Topic: The Gathering Divergence Multi-Arts Festival & Conference SPRING 2026 | Now and for the Future: Steps Towards Dismantling Inequities in the Arts

When and Where:
May 2026
Online / In-Person events
Location TBA (Toronto)

The Gathering Divergence Interdisciplinary Festival & Conference is a festival and conference with a specific focus on Indigenous, racialized, deaf, disabled and mad, women and other historically – marginalized arts communities. Held over 2 days, GDMAF/C features performances, literary readings, visual arts exhibition, panels, workshops and creative investigations from diverse practices.

We facilitate

• an interactive space where arts organizations artists and attendees share
• dedicated to advancing, visual arts and performing arts , while advocating for pluralism in the arts
• dialogue on common interests, experienced and strategies towards a better more equitable and inclusive arts sector

We believe
and encourage change can achieved through collective, creative action, and seeks to:

• create, support and learn through open-source resources and toolkits
• advance strategies to understand how we are influenced by issues of equity and digital technology in and out of
• amplify the artistic practices and administration of IBPOC individuals

We aspire? We hope that everyone arrives at a better understanding of the many ways in which we support, create from and within the Arts sector as indigenous / ethno-racially identified artists with a pluralist lens.

APPLY NOW! Deadline: April 3, 2026

What we offer:

An Opportunity to:

• Display your art
• Showcase your performing / performance arts pieces (NO more than fifteen minutes in length)
• Facilitate a workshop / professional development opportunity to arts workers, attendees or artists

Required for consideration:
Explanation of how your proposed work relates to the Conference / Festival through the following:

• Broadening capacities for IBPOC Arts makers
• Implementing creative processes for the future
• Advance Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Learning
• Professional Development for IBPOC Artists and Arts Organizations

Successful submissions will:

– AMPLIFY works where contributors / artists or those self identify as IBPOC
– SUPPORT works by Black / IPOC artists and Organizations
– INCLUDE Artist / Organization Website URL, Social Media Info, Biography (150 words)
– SUBMIT Headshot / Company Image / Bio Image 300 dpi
– ADD links to previous work(s) or work proposed.

For Visual Artist

• PROVIDE Size, medium, title
• INCLUDE installation requirements
• UPLOAD 3-5 High Res JPEGS of work complied in a PDF Document
• SUBMIT 300 Word Artist Statement
• ADD 300 Word Explanation on how your work applies to the CPAMO Call for Submissions

For Performances or Workshops

• INCLUDE Set up and installation requirements
• SHARE Estimated time for set up and striking
• INDICATE Whether assistance is needed or included
• ADD 300 Word Explanation on how your work applies to the CPAMO Call for Submissions

Compensation Range varies:

– Dance / Theatre / Music Honorariums between $750 – $2000
  (based on the number of artists)
– Literary Readings between $500 – $700
– Workshops $500 (1 hour maximum)
– Visual arts* between $500 – $700 (for week’s showing)
  * CARFAC fees according to “Exhibitions in Other Public Places”

Selection Process:
Administered by a Selection Committee: CPAMO Board member(s), Co-Director/Curator of Programming and Engagement, Convenor/Co-Director Curator of Transformational Change, and Pluralism in Organizational Change (CPAMOPOC) participants.

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE: CPAMO operates in a Cloud-based platform. Documents MUST be submitted via (Google Drive, Box, One Drive, Dropbox etc.) and the link should not require permission for the Selection Committee to view.

Please make sure all submitted links are functional and include accessible links to a headshot and your support materials. Personal links from your computer / laptop should not be sent. Please upload all required.

QUESTIONS?

Contact: Kevin A. Ormsby programming [at] cpamo.org

If require accessibility accommodations please email programming [at] cpamo.org

Applicants will be notified by April 17, 2026

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