Image credit: Sam Baardman

Changing Cryospheres: Call for Art

Submit your work to the Virtual Water Gallery’s new collection exploring glaciers, ice, and transformation.

In recognition of the UN International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP; 2025), the Virtual Water Gallery and Canada IYGP have opened an online gallery to exhibit art that explores the inspiration, imagination, (lived) reality, and values connected to glaciers, mountains, snow, and ice - including the changes and impacts unfolding across these shifting landscapes.

Submit Art

Eligibility

  • All forms of art are welcome, including painting, sculpture, photography, music, performance, poetry, and more.

  • Single artworks or collections are eligible for submission.

  • Artworks must have a connection to the cryosphere (e.g., glaciers, snow, ice, and permafrost).

  • Each submission must include a scientific component that links the artwork to relevant research, concepts, observations, or knowledge—this can be provided through an accompanying description or explanation

    • You can request to be connected with an expert to help develop the scientific description through the submission form.

Inclusivity / AI Statement: Art pieces must not perpetuate hate or discriminatory bias (e.g., cultural, racial). Content must be accessible and appropriate for all ages. If AI was used in generating the art in any way, the description of the piece must include a clear statement on how it was used. AI must be used thoughtfully, ethically, and responsibly and never using copyrighted works.

Submissions

Submit your artwork(s) for consideration using the online form here.

You will be asked to provide contact details, description of artwork(s), and the connection to scientific themes, along with an image of the artwork(s) for internal review.

Review Process

Submissions will be reviewed by two representatives from partner organizations of the Glacier Year in Canada. Each submission will be assessed based on:

  • Quality of the artwork

  • Appropriateness of the piece, including adherence to the Inclusivity and AI Statement

  • Connection to scientific themes and relevance to glaciers, snow, ice, or permafrost

  • Clarity and accuracy of the science description (artists may be connected with a scientist to help develop this text, if helpful)

Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis. However, applications will be sent out for review monthly. As such, artists can expect to receive a response no later than six weeks post submission.

Successful Submissions

Accepted artworks will be exhibited on the Virtual Water Gallery website. Upon acceptance, artists will be provided with an upload link, and works will be published within four weeks of file submission.

Submit Art

For further information, or to discuss an art piece prior to submission, contact glacieryearcanada@gmail.com.