Friendship through Culture (2026) / 文化がわかる。心がかよう。 (2026)
JCCC Community Arts Exhibition
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre invites artists, makers, and community members to participate in our 2026 community arts exhibition, Friendship through Culture (2026).
This year’s exhibition explores the evolving meanings of a phrase that has long shaped Japanese Canadian cultural life. What first emerged as a gentle expression of survival and resilience in the face of discrimination has shifted over time into an open, if complex, practice of belonging. Today, “friendship through culture (2026)” carries multiple potential interpretations - diasporic, generational, newly arrived, hybrid - and asks us how culture can both preserve memory and create new ways of living together.
We welcome submissions in all media (painting, photography, textiles, sculpture, installation, video, digital works, craft, etc.). Works may be offered for sale through a consignment agreement.
To submit, please fill out the following: Google Form
If you are having issues with the form, please contact gallery@jccc.on.ca
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Submission deadline: January 9 2026, 11:59pm
* Absolutely no late submissions will be accepted.
- Notice of submission status: By January 23, 2026
- Artwork intake: February 21 2026 between 10:00am and 12:00pm (general intake).
* Arrangements can be made to drop work off at the JCCC in advance of February 21. Work not dropped off by the
intake day will not be hung.
- Show dates: March 1 – May 29, 2026
- Opening Reception: March 1, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
- Artist talk: TBD
- Deinstallation and pick up: TBD
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- While this is an open, non-juried exhibition, the Art Committee reserves the right to refuse works that are unsafe,
discriminatory, or otherwise unsuitable for display in the JCCC gallery.
- While we make every effort to accommodate all submissions, gallery space is limited, and not all submissions may be
accepted.
- Artists may submit up to 3 pieces that fit the criteria. The Arts Committee may select any number of your
submissions to be included in the show.
- Chosen work must be submitted to the gallery in condition ready for hanging.
- Please fill out the Google Form here: by January 9, 2026 at 11:59pm. Absolutely no late submissions will be accepted.
- If works are for sale, the JCCC takes a 25% commission via a consignment agreement.