

If submitting an application on behalf of a collective or as part of a collaborative proposal, one lead artist should provide their address and contact information, with the names of the other artists listed in the statement of intent. Applications should include work samples from each artist (to a maximum of 20 total images, for other mediums please contact [email protected]), and individual resumes and bios should be provided for each artist. Collaborative groups will be required to share studio space and honorarium.

Selection Process

Artist in Residence proposals are reviewed and evaluated based on the quality of the artists’ submitted material. The ideal candidate will have training in their field, be self-directed, and able to work independently. Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to artistic excellence, as well as an interest in experimentation and innovative ideas. The successful residency candidate will be willing to work with the local community and develop their professional practice.

Interviews

Shortlisted artists or artist collectives will be invited to meet with Arts & Culture staff. This meeting will include an interview, a tour of the facilities, and an opportunity for the artist(s) to ask any questions related to the residency program to ensure the residency would be mutually beneficial.

Final selection

Arts & Culture staff will award residencies to artists or artist collectives based on the program criteria listed above, the strength of the interview, and reference checks. Applicants will be notified of their status as soon as adjudication is complete.

Artist-in-Residence Application

Opportunities for Artists

Calls for Public Art

Public Art Roster

Exhibition Program

Exhibition Spaces

Exhibition Guidelines

Artist-in-Residence Program

Studio Space

Artist-In-Residence Guidelines