In Celebration of Artitute’s 16th Anniversary
To mark 16 years of advocating for contemporary arts and fostering creative communities in Singapore, ARTITUTE is proud to announce its inaugural juried exhibition, Cancel Culture – A Juried Exhibition about what we choose to erase, overlook and remember. Launching this November at Tanjong Pagar Distripark in Singapore, this milestone exhibition serves as a critical platform for visual dialogue, reflection, and community engagement.
About The Exhibition
ARTITUTE invites contemporary artists to explore and deconstruct the concept of “Cancel Culture” far beyond its contemporary social media definition. We welcome artistic investigations into the mechanics of societal erasure. Examining what is systemically overlooked, silenced, forgotten, or intentionally excluded from public consciousness. Through diverse contemporary media, this exhibition aims to ignite vital conversations surrounding identity, cultural memory, historical representation, and the friction between the dominant and marginalized narratives that shape our collective world.
Key Exhibition Parameters
- Open Call Launch: Jul 13, 2026
- Submission Deadline: Sep 11, 2026, 11:59PM SGT
- Curatorial & Jury Review Period: Sep 12, 2026–Sep 25, 2026
- Artist Notification & Results: Oct 02, 2026
- Artwork Delivery Window: Nov 09, 2026–Nov 13, 2026
- Exhibition Setup: Nov 17/18, 2026
- Exhibition Duration: Nov 19, 2026 2026–Dec 02, 2026
- Exhibition Venue: Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore
- Selection Cap: A maximum of 40 participating entries will be selected for the final exhibition layout.
- Supported Mediums: Open to all contemporary art practices, including painting, sculpture, photography, digital media, video art, installation, and mixed media (subject to venue space limitations).
The 2026 Curatorial Jury Panel
To ensure a rigorous, multi-perspective selection process, ARTITUTE has assembled an esteemed panel of external jurors comprising prominent practicing artists, educators, researchers, and gallery leadership:
- Suzanna Low, ARTITUTE: Driving the vision for this inaugural showcase, Suzanna brings over a decade of dedication to documenting, advocating, and building communities within the Singaporean contemporary art landscape.
- Chow and Lin: Renowned for their collaborative, research-driven contemporary practice, Chow and Lin create typographic, photographic, and statistical installations that challenge global social, economic, and political narratives.
- Adeline Kueh & Hazel Lim, Artists, Critical Craft Collective: As artists, educators, and co-founders of the Critical Craft Collective Singapore, Adeline and Hazel bring deep expertise in material culture, site-specific installations, and the reclamation of overlooked or domestic histories.
- Priscilla Quek, Gallery Manager, Whitestone Gallery Singapore: Bringing vital commercial and institutional insights, Priscilla steers curation and gallery management within the international contemporary art landscape, bridging regional talent with broader markets.
Application Terms
ARTITUTE has structured this open call to ensure administrative viability while maintaining an accessible pathway for selected artists by eliminating post-selection participation fees:
- Administrative Submission Fee: SG$50 flat fee per artist (covers the administrative and curatorial jury review for up to 3 distinct artwork entries; non-refundable).
- Exhibition Participation Fee: SG$0. There are no additional hanging, utility, or staging fees for selected artists.
- Gallery Commission: ARTITUTE will retain a 30% commission on the retail sale price of any artwork sold during the physical exhibition period, or within six (6) months post-exhibition resulting from inquiries, online showcases, or leads generated directly through ARTITUTE. Artworks not for acquisition must be clearly designated as NFS (Not For Sale).
Submission Checklist
Before proceeding to the application portal, please ensure you have prepared the following assets:
- Artist Biography & Profile: A brief biography (max 250 words) alongside relevant portfolio links.
- Artwork Documentation: High-resolution images (max 1MB per file; JPEG/PNG format) for up to 3 artworks. Each entry requires a Main View image/video and an Alternate/Detail View image/video.
- Conceptual Alignment: A short statement (max 150 words per piece) outlining how the artwork navigates the themes of erasure, memory, or omission.
- Payment Verification: Proof of fee clearance via PayNow (SG$50) or PayPal/Credit Card (SG$55 inclusive of processing fees) to be attached via the application form.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About the Open Call
1. What is “Cancel Culture” about?
“Cancel Culture” is a juried exhibition exploring what we choose to erase, overlook, reject, silence, or remember. The exhibition invites artists to reflect on ideas surrounding identity, memory, history, social values, cultural narratives, accountability, and the stories that are often excluded or forgotten.
2. Who can participate in this Open Call?
The Open Call is open to all visual artists, including emerging, mid-career, and established artists.
3. Is this Open Call only open to Singapore-based artists?
No. The Open Call welcomes submissions from both Singapore-based and overseas artists.
4. Do I need to be a professional artist to submit?
No. We welcome submissions from artists at different stages of their creative journey.
Artwork Submission
5. What mediums are accepted?
We welcome all forms of creative expression and encourage artists to explore experimental and unconventional mediums.
Submissions may include, but are not limited to, painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital media, video art, installation, mixed media, poetry, performance art, or combinations of different disciplines.
