Art Reaches Manitoba (ARM)
Formerly the Visual Arts Touring Exhibition Program
The Manitoba Arts Network (MBArtsNet) invites artists and curators to submit exhibition proposals for Art Reaches Manitoba (ARM), our provincial visual arts touring program. Formerly known as the Visual Arts Touring Exhibition Program, ARM continues our long-standing commitment to connecting artists with communities across rural and Northern Manitoba.
ARM supports our member communities in presenting visual art exhibitions that are relational, representative, diverse, and accessible, and that reflect the experiences of rural and Northern Manitobans. Selected exhibitions travel to multiple host venues, helping artists reach new audiences while bringing high-quality visual art to communities that may have limited access to gallery programming.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
MBArtsNet compensates artists with a basic exhibition fee for each month a touring exhibition is booked. When funding is secured, artist fees are paid at approved CARFAC rates. MBArtsNet also covers the costs of professional crating, shipping, and insurance while on tour.
Assessment Criteria
Artistic Merit
- Does the exhibition demonstrate innovation, experimentation, or a unique approach?
- Do the visual materials show strong use of elements such as colour, light, space, and composition?
Overall Quality & Professionalism
- Is the exhibition skillfully produced and thoughtfully planned?
- Does the exhibition meet a high standard of presentation and professionalism?
Concept, Intent & Inherent Meaning
- Is the overall concept cohesive and consistent across the body of work?
- Is the theme clearly articulated in the proposal and support materials?
- Does the exhibition make a clear statement or show strong creative direction?
- Does the work have the potential to evoke feeling, mood, or emotion?
- Does the exhibition tell a story or invite viewers into a narrative?
- Does the work make use of symbolic imagery or metaphor?
- Does the exhibition show strong conceptual insight?
- Is the artist’s intent clearly communicated?
Suitability for Touring
- Can the exhibition withstand packing, transport, and unpacking as it tours?
- Can the work fit into one or two crates that can pass through a standard doorway?
- Do individual works stay within the size limit of 26" × 36"?
- Does the total running footage of the exhibition stay within 75 feet?
- Is there flexibility to offer both full-size and reduced-size versions of the exhibition?
- Can the exhibition be displayed in both traditional gallery spaces and non-traditional community spaces?
- Can the exhibition be safely handled and installed by staff or volunteers who may not be professionally trained?
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Manitoba Arts Network encourages applications from artists who identify as Indigenous, Métis, Inuit, Black, or People of Colour, artists with disabilities, and artists from the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
- Emphasis will be placed on representation from these communities in the selection process.
- What is the artist's relationship to the culture and/or communities represented in their project?
- If the project involves communities, cultures, or cultural practices outside of their own community or culture, how have they demonstrated approaching the subject matter with cultural integrity?
Audience Engagement
- Does the exhibition include or allow for artist talks, presentations, workshops, or other engagement activities?
- Are there interactive or participatory components for visitors of different ages?
- Is there potential for connections to school curriculum areas such as fine arts, language arts, social studies, or history?
Appeal & Significance for Rural & Northern Audiences
- Will the exhibition speak to and resonate with rural and Northern audiences?
- Can visitors see their experiences, concerns, or interests reflected in the work?
- Does the exhibition offer something unique that is not typically available in rural and Northern communities?
- Does the exhibition balance local relevance with new perspectives or ideas?