The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art is an artist-run centre located in Kelowna, BC Canada.

The Alternator presents year-round exhibitions in all media by emerging and mid-career Canadian and international artists, as well as artist talks, exchanges, panel discussions, fundraising events, publications, workshops and other events that promote an awareness of contemporary art practices.

Exhibitions and programs are selected in line with our mandate, which is available here.

The Alternator ArtMart

The ArtMart is a vending machine stocked full of items made by the local creative community. Since 2018, the Alternator has been installing this machine in locations across Kelowna as a fun and innovative way for the public to engage with art.

For this edition of the ArtMart, we are seeking submissions to fill the machine for it’s next exciting instalment! So if you have an idea for an item, we want to hear it! We encourage you to think outside the box and push the boundaries of what a vending machine can do!

Deadline for submissions: April 18 2024 (Midnight)

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • All items must be included in one PDF document titled LAST NAME_FIRST NAME.pdf submitted through our online submission form.

  • Please be sure to include your name, contact details and page numbers in your PDF and organize it in the following order:

    • A brief (approximately 50 words) artist statement/bio (This statement will be used for promotion, and will not be evaluated as part of your proposal.)

    • A brief (approximately 25 words) project description. (This statement will be used for promotion, and will not be evaluated as part of your proposal.)

    • A detailed description of the project, including information about the medium, size, price, number of works in the edition and any other information about the formal qualities of the work (Maximum 250 words.)

    • A brief statement on why you would like to exhibit your work in the ArtMart. (Maximum 250 words.)

    • Any other details or information that will help us better understand your project? (Maximum 100 words.)

    • Attach a minimum of one, and a maximum of 10 images that will help us visualize your project. This may include sketches or models of works that have yet to be produced or images of completed work(s). Please indicate which image you would like to be used as a promotional image if you are selected for this project.

FAQs

Who can submit work?

All applicants selected to exhibit work in the ArtMart must be an Alternator Member. However, if you don’t currently have a membership but would still like to submit work for consideration, that’s okay! On acceptance of your proposal, you will be prompted to complete your membership.

How do I become an Alternator Member?

You can sign up for an Alternator Membership here.

What type of work are you looking for?

Works accepted for the ArtMart will represent a variety of mediums and themes. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box! Art pieces should be unique and appeal to the public. Some examples of types of works that will be considered include (but are not limited to):

  • Printed matter, such as zines, artists’ books and pocketbooks, instructions or artist cards.

  • Items to be worn, such as various types of jewelry, temporary tattoos, buttons or pins.

  • Performative and play objects, such as finger puppets, toys or small games.

  • Sculptural objects, such as those that have been 3D printed, crafted, sewn and stitched, or formed.

  • Customized stamps, stickers, badges or other design items.

  • Original, two-dimensional art pieces that have been crafted.

Works must be made available in an edition or series. Artists are expected to provide a minimum of 20 objects. Artists are required to supply business cards to be included with their items in the ArtMart.

Do all of the works in my edition have to be identical?

In short, no! We are looking for original work, which by nature may be slightly different each time. However, each item must be the same size and have either thematic or process-based consistency.

If your works are drastically different from each other, please submit each edition/series as a separate proposal.

Are there any types of works that will not be considered?

We cannot include works in the ArtMart that:

  • contain perishable or food items;

  • are not appropriate for all ages. (The ArtMart will be in public spaces); or

  • may break when being dispensed from the vending machine.

  • Simple reproductions of art pieces are discouraged. (For instance, reprinted postcards from paintings.)

What are the selection criteria for proposals?

  • Quality of work

  • Artistic Merit

  • Workmanship

  • Diversity of works available for sale

  • Medium

  • Size

  • Price

  • Artistic context

Can I submit more than one proposal?

Yes! Each artist can submit up to three proposals.

Given the size limitations of the vending machine format, selection consideration will be weighted towards diverse sizes and price points. If you choose to submit more than one proposal, we recommend you propose works that are different sizes to allow for your best chance of success!

What size should the works be?

There are four sizes of slots available in the vending machine:

  • 6’’ wide by 2 inches deep

  • 6” wide by 1.25 inches deep

  • 3’’ wide by 1.5 inches deep

  • 3” wide by 3.5 deep

This is the maximum width and depth of the space, so objects will dispense most efficiently if they are under the dimensions listed above.

What about packaging?

The Alternator will oversee the installation of artworks to the vending machine. As part of this process, we may need to modify some presentation aspects of your works to allow them to dispense appropriately (for instance, adding a backing card). No modifications will be made that fundamentally alter the integrity of your works.

We encourage all submitting artists to consider the sustainability of packaging for their artwork and include information about it in your proposal. Staff will be available to discuss your packaging requirements on successful application to the project.

If your artwork will need to be presented in a specific way to fit inside the machine, please note in your proposal how you intend to prepare it for display: for instance, a t-shirt that may need to be rolled to fit the vending machine slot. If your work is selected and we are concerned about its ability to dispense as you have described, we will reach out to you to discuss solutions.

How much should I sell my work for?

You can price your artwork anywhere between $1.00 -$99.00.

The types of works you propose should reflect an appropriate financial return. (Don’t undervalue your work, but also keep in mind that the most popular works sold are often under $40.00.) We aim to have items of various price points available for purchase in both machines.

What works have sold the best in past editions?

Because the artworks are experienced behind glass, those that can stand out in some way tend to be most successful in the ArtMart. For instance, popular items to date have been brightly coloured or have high contrast.

Is the Alternator able to provide any support for production to artists selected to participate?

Yes, an addition to a $100 honorarium, we provide a $50 production support to artists participating in the project.

Payment will be disbursed to artists within seven days of completed work being delivered to the gallery. If you require production support prior to this time in order to create your edition, please get in touch.

What is the commission and how are the proceeds of sales distributed?

All proceeds from this edition will be split 50/50 between the artist and the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art. For example, artists will receive 50% of the sales revenue from works sold, and the galleries will receive the remaining 50%.

Artists will receive payment for sold works within three weeks after the completion of the edition.

What happens if I have works that aren’t sold?

All unsold works will be returned to the artist within three weeks of completion of the edition.

Where will the vending machines be located?

This edition of the ArtMart will be hosted inside the Rotary Centre for the Arts, just outside the Alternator’s doors.

Do I need to live in Kelowna or the Okanagan Region to participate?

No. However artists living outside of the Okanagan region will be responsible for costs related to shipping their artwork to Kelowna, as required.

What happens if my work is selected?

Successful applicants will be notified by April 23 2024.

Selected artists will be required to deliver the final edition of their works by May 25 2024.

This edition of the ArtMart will run from June 3 until September 1, 2024.

If you have any other questions about the ArtMart, the submission process, or eligibility, please contact us.