EXPOSURE 2026
North West Showcase
Formerly the “Emerging Photographers Showcase”, the North West Showcase places a spotlight on emerging photographic talent across Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Through this open call, Exposure seeks to nurture unique perspectives and create exhibition opportunities close to home.
JUROR’S STATEMENT BY RACHEL WINE
It was an exciting year to judge the North West Showcase category with a host of strong submissions. I had the privilege of witnessing some of the most varied and imaginative explorations of the medium I’ve seen in recent years, proving that there is much to look forward to from the next generation of photographers.
Stories of immigration were powerfully shared, both from the photographers' perspectives and from those of the subjects they portrayed, using the camera as a means of connection and an entry point into new physical and emotional territory. Personal narratives were also explored through visual representations of the artists’ inner worlds and lived experiences. Furthermore, the traditional idea of “photography” was challenged throughout many submissions, as entrants pushed the boundaries of the medium, often integrating digital technologies and experimental approaches to expand its possibilities.
It was a privilege to engage with work from the next generation of photographers, and I look forward to following along on their next chapter.
Rachel Wine is currently the Director of Photography for Maclean’s magazine and on the executive board of Gallery TPW. She has held positions at The Globe and Mail, Toronto Life, and enRoute Magazine. She is an independent curator and cultural producer working at the intersection of public space, art, and photography. She actively writes and lectures on photography and art.
SELECTED ARTISTS
SAVE THE DATE
Exhibition & Festival Opening: Thursday, February 5, 2026
Hosted in partnership with Contemporary Calgary as part of their Free First Thursdays event series.
Image by Lana Collins, Exposure Emerging Photographer of the Year, 2025.
SELECTED ARTISTS WILL:
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The North West Showcase exhibition will open on February 5th and run through March 5th, 2026 at Contemporary Calgary.
Contemporary Calgary provides the city and its visitors with a significant visual arts destination dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Since 2020, Contemporary Calgary has hosted Exposure’s open call exhibitions, as well as a solo exhibition featuring the previous festival’s Emerging Photographer of the Year.Admission to the Exposure exhibitions is free and open to the public during regular gallery hours.
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This fee (paid in CAD) is calculated according to CARFAC guidelines, which account for Exposure’s annual operating budget and the nature of the exhibition venue.
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Exhibiting artists will receive a $150 Production Expense Allocation and a 40% discount with ABL Imaging Group, to cover or support the cost of printing work for the exhibition. Material decisions regarding mounting or framing will be made collaboratively between Exposure’s curatorial team and each individual artist.
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Selected images from each exhibiting artist will be included in a public exhibition, displayed on Pattison Outdoor digital billboards located in Calgary.
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Previous press has included British Journal of Photography, AnOther Magazine, PhMuseum, Avenue Magazine, NEXT Magazine, MUSÉE Vanguard of Photography Culture, and more!
Each exhibiting artist will have their name and website featured on Exposure’s website as part of an artist profile, in addition to social media spotlights and potential print promotions.
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The recipient of this prestigious award is given the opportunity to present a solo show at the following year’s Exposure Photography Festival. The award provides the emerging artist with a platform to show their work while furthering their professional practice and building their career within photography.
HOW TO APPLY
We announce our Open Call competitions in late-summer each year. Read more on the process below, as it was advertised in 2025:
PREPARE YOUR WORK
Choose at least 8 images from a strong, connected series and write a short statement about your project. We recommend submitting one complete body of work per entry. (You’re welcome to submit more than one, with a fee for each.)
Images can be shot in any format, using any camera, and may include collage or experimental approaches. We welcome all creative practices that explore, expand, or challenge photography. Not sure if your work fits? Reach out to Festival Manager, Emma Palm.
REVIEW THE FINE PRINT
By submitting, you’re giving Exposure permission to share your images for festival promotion—this may include our website, newsletters, press, and social media. We never take ownership of your copyright; your work remains yours. You’re simply granting us the right to display and promote it in connection with the festival now and in the future.
Please make sure you hold the rights to your images (or have permission from the copyright owner and any necessary model releases).
SUBMIT YOUR FORM & FEE
The submission fee for up to ten images is $35 CAD. Additional images may be submitted for $5 each, up to fifteen images total. Fees may be waived for economic hardship. Please see below for details.
Each image file can be a maximum of 5MB in size. All images must be submitted as JPEGs. The file name of your image must begin with the sequence number for the image, followed by your last name. For example:
Artist name: John Smith
Image filename: 01_Smith.jpeg
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
HOW WILL YOUR SUBMISSION BE JUDGED?
Our jurors are given an open mandate to select the work they feel is most compelling, relevant, and exhibition-worthy. There is no single theme or style that we are looking for. Instead, jurors will consider:
The overall impact of the work – including creativity, originality, and clarity of vision.
Artistic Strength
How the work speaks to contemporary ideas, experiences, or ways of seeing the world.
Relevance & Resonance
How well the work would engage audiences in a public exhibition context.
Exhibition Potential
The selection process values a range of perspectives, practices, and approaches to photography.
Diversity of Voices
ELIGIBILITY
The North West Showcase is limited to emerging artists who reside in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.
Exposure defines “emerging artist” as someone who is in the early stages of publicly presenting or publishing their creative work. Emerging artists are actively developing their artistic voice and practice, and are beginning to build connections with audiences, peers, and communities. This definition does not rely on age, formal education, or traditional career milestones, but instead recognizes the wide variety of ways that artists come to and grow within their practice.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
We believe the most exciting work comes from a wide range of voices and experiences. We warmly encourage submissions from underrepresented and equity-deserving communities, and celebrate diverse perspectives. In an effort to reduce barriers to entry, Exposure has undertaken the following initiatives:
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Ten fee waivers will be made available as we pilot this initiative to support artists facing economic hardship. If present financial circumstances inhibit your ability to apply to Exposure’s open calls, please use this form to request a Fee Waiver.
Fee Waivers will be awarded on a ‘first come, first served’ basis to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Artists will be notified of their application status within 48 hours of submission.
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Each year, Alberta’s Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI) submits five free applications on behalf of their members, to be considered by our juror.
Established in January 2019, ICAI is committed to advancing the careers of immigrant and newcomer arts professionals. Functioning as a pivotal resource for networking and opportunities, ICAI facilitates a smooth transition for immigrant and newcomer arts professionals, nurturing their ongoing professional development in Alberta.
TIMELINE
11:59pm, October 6th, 2025
OPEN CALL DEADLINE
October 31st, 2025
NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
December, 2025
PRINT DEADLINE
Late January, 2026
EXHIBITION INSTALL
February 5th - March 5th, 2026
EXHIBITION OPEN
EXPOSURE 2026 NORTH WEST SHOWCASE SUPPORTERS
