How to Apply

To be eligible, you’ll need to be:

• A resident of Canada
• At least 18 years of age
• An emerging artist

We consider an emerging artist to be someone within the first eight years of their professional career, beginning with their first solo or group exhibition outside of an academic context (ex. a thesis show) in a museum, public or commercial gallery, or artist-run centre. Game developers and designers working in art / alt / experimental games, and web designers working in experimental, non-commercial web projects are also encouraged to apply. 

Applicants are not required to be current students or to have completed a degree in Fine Arts. We encourage all emerging artists matching our definition to apply.

Applicants are asked to submit their work to ONE of the following five award categories:

Still Image > A still work created through digital processes such as generative imagery, scanning technology, photo manipulation, illustration graphics, or renders of 3D models or virtual worlds.

Moving Image > A time-based 2D work using digital processes in its creation, including but not limited to video, animation, machinima, and GIF art.

2D Interactive > An interactive artwork experienced on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone such as game art (both 2D and 3D) and web art, as well as generative simulations that do not require direct user input.

Extended Reality (XR) > A virtual, augmented, or mixed reality work experienced through a smartphone, tablet, or headset, or as a 360-degree video.

3D Installation > A multi-component, primarily screen-based work produced and presented with digital technologies that engages audiences in physical space and combines moving image, sound, interactivity, and/or movement.

To be eligible for consideration, the artwork must:

• Take the form of ‘Digital Art’, defined here as a screen-based artwork that demonstrates an engagement with digital technologies in the process of its creation. Analogue processes may be part of the work’s production, but the output must be digital. Digital documentation of traditional media will not be considered. Priority will be given to submissions that are considering the experimental, conceptual, and aesthetic potentials of digital tools and processes, as well as those engaging in art historical and contemporary art discourses
• Rely on the digital to exist, taking advantage of and experimenting with its immaterial qualities, and have a visual component (i.e. it cannot solely be sound-based). For entries with audio, applicants must either own copyright or have permission to use and credit accordingly
• Be submitted as a complete work (in progress artworks or project proposals will not be considered)
• Be dated no earlier than five years prior to the submission deadline. Only one work per applicant can be considered
• For AI-generated media and works produced using AI, include a rationale for why it was used and a description of how the work was made

Work produced using digital tools that is not engaged with digital technologies, themes, aesthetics, concepts, or processes is unlikely to win. For example, an image taken with a digital camera does not necessarily constitute digital art

Priority will be given to works that are rooted in a contemporary art versus commercial art practice

Submissions are assessed under five main criteria: 

1. Relevance
   The extent to which the work meets our qualification criteria as a ‘digital artwork’, defined for the purposes of this award as a screen-based artwork that demonstrates an engagement with digital technologies in the process of its creation and the extent to which the work operates within the umbrella of contemporary art.  
2. Technique
   The technical aspects of the work, including the approach to production and handling of the medium and the artists’ demonstrated command over the tools and programs used. 
3. Aesthetics
   The presentation of the work in relation to its technique and concept. This includes stylistic choices, historical and contemporary references, experimentation with form, and visual content.    
4. Concept
   The ideas and/or concerns driving the work, how they are embodied in the technical approach and stylistic choices, and the work’s relationship to historical and contemporary digital culture more broadly. 
5. Originality
   The extent to which the work reflects a nuanced perspective and unexpected or unique approach to digital art production.

Artist Statement 

Your written statement should briefly and succinctly address how your work meets the five evaluation criteria listed above. When writing, here are 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 are demonstrated in the creation of your artwork? 
• How does the work’s aesthetic form and content relate to your overall intentions as an artist? 
• What are you trying to communicate through this work? 

Your application must include either a weblink or a download link to a full-resolution version of the artwork using a file sharing service such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer. 

Weblinks
If the artwork can be experienced online through Vimeo, YouTube, or similar streaming services, or on your own website, please submit it as a link on the online application form.  

Download links
For non-browser-based works (eg virtual reality and game art), or work that is best experienced in its original file format, please submit a link to a downloadable, full-resolution version using a file sharing service such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer. Files will be downloaded within 30 days of submission. 

For games or immersive technologies that require specialized software (ex. a specific browser) and/or hardware (ex. a headset) to run, please include either a link to experience the work online or a demo video of the work, along with the original file(s), which will allow each jury member to review and assess remotely. Please include specialized instructions for navigation, if applicable.

While there are no limitations on an artwork’s duration, if the submission exceeds 15 minutes, it is highly recommended that you submit an excerpt along with your original file(s).

Submitted artworks and applications must meet the following requirements: 

Submissions must follow the naming convention:
FirstInitialLastName_TitleOfWork

If you experience technical difficulties with your online application, contact us at edaa@eqbank.ca.

To be considered for the 2025 Award, please submit a completed online application form by August 18, 2025, 11:59pm ET, including:

• A curriculum vitae (CV) in either PDF or .doc format 
• A link to access and/or download your digital artwork
• A short artist biography (100 words max.) 
• A written statement about your work (200 words max.) 
• A confirmation that you agree to the Terms & Conditions