Call for Submissions: Utopia Rewired at DemocracyXChange 2026

Knitting Echoes, multi-media artwork by Ailin Dong (Canada) at DemocracyXChange Opening Night in 2025. Photo: Nicole In

Utopia Rewired Exhibition: Creative Visions for Democratic Futures

A partnership between the European Union through its Delegation to Canada, OCAD University and DemocracyXChange 2026.

Submission Deadline: February 2, 2026, 11:59pm ET

The Delegation of the European Union to Canada (EUD) and OCAD University invite emerging youth artists (aged 18–29) from Canada and the European Union (EU) to apply for an exciting opportunity to participate in the DemocracyXChange Summit (DXC), taking place April 16 – 18, 2026 in Toronto, Canada.

The DXC Summit is Canada’s flagship gathering for dialogue on democracy, civic imagination, and civic involvement. This year’s Summit, themed Side By Side: Building an Economy that Serves Democracy, will focus on the role that people play in shaping democratic and economic systems, in cities and countries alike, underscoring the need to address global challenges through collaborative, creative, and action-oriented approaches.

For the second year, the European Union through its Delegation to Canada and OCAD University are inviting emerging artists to exhibit as part of the Summit’s opening night on April 16, 2026. Selected artists will showcase their works during the DXC Opening Night Exhibition and will participate throughout the Summit, contributing to critical conversations on the role of art in strengthening democracy, civic life, and civil society.

Exhibition Theme: Utopia Rewired

About the Exhibition

Utopia Rewired invites emerging artists (ages 18–29) from across Canada and the European Union to imagine how creativity can help us re-envision not only democratic life but the economic systems that shape and sustain our collective future.

As DemocracyXChange 2026 explores building an economy that serves democracy, this exhibition invites artists to consider the economy as a cultural creation—something we can redesign, challenge, and collectively reimagine. We seek works that illuminate new forms of value, connection, and shared prosperity, challenging extractive systems by offering imaginative, relational, or regenerative alternatives.

Utopia Rewired asks:

• What might a people-centred, regenerative economy look and feel like?
• How could technology support—not hollow out—shared prosperity and public good?
• What rituals, infrastructures, or social systems could nurture belonging, reciprocity, and mutual support?
• How might artistic practice challenge dominant narratives of efficiency, individualism, and scarcity?
• What does economic democracy look like when envisioned through creative practice?

Exhibition Details

• Exhibition Dates: April 16 – 17, 2026
• Opening Night Exhibition: April 16, 2026
• Travel dates to Toronto, Canada: April 15 – 19, 2026
• Location: Toronto, Canada (DXC Summit)
• Artists Selected: Up to 3 solo artists; submissions from artist pairs are also eligible

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be 18–29 years old at time of submission
• Be emerging or early-career artists
• Canadian Applicants: Must hold a valid Canadian passport, Canadian visa or residence permit
• European Applicants: must hold a valid EU passport, a valid EU visa or residence permit, and must have either a valid visa to enter Canada or the right to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization
• Be eligible and available to travel to Toronto,Canada April 15 – 19 2026.
• Be able to transport artwork to Toronto (costs covered)
• Submit original work aligned with the exhibition’s themes

Applications from equity-deserving groups—including racialized artists, Indigenous artists, artists with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ artists—are strongly encouraged.

Collaborative groups may apply only if all members meet eligibility criteria.

Transform, multi-media artwork by Alicia Hrvatin (Canada) at DemocracyXChange Opening Night in 2025. Photo: Nicole In.

Compensation

Financial Support:

• €2,000 artist honorarium (~ $3,000 CAD) shared if awarded to an artist pair
• Round-trip travel for one artist to Toronto (subject to EU rules)
• Accommodation for the duration of the exhibition and Summit
• Installation and technical support, including production assistance
• Production/material budget up to €1,000 (~$1,500 CAD)
• Shipping support up to €500 (~$750 CAD)

Selection Process

Evaluations will be conducted by representatives from the European Union through its Delegation to Canada, OCAD University, and the DemocracyXChange Team, based on:

• Thematic Alignment & Ingenuity (30%)
• Artistic Quality (30%)
• Feasibility (20%)
• Public Engagement Potential (20%)

Notification of Results

• Selected artists will be notified by February 20, 2026.
• Successful applicants will enter into a contract with GOPA PACE.
• Unsuccessful applicants will be informed of the outcome by end of February 2026.

Zelenka, multi-media artwork by Kroplya (Estonia / EU) at DemocracyXChange Opening Night in 2025. Photo by: Nicole In.

Submission Requirements

• Artwork Footprint: Must fit within a 10×10 ft floor plan
• Transport Requirements: Artworks must be physically transportable via airplane
• Technical Support Provided: Power, lighting, furniture, AV support, and installation assistance

Submit a single PDF file (max 10MB) containing:

1. Name, Age, Passport Country, Contact Information
2. Short Bio(s) (150 words max each)
3. Artist Statement / Conceptual Framing (250–400 words)
4. Project Proposal (up to 1,000 words) including:
   ◦ Concept description
   ◦ Alignment with the exhibition theme
   ◦ Installation needs (within 10×10 ft footprint; list power/AV requirements)
5. Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages per artist)
6. Portfolio Samples
   ◦ Up to 5 images
   ◦ Video/audio links (max 5 minutes total)
   ◦ Include title, year, medium, role, presenter/venue
7. Budget Plan
   ◦ Production/material costs (up to €1,000)
   ◦ Shipping estimates (up to €500)
8. Confirmation of ability to travel April 16 – 18, 2026

How to Submit

Submit your application by email to eupopcanada@gopa.eu.

Submission Deadline: February 2, 2026 at 11:59pm ET

For additional information or questions, please contact: eupopcanada@gopa.eu

DemocracyXChange Summit
www.democracyxchange.org
contact@democracyxchange.org

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Accessibility:
DemocracyXChange is fully accessible. For more information, visit democracyxchange.org.