Registration for the 2026 Festival is now closed, thank you for your interest.
Emerging and experienced photographers are encouraged to register their Open Call Exhibition in the 30th edition of CONTACT, taking place May 1–31, 2026.
The Festival’s Open Call program is comprised of artist- and community-organized exhibitions across the GTA. From young students representing the next generation of image-makers to career retrospectives from life-long image-makers, these grassroots exhibitions demonstrate a passion for the medium in all its forms.
Who can participate?
Lens-based artists at any career or hobby level are encouraged to register. This program is non-juried and CONTACT does not review submissions. If you register your fully organized exhibition by the deadline, you will be part of the Festival.
Where can I hold my exhibition?
Any venue accessible to the public in the Greater Toronto Area, including outdoor spaces and storefront windows, is eligible as an Open Call Exhibition. Artist and organizers must secure a venue in which to hold the exhibition and are responsible for all aspects of production.
When can my exhibition take place?
Your exhibition dates must fall in the month of May 2026, either in full or in part. (ie. May 1-31, April 28-May 5, May 20-June 9, etc)
Exhibitions can be held for any duration (one night only to a full month or more) depending on your venue, schedule, and budget.
What is the deadline to register? How much does it cost?
Registration is open until January 19, 2026. Registration is free!
Will CONTACT facilitate or produce my exhibition?
No, artists and organizers are responsible for all aspects of the exhibition’s production and presentation.
Will CONTACT find a venue for me?
Artists and organizers are responsible for securing a venue space. If venues are looking for artists, CONTACT can try to facilitate connections where applicable. CONTACT can also inform artists about rental spaces throughout the city.
For ideas on what venues to approach, CONTACT recommends viewing past participating spaces in the Festival Archives.
HOW TO REGISTER
After creating an account profile at our registration portal, you will need the following information to complete your Open Call Exhibition registration.
Exhibition Details
Artist name(s)
Exhibition title
Exhibition dates + opening reception details, if applicable
Exhibition text (maximum 100 words, written in the present tense and third person (ie. “Jane Doe’s exhibition Untitled showcases images made over a decade…”)
Venue name and address
Venue contact information (phone, email, website)
Venue accessibility information (guidelines here)
Venue hours of operation
Three images (.jpg or .png, 5MB or less, max 3000px on longest side, min 1200px on longest side) with caption info “Artist, Title, Year”
Above photo: Installation view of Maggz Elizabeth, Faded Reverie, Gallery 1888, Toronto. Part of CONTACT's 2025 Open Call Exhibition program. Courtesy of the artist and Gallery 1888.