Artists are encouraged to think creatively about how their ideas can be represented through materials and formats. Organic materials such as food are not accepted due to preservation and exhibition considerations. However, materials such as wood and dried plants are welcome.
6. How many artworks can I submit?
Each artist may submit up to 3 artworks.
The 3 artworks can be presented as individual pieces, a triptych, a series, a set, or works that are connected through a common concept or narrative. Please ensure your submission clearly explains the relationship between the works if they are intended to be viewed together.
7. Can I submit artwork that has been exhibited before?
Yes. Previously exhibited works are accepted, as long as the artwork is available during the exhibition period.
8. Can I submit artwork that is currently for sale?
Yes. Artists may indicate whether their artwork is available for sale or Not For Sale (NFS).
9. Does my artwork need to directly represent the phrase “Cancel Culture”?
No. Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme through their own creative concepts, stories, experiences, or representations.
The artwork does not need to literally depict “cancel culture”. We welcome different perspectives and interpretations relating to ideas of erasure, memory, identity, censorship, overlooked histories, cultural narratives, or personal experiences.
10. Can I submit more than one artwork from a series?
Yes, provided each artwork is clearly identified and the relationship between the works is explained.
Application Process
11. How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted through the official online application form.
12. What materials do I need to prepare?
Applicants should prepare:
- Artist biography
- Artist statement/concept statement
- Artwork images or documentation
- Artwork details (title, medium, size, year created)
- Any relevant supporting information
13. Is there an application fee?
Yes. A non-refundable submission fee applies per artist application. This covers administrative processing and the jury review process.
14. Will the submission fee be refunded if my artwork is not selected?
No. The submission fee is non-refundable as it covers the review and administrative process.
Selection Process
15. Who will select the artworks?
All submissions will be reviewed by an independent jury panel comprising artists, educators, curators, and art professionals.
16. How are artworks selected?
Selections are based on creativity, originality, interpretation of the theme, and how effectively the artwork communicates its ideas.
The jury welcomes diverse perspectives and encourages artists to present thoughtful, meaningful, and engaging responses to the theme.
17. Will every artist who applies be selected?
No. As this is a juried exhibition, only selected artworks will be included in the final exhibition.
18. When will artists be informed of the results?
Artists will be notified according to the published timeline.
Exhibition Details
19. Where and when will the exhibition take place?
The exhibition will be held at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore, from November to December 2026.
20. How many artworks will be selected?
Selected artworks will be presented as part of the final exhibition.
21. Is there an exhibition participation fee if selected?
No. Selected artists will not be required to pay an additional exhibition participation fee.
22. Will ARTITUTE provide installation support?
Yes. The organiser will provide installation support and guidance to selected artists. Artists will be advised on artwork requirements, preparation, and installation arrangements.
Artwork Delivery & Logistics
23. Who is responsible for artwork delivery and collection?
Selected artists are responsible for the delivery and collection of their artworks.
24. Does ARTITUTE cover shipping or transportation costs?
No. Artists are responsible for all delivery, transportation, and related costs.
25. What happens if my artwork is damaged during transportation?
ARTITUTE is not responsible for any damage that occurs during artwork transportation or delivery.
Artists will be informed if an artwork arrives damaged. Artists are responsible for arranging their own delivery and transportation insurance if required.
Artwork Sales
26. Can I sell my artwork during the exhibition?
Yes. Artists may indicate whether their artworks are available for sale.
27. What commission does ARTITUTE take on artwork sales?
ARTITUTE retains a commission on artwork sales made during the exhibition period.
28. Who handles payment and transaction arrangements?
ARTITUTE will facilitate the sales process and coordinate payment arrangements between the artist and buyer.
Copyright & Usage
29. Do artists retain copyright ownership of their artwork?
Yes. Artists retain full copyright ownership of their works.
30. Can ARTITUTE use images of submitted artworks for promotion?
By submitting an application, artists grant ARTITUTE permission to use artwork images and artist information for exhibition promotion, marketing, documentation, and archival purposes.
Other Questions
31. Can I update my submission after submitting?
Yes. Artists may update their submission by resubmitting their entry form and informing ARTITUTE via WhatsApp using the contact number provided after submission.
No additional fees will be required, provided the submitted artworks remain unchanged.
32. Can I withdraw my artwork after being selected?
No. Selected artists are expected to commit to participating in the exhibition.
33. Who can I contact if I have questions about my application?
You may contact ARTITUTE by sending us a message through our Instagram or LinkedIn pages.
34. Can students apply?
Yes. The Open Call welcomes submissions from students, emerging artists, and artists at all stages of their creative journey.
35. Can artists submit collaborative works or collective projects?
Yes. Collaborative works and collective projects are welcome. Please ensure that all participating artists are clearly credited in the application submission.
36. Can AI-generated works be submitted?
Yes. AI-generated artworks and works incorporating artificial intelligence are welcome.
Artists must clearly indicate the use of AI tools or processes in their application form and provide relevant information about their creative process and concept behind the work.
37. Are there any size limitations for artworks?
There are no minimum or maximum size limitations for artworks.
Artists are encouraged to think creatively and propose works of different scales. However, artists must ensure that they are able to deliver the artwork and that the work is feasible for installation within the exhibition space.
