Frequency Asked Questions

This varies, but in recent years we have seen an incredible increase in the volume of submissions and are averaging around 150-200 per year.

Not at this time. Submissions for the Mount Pleasant Community Arts Screen are currently closed. We are only accepting applications for our gallery space at this time.

There is often some variation in our programming, but typically we select 3 or 4 proposals per year from our submissions jury.

Yes, but we cannot guarantee funds for travel or all shipping costs. However, this has often been the case with our gallery and we are happy to support selected artists in applying for grants to help cover these costs. In 2025, we are prioritizing submissions from artists and curators based in the Metro Vancouver area. However we still welcome submissions from people based outside of this region and, if selected, will work with you to plan around additional expenses.

We consider 3 key areas in our jury: Artistic Merit Artistic Merit considers the artwork proposed as well as how you have contextualized the work and ideas, and how it engages with similar mediums/fields of practice. Impact The potential impact the proposed work will have in our programming and with our audiences, as well as the potential impact on the artist(s) at their current career stage. Feasibility Practical considerations like installation, physical space, volume, accessibility, shipping and insurance; as well as whether we are equipped to carry the proposed work with nuance and care, particularly for work that deals with…

Accessibility at grunt means more than just the physical space of the gallery that we are inviting people into. You can consider: We understand that not everyone shares the same experiences in engaging with accessibility work, but we always appreciate when it is prioritized or a willingness to collaborate with our Curatorial team and Exhibitions & Accessibility Manager is demonstrated. Even if you’re not sure where or how to start with this work, tell us what you’d like to try or who you want to have access to your work.

Because this is an important consideration for any artist or curator regardless of whether or not they present a project with grunt. Though grunt gallery has always had Indigenous folks on our staff/board, it is still largely and historically has been a settler-run organization. How we, and the artists and collaborators we engage, are in relation to the land and its communities is something we take very seriously. This question is not intended to shift the focus of your project to answering or solving the questions of decolonization and/or reconciliation, but to help us understand how you think of yourself…

grunt is on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ/selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) land and members of these Host Nations do not need to explain themselves to us. If any MST applicants would find this section a useful place to expand their thoughts on how their practice relates to their territories, they are welcome to but it is optional. If you’re Indigenous but not from MST Host Nations, please answer this question for insight into your practice and approach in relation to where you live and work. Answers are for internal review only.

We follow CARFAC rates for artist fees. In 2025, the rate for a solo exhibition at grunt is $3,300; the guest curator fee is $3,000. Additional fees are paid for programming, writing or other engagements as applicable to a given project.

Shipping: grunt provides funds for one-way shipping of artwork, generally up to a maximum of $500. If there is room in the exhibition budget after other costs are accounted for, we can sometimes pay for additional shipping costs. Installation: We cover install costs, with exact amounts dependent on other exhibition costs. Please note that grunt gallery does not pay for the fabrication of artworks, framing, or artwork materials costs..  Documentation: grunt hires a professional photographer to document all exhibitions for our archives. Artists will receive digital copies of these images. Documentation may include installation shots but may not include shots…

Travel and accommodations are not promised as a part of exhibiting an artist’s work, unfortunately. We work with selected artists to apply for travel funding and, depending on other project expenses, can sometimes contribute to these costs.

In nearly every case, expanded programs require seeking additional funding, or for the artist/curator to bring funds to the project via artist grants or other institutional funding. However, this does not mean that we are asking for free work if those other avenues of funding aren’t successful! We know it’s exciting to plan an exhibition, and sometimes it’s hard to make sure every aspect of your work is coming across as envisioned, but we always prefer to do something as well as we can with the resources we have, rather than overextending artists and ourselves.

Yes, we often work with artists and curators in applying for additional funding. This can come in the form of research on what funding is available, support in writing grants and providing support letters. However, it is important to bear in mind that external funding isn’t guaranteed and we will work together to develop a plan for how to realize your project within budget should additional funds not be secured.

Promotion and publicity are the responsibility of grunt gallery, and typically includes digital promotion through our newsletter, website and social media; local event listings; and press releases. grunt is not responsible for approaching reviewers but will assist whenever possible. Interview requests with journalists will be arranged by the Communications & Outreach Manager.

Yes and no; we cannot suspend work from the ceiling without renting scaffolding. Renting scaffolding immediately adds an additional $500-1000 to installation expenses, so if we can find an alternative that is very much preferred so that the budget can be allocated to other key expenses such as a publication and/or programming. Weight is also a consideration; our ceiling is not flat and not easy to install fixtures into.