2026 PLATFORM PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD

PLATFORM centre is excited to announce the 2026 PLATFORM Photography Award. This yearly award aims to assist the recipient in their creation of new lens-based work (photography and video). To be eligible for this award you must be based in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba. Current students are not eligible. Please review our mandate before submitting.

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The winner of this award will receive:

• $3000 CAD

• a one-year PLATFORM membership

• one-year access to PLATFORM’s black and white darkrooms

• feature on PLATFORM’s website

• travel support for out of province applicants

• a solo exhibition in PLATFORM’s Gallery 2

 

Applications are due 30 May, 2026 at midnight CST. Submissions must include a bio, CV, artist statement (500 words max), 10 images of work (if video, total duration of 10 minutes, screening links are preferred), and image list. Your submission must be one single PDF*.  The winner will be chosen by a jury composed of community members, PLATFORM Board Members and PLATFORM staff.

 

* To ensure accessibility in our calls, we accept alternative forms of submission. Please contact programming@platformgallery.org for assistance with the application process.​

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APPLY NOW!

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JOB CALL - PUBLIC PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

PLATFORM centre for photographic + digital arts is seeking a passionate, flexible, and community-minded individual to join our team as a Public Programs Coordinator. In this role, you will support the development and coordination of PLATFORM’s growing public programming initiatives, community events, and artist-centered activities.

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Reporting to the Director and Board of Directors, the Public Programs Coordinator assists with the coordination and delivery of public programming, outreach initiatives, workshops, lectures, screenings, and special events. They will support programming connected to the PLATFORM Photography Award, Curator-in-Residence Program, Digital Workspace, Darkroom facilities and Darkroom Drop-Ins. The Public Programs Coordinator will assist the Director with communications, audience engagement, promotional design, and event logistics.

 

TERMS: 15 hours per week (12 month contract) part-time position, hybrid flexible work environment, must be able to work some Saturdays and evenings
SALARY: $22.00 per hour
APPLY TO: Email to director@platformgallery.org with the subject: Application – Public Programs Coordinator.

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DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCES

• Post-secondary education in arts, communications, cultural studies, administration or equivalent experience.

• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, members, exhibiting artists, technicians, facilitators, and the Board of Directors.

• Ability to begin and work on projects independently.

• Strong organizational and communication skills.

• Experience coordinating events, workshops, or community programming.

• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, InDesign, and related design software.

• Familiarity with Google Suite and social media platforms.

• Ability to problem-solve and find creative solutions quickly

• Familiarity with darkroom practices, photography, or digital media production is considered an asset.

• An interest in contemporary art, artist-run culture, and expanded photographic practices.

• Comfortable working in a flexible and fluid artist-run centre environment.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Assisting with the coordination and delivery of public programming and community initiatives.

• Supporting programming connected to the PLATFORM Photography Award and Curator-in-Residence Program.

• Assisting with Digital Workspace scheduling.

• Supporting communication and scheduling related to Darkroom Committees and monthly Darkroom Drop-Ins.

• Assisting with artist talks, workshops, screenings, lectures, and exhibition-related events.

• Designing promotional materials and graphics for programming initiatives.

• Assisting with newsletters, social media content, and audience outreach.

• Coordinating program registrations and participant communication.

• Maintaining organized and accurate records of attendance, registrations, and programming statistics aligning with brand standards.

• Assisting with exhibition openings and special events.

• Maintaining organized schedules and event logistics.

• Supporting accessibility initiatives and visitor engagement.

• Assisting with general gallery and event upkeep during programming activities.

• Attending board meetings and reporting as needed.

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BENEFITS

• A supportive and collaborative work environment dedicated to contemporary lens-based practices and community impact and opportunity for professional development.

• Flexible hybrid work structure.

• Basic health benefits package, paid holiday and artistic leave.

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HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter (2 pages max), resume (2 pages max), and optional examples of relevant programming, design, or community work, all as a single PDF to director@platformgallery.org by 1 June at 5PM CST. In your cover letter, please address your qualifications, relevant experience and why you are passionate about joining our team at PLATFORM.

 

PLATFORM is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, disabled, queer, trans, and otherwise underrepresented individuals within the arts community. Please reach out about any barriers and/or access needs during this application process. We will work with you to meet your needs. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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2026 MEMBERS' LIGHTBOX: 22x22 

Exchange District BIZ and PLATFORM invite submissions of lens-based image works for public presentation in illuminated light-boxes, as part of the 2026 Lights On The Exchange festival.

Four artists will be selected to present their work through this program. There are no thematic requirements for images submitted, but preference may be given to works that explore lesser told stories and alternative perspectives to the history of the neighbourhood. Each participating artist will receive a CARFAC exhibition fee.  Images should have an aspect ratio of 1:1, and will be printed in high resolution at a size of 22" x 22". 

DEADLINE: 15 NOVEMBER, 2025

We welcome submissions from artists at all stages of their careers whose practices engage with photography, film, video, or other lens-based image media. All artists submitting for consideration must have an active PLATFORM membership. To obtain a PLATFORM membership, visit our membership portal here. 

To learn more about Lights On The Exchange, visit the Exchange District BIZ website here. 

