Guidelines

Eligibility

We consider an emerging artist as someone within the first five years of their professional career, beginning with their first solo or group exhibition in a museum, public or commercial gallery, or artist-run center.

Applicants aren’t required to be current students or to have completed a degree in Fine Arts. We encourage all emerging artists matching our definition to apply. To be eligible, you’ll need to be:

  • A resident of Canada
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Available to attend the award ceremony in Toronto (if selected as a finalist)

Artwork Qualifications

Submitted artwork must be screen-based and created using digital technologies, which include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, digital cameras, audio recording devices, computers, computer programs or software.

Your work must rely on the digital to exist, taking advantage of and experimenting with its immaterial qualities. Artwork must also include an image component (electronic music will only be accepted if accompanied with image).

Your artwork must be dated no earlier than five years prior to the submissions deadline. Digital documentation of traditional media will not be considered and only one piece of artwork can be submitted for judging.
Video Player

Submission Criteria

We base our judging on four main criteria

  • Relevance

    This means we’re looking at the extent to which your submitted work meets our eligibility criteria, specifically that the work is screen-based and digitally produced.

  • Technique

    This includes your handling of the medium, which can refer to cinematography, editing, modelling or other modes of production. As part of this criteria, “technique” doesn’t include stylistic choices such as image content, colouring, and composition. Focus is placed primarily on the work’s technical aspects.

  • Aesthetics

    The presentation of your work will be judged in relationship to its technique and intention, as you describe it in your statement. Your stylistic choices and experimentation with form will be evaluated alongside the work’s image content.

  • Statement (250 words)

    Your written statement should address how your work meets the other three evaluation criteria (i.e. relevance, technique, and aesthetics) and its relationship to digital culture more broadly.

When writing, here’s some questions to consider:

  • How does the work participate in a broader contemporary discourse around digital technologies, spaces, and objects?
  • How was your artwork made, and what technical skills or proficiencies were demonstrated in the creation of your artwork?
  • How does the work’s aesthetic (form and content) relate to your intention as the artist? What are you trying to communicate through this work?
 

Application Process

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on June 15, 2018.

Applying Online

Each applicant must complete an online application form and upload a curriculum vitae (CV) along with their digital art file (see file requirements below*). If you prefer to mail in your submission, contact us at edaa@eqbank.ca.

*Files in .exe or .html format must be submitted in a zipped folder.

 

File Requirements

Category Digital Format Requirements
Motion Graphic
  • .avi
  • .mov
  • .mpeg
  • .mp4
  • .wmv
  • .f4v

The maximum file size for motion graphics is 2 GB.

For entries with sound, you must own the copyright to the sound used. If the sound is created by someone else, permission must be granted and credit given.

For web and app-based entries, please provide brief instructions in your written statement.
Digital Image
  • .gif
  • .jpeg
  • .png
  • .exe
  • .html

Maximum resolution of 1280 x 800 and maximum file size of 500 Mb.

Interactive programs must be compatible with Windows 7 or later (.app files not accepted).

Websites or web-based projects must be compatible with Google Chrome or Internet Explorer.

Application
  • .exe
  • .html

Interactive programs must be compatible with Windows 7 or later (.app files not accepted).

Websites or web-based projects must be compatible with Google Chrome or Internet Explorer.

Submissions must follow the naming convention FirstInitialLastName_TitleOfWork. If you experience technical difficulties with your online application, contact us at edaa@eqbank.ca.