Call for Artists – Third Shift 2025: Revolve

THIRD SHIFT 2025 Call for Artists: REVOLVE

THIRD SHIFT is an annual festival of public contemporary artworks that takes place in Saint John, New Brunswick. THIRD SHIFT 2025 will take place from August 15 – 17, 2025.

Established in 2015, THIRD SHIFT holds space for new experiences and communal exchange through the exhibition of temporary public art installations, performances, and screenings. For more information about THIRD SHIFT and to see installations from previous festivals, please visit the festival website.

Habitation, Natt Cann & Caitlin Wilson, THIRD SHIFT 2024. Photo by Lorne Power.

THIRD SHIFT Call for Proposals

This year’s theme, “REVOLVE”, reflects on many aspects of life: job prospects, creative practices, social lives- everything always remains in perpetual motion. REVOLVE refers to the everchanging, constant flow of ideas, movements, thoughts, emotions, and powers that drive artists to create. When reflecting on communities, it can denote growth, progress, change, processes, and development. When looking inward, revolve takes on a more serious note, it can touch on personal turmoil, habits, hobbies, emotions, finances, living spaces, or status compared to the rest of the world.

As artists, it is important to continue creating, no matter whether the revolving door is going in the right or wrong direction. Does the theme challenge your surroundings, or does it match the rhythm of the world around it? THIRD SHIFT invites applicants to delve into this theme in whatever manner that suits their proposal best. THIRD SHIFT provides a platform for artists and creatives alike to experiment through public art in a low-barrier, accessible fashion, with themes guiding their way. What does REVOLVE mean to you?

This theme is intentionally broad and, as such, can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. The proposed projects can take almost any form, from installation to performance. Applicants are encouraged to interpret the theme creatively. THIRD SHIFT values experimentation and collaboration.

Third Watch Call for Submissions

Going into its third year, Third Watch is a celebration of digital video works, and a new component of THIRD SHIFT programming. It will take place in Saint John, NB on Friday, August 15, 2025. Third Watch aims to highlight audio-visual content that is exploratory, challenging, and critical in nature. Third Watch encourages work that may not be commercially viable, or not suitable as an installation as a part of THIRD SHIFT. Submissions must be under 15 minutes in length. Content may be narrative, documentary, experimental, or anything in between.

Ready to Travel, Tina Sharapova, THIRD SHIFT 2024. Photo by Lorne Power.

Info Sessions:
Open to everyone / drop in / Q&A format

THIRD SHIFT encourages folks who are new to the festival or the application process to attend an info session! They will cover various aspects of the festival, including both THIRD SHIFT and Third Watch, as well as workshops, artist talks, and more.

Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 862 059 1126

Wednesday, February 19 | 7:30 – 8:30pm AT
Saturday, February 22 | 7 – 8pm AT
Thursday, February 27 | 7 – 8pm AT

THIRD SHIFT Application

Theme: REVOLVE

Application Form:
Download PDF (EN)
Download Word Doc (EN)
Télécharger PDF (FR)
Télécharger Doc Word (FR)

Deadline for Applications: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 11:59pm AT

Submit to: Please send the following documents to the email address thirdspacesubmissions@gmail.com with the subject line THIRD SHIFT 2025

• Completed application form
• Relevant images/video/audio (Artists can include work that has been started or completed, similar work made in the past, sketches of the proposed project, or use any image/video/audio clip that will help the committee visualize the proposal)

Third Watch Application

Application Form:
Download PDF (EN)
Download Word Doc (EN)
Télécharger PDF (FR)
Télécharger Doc Word (FR)

Deadline for Applications: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 11:59pm AT

Submit to: Please send the following documents to the email address thirdspacesubmissions@gmail.com with the subject line Third Watch 2025

• Completed application form
• Video link or file

Untitled, THIRD SHIFT 2024. Photo by Ray Travers.

Third Space will also accept proposals via phone, video, or audio file if email or text-based format is not accessible to the applicant. Artists may submit their application in English or in French. Please note that the selection process will take place in English, so applications will be translated.

Need help? Application assistance is available for anyone who faces disability-related barriers to completing an online application and/or Indigenous applicants facing language, geographic and/or cultural barriers within the online application process. Please contact the festival team at thirdspacesubmissions@gmail.com!

Learn more about both calls on the Third Space website.

Contact:
Manny Travers
Executive Director, Third Space Gallery
tiersespace@gmail.com

Social Media:
Instagram @thirdspacegallery
Facebook @thirdspacegallery | @thirdshiftsj

Image descriptions:
1. Graphic with white text and gold circle accent in the lower right corner. Writing includes “CALL FOR ARTISTS”, “Theme: REVOLVE”, and “DEADLINE: March 8 11:59pm Atlantic”. The THIRD SHIFT logo is at the lower left corner in white. Supporting background image is Ready to Travel, Tina Sharapova, THIRD SHIFT 2024. Photo by Lorne Power.
2. Multicolour paper houses sit on a shelf with lights glowing in around them.
3. Felted cocoons illuminated by lights are strung from a rope suspended between two trees in a park at night.
4. An aerial view of King’s Square in Uptown Saint John, occupied by festival installations and attendees at dusk.