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SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED - CHECK BACK NOVEMBER 2026!

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2026/27 CURATOR IN RESIDENCE 

PLATFORM centre is accepting curatorial research proposals for a Curator in Residence. The curator will conceptualize and organize a group exhibition to be presented during our 2026-2027 exhibition year. This open call aims to support and foster independent curatorial research and seeks proposals that activate and challenge PLATFORM’s mandate and mission.

A finalized exhibition is not required for your application. Proposals should describe in detail an original concept for a group exhibition. Proposals should not include specific artists - the focus should be on the concept of the exhibition and its importance for the organization and audience.

The successful candidate will receive $3000 CAD curatorial fee, travel and research stipend and administrative, installation, marketing and PR support. Proposals will be adjudicated by the strength of the exhibition concept and the curator’s ability to both communicate and realize it. Applications will be reviewed by a jury including  PLATFORM staff, board members and community members.

CURATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
develop a group exhibition in consultation with PLATFORM
write a exhibition statement for press release (500 words max)
write a curatorial text for exhibition (1000 words max)
work with selected artists to realize their vision and coordinate with PLATFORM staff
title the exhibition
design exhibition layout
give curatorial tour of the exhibition

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (single PDF only)
Cover letter (1 page max)
Exhibition / curatorial description (1 page max)
CV with relevant and related experience (3 pages max)
10-15 images of related curatorial work and image descriptions
2-3 curatorial writing samples

PLATFORM is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants for their interest in this call; however, only the successful applicant will be contacted.

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APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED - CHECK BACK IN 2026!​​​

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: THE ANTI-COOKBOOK COOKBOOK

Edited by Noor Bhangu and Christina Hajjar

Co-presented and published by PLATFORM centre

 

DEADLINE: 31 JANUARY, 2025

 

We are seeking visual and textual recipes of dissent. These poetic/experimental recipes will be compiled into The Anti-Cookbook Cookbook, which is interested in nonconventional recipe forms and musings on  refusal, language, and the politics of food.

 

The cookbook industry often cannibalizes narratives of displacement and nostalgia to depoliticize food and open it for the consuming gaze. As American food writer and television host Padma Lakshmi writes, “the best thing about immigrant culture is the choice and variety of tastes and ingredients it offers.” Culinary tropes found in cookbooks exotify cultural differences to whet the appetite of Western readers. 

 

In response to the growing market of ethnic cookbooks, packaged multiculturalism, and the hyper-consumption of ethnic differences, this zine hopes to create alternative visions of relationality through food. 

 

What’s in your recipe for liberation? How do you revive a broken heart, feed a community, nourish your love? How do you protect your family secrets, your culinary inheritance? What’s in your decolonial food practice? What brands are we boycotting? How do you make your stomach not hurt? How do you adapt tradition, make ritual? 

 

This is an international open call for all ages. Selected participants will receive $300 CAD.

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SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY HERE!

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P121 MEMBERS WALL 

PLATFORM is always accepting submissions to our Member's Wall located in the main lobby of the Artspace building.

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Submission requirements: 

• active PLATFORM Membership

• works must fit within 8' X 4' 

• upon submitting please include title, medium, year 

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To submit work to be featured on our member's wall - please email outreach@platformgallery.org. 

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​​​MAIN SPACE / GALLERY 2 SUBMISSIONS

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PLATFORM welcomes proposals for new or recent work by contemporary artists, artist collectives, curators or collaborations practicing within the realm of photographic and digital art practices. To gain a greater understanding of the centre and it’s programming please review our mandate, past programming and outreach activities. For further information please contact the Centre directly

at programming@platformgallery.org.

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PLATFORM programs five in-house exhibitions each year and is committed to paying CARFAC fees. Exhibitions are both programmed in-house and from submissions. We have two spaces that we program, the Main Gallery and Gallery 2. Eligible submissions are reviewed by both Co-Director’s and a rotating advisory panel comprised of PLATFORM’s Programming Committee and community members. The Centre’s programming is usually scheduled 2–3 years in advance. The Centre will provide a CARFAC fee, installation assistance, and travel support for out of province applicants. The Centre will assist with return shipping when funds allow.

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Please clarify which exhibition space you are submitting to. Clarify if your submission includes a workshop, performance or Active Research Lecture for us to consider in conjunction with your exhibition. Only successful applicants will be notified.

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Please follow the guidelines for submissions carefully and include all necessary items to ensure your submission will be eligible for review.

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Submit your package as a single pdf*. 

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* To ensure accessibility in our calls, we accept alternative forms of submission. Please contact programming@platformgallery.org for assistance with the application process.

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Submission packages should include:

PROPOSAL

• Exhibition or project description (max one page)

• CV with contact information (max three pages)

• Artist bio and artist statement (max one page)

• Image list (titles, dimensions, dates, media)

• Curators should include proposed exhibition budget

 

SUPPORT MATERIAL

• A maximum of 10 files for consideration 

• Material must be numbered, titled and include your last name, and correspond to the image list

• If you are submitting time-based work: a maximum of 15 minutes (preview links only)

• If you are submitting a combination of images and time-based work; each minute of time-based work counts for one image

 

SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED, CHECK BACK IN 2026

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