Call for Submissions: 2025 Emerging Digital Artists Award

2025 EDAA Call for Submissions

Apply by August 18, 2025
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EQ Bank is pleased to launch the 11th edition of the Emerging Digital Artists Award, Canada’s award for critical experimentation in digital media, accepting submissions now through August 18, 2025.

The 2025 award includes:

• Five $5,000 prizes;
• Participation in a touring group exhibition at Gallery TPW, Toronto, and Art Windsor-Essex, Windsor, in 2026;
• Participation in a virtual exhibition produced by Cat Bluemke and Dream Bike Game Co-op (Brendy Lehman) in partnership with the MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, in 2026 (Visit the 2024 EDAA Virtual Exhibition “Sedimentary Futures” for a taste of their incredible work!);
• A one-year subscription to Pilot Art List, an email list service with paid artist opportunities in Canada and the US, valued at $100; and
• For one recipient, the opportunity to produce an Artist Project in the Fall 2026 issue of BlackFlash Magazine through mentorship support from their editorial team.

This year’s award also features a new digital series by Adrienne Matheuszik and an impressive lineup of guest judges from the digital art community.

2024 EDAA recipients Quinn Hopkins, Moni Omubor, Carmilla Sumantry, Caeleigh Long (Studio Ekosi), and Francisco Gonzalez-Rosas at the 2024 EDAA ceremony at Gallery TPW, Toronto. Image: Darren Rigo.

Artists within the first eight years of their professional careers are encouraged to apply. We welcome submissions of screen-based works that are not only created with digital technologies, but also speak to the concerns, ethics, and constructs of virtual space and their production. Submissions should be made to one of five 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, 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.

Installation view of Francisco Gonzalez-Rosas, the museum of the copy/pasted identities, 2022, as part of the 2024 EDAA Exhibition at EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society, Calgary, April 4 – May 3, 2025. Image: Blaine Campbell.

To submit your work for consideration, follow these steps:

• Read full details on How to Apply, including the Terms and Conditions.
• When ready, fill out the online application with your artwork submission along with a 200-word statement, a short artist biography, and artist CV.

Deadline for Applications: Monday, August 18, 2025, by 11:59 pm ET.

Questions about the EDAA can be sent to edaa@eqbank.ca.

For the latest information about the 2025 prize, follow us on Instagram: @edaa_eqb

The EDAA is presented by EQ Bank with our 2025 partners: MacKenzie Art Gallery, Gallery TPW, Art Windsor-Essex, and BlackFlash Magazine.

About the Emerging Digital Artists Award

The Emerging Digital Artists Award is Canada’s major award for critical experimentation in digital media, proudly presented by EQ Bank. Established in 2015, the EDAA has awarded over $150,000 to 55 artists and celebrated a range of screen-based practices including video, animation, virtual reality, game art, and web art.

About EQ Bank

EQ Bank is the digital banking platform launched in 2016 by Equitable Bank, Canada’s Challenger Bank™. As a future-ready financial institution, fostering innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We firmly believe in the benefits of open banking and continue to invest in technology to serve the changing financial needs of Canadians.

Top image: Adrienne Matheuszik, Caldera, 2025