SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Submitting your work for consideration

The Nelson Museum, Archives, and Gallery is both an art gallery and history museum with an extensive regional archive. Our carefully considered curatorial programming seeks to deliver a diverse offering of art and history — and the convergence of the two — in order to bring the most relevant exhibitions possible to our audience.

Exhibition programming is primarily invitational. Exhibitions presented at the Nelson Museum are confirmed 18 to 24 months in advance and are developed by the Curator, Archivist, Executive Director, and Exhibition Committee. We welcome artist submissions for the sole purpose of informing us about your work. These packages should not take the format of an exhibition proposal; rather they should serve to introduce your work to our organization. All proposals are kept on file and utilized if/when they fit into the curatorial direction for a given exhibition year. 
To let us know more about your practice, artists are encouraged to share: 
• A professional CV 
• Artist Statement 
• A selection of 10 – 20 images which best represent your practice (in .jpg format).

Images should be numbered and accompanied by a separate document that lists the title, year of production, medium, and dimensions for each work, as well as any other information that will assist in our appreciation and understanding of the work. Please provide web links (and passwords if necessary) for time-based work. 
Only electronic packages will be accepted. Send to curator@nelsonmuseum.ca.  Hard copy applications will not be considered and materials will not be returned. The Nelson Museum does not have a formal deadline for submissions, though they are reviewed periodically. Only those artists whose work is being considered will be contacted.  

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism, Diversity, Decolonization, and a Collaborative Community: 

It is understood internationally by museums, museologists, pedagogical experts, artists, curators, researchers, and community members alike, that all museums are colonial sites rooted in a history of racism. The Nelson Museum understands that we are a part of this history and must continue to take steps to dismantle the hegemonic presentation of history and break down systemic racism in our policies and within our own walls.  
Our work will be guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action; the First Nations Principles of OCAP (ownership, control, access, and possession); equity, diversity and anti-racism policies from the sector; research ethics; Indigenous Law and Protocol; and radical museology based in meaningful and authentic relationship-building with all members of our community. 
We expect that all artists represented in the galleries, and throughout the Museum, will hold values that align with our Anti-Racism and Equality statement, and will represent themselves and the Museum accordingly. 
Read the full statement here.

About the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery

Gallery A is a stunning, purpose-built, 1,500 sq.ft. Gallery space with professional exhibition lighting and climate control.   Gallery B is an intimate, purpose-built, 500 sq.ft. Gallery space with professional exhibition lighting and climate control. 
Floor plans of both spaces can be downloaded here.

Letters of Support

Letters of support will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please submit your request for a letter of support to curator@nelsonmuseum.ca at least 30 days prior to your deadline.