KAMLOOPS ARTS COUNCIL
Galleries & Exhibitions
KAC Galleries
Year-round exhibitions | Main Gallery – Hallway Gallery – Alcove – Vault
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm
The Kamloops Arts Council’s Main, Hallway, Alcove and Vault Galleries are a non-curated, open exhibition space for community artists and arts groups. Located in the Old Courthouse Cultural Centre the Galleries host 2D and 3D exhibitions on a rotating basis, totaling around 10 to 12 exhibitions per year.
As of 2023, all galleries are CLOSED IN JULY AND AUGUST.
How does it work?
Member artists submit an exhibition request form to the KAC. Exhibitions are not curated – space is made available to each artist who applies on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: most requests are made a year in advance, and waiting times can be up to two years.
*NO BOOKING ACCEPTED FOR JULY AND AUGUST as of 2023.
A KAC representative assists the artist with preparing for and installing their show. Artists are
expected to do the publicity for their exhibition and may host an opening reception and/or artist’s talk with the KAC’s support. KAC will advertise the exhibition through their media and social media as well. They will post artwork from the exhibition for purchase on their website, should the artist agree. The Gallery is open 5 days a week, and admission to the gallery is by donation.
Who participates?
We are proud to say that our Galleries host all levels of artists, from emerging / beginner to
established. The Galleries also hosts exhibitions by a number of arts and community groups; in the past, that has included the Fibre Art Network, Kamloops Photo Arts Club, Artisans of Options & Opportunities, the Thompson Valley Potters’ Guild, the Artists’ Studio, Sisters Allied Against Violence (YWCA), Phoenix Centre, and many others.
What are the benefits?
For artists, finding exhibition space can be extremely challenging – especially for those just
starting out. The KAC offers an opportunity for artists to get exposure and build their CVs while gaining experience on what it takes to install a show. The Galleries also provides the general public with a free opportunity to see all kinds of artwork by local artists which helps to enrich and connect our community.
Interested in booking an visual arts exhibition?
- Request a gallery exhibition for yourself or your arts group by submitting the Application Form
- Learn more about Hanging requirements
- Check out the Tips, Tricks & Checklist for Exhibiting in the KAC Galleries 2020
- View the KAC Galleries Floor Plans
Interested in sponsoring an exhibition?
Please contact Tanya Nielsen, KAC executive director by email or at 250.372.7323.
Main Gallery
Alcove Gallery
The Vault
Hallway Gallery
Literary Artist Program
We are now housing and promoting Literary works for sale at the Kamloops Arts Council.
If you are a member of KAC, and have a book that you have published we will be happy to promote and sell your work online and from our bookshelf.
The terms include a one-year contract at a 30% commission. This allows you to display up to a maximum of 25 books on our bookshelf. This also includes up to 5 different titles in case you have more than one publication, as long as you remain within the 25-book limit. You will have the option of updating publications (adding or subtracting) and replacing sold books anytime during your contract as long as there is sufficient notice.
Art in Public Spaces
Kamloops Businesses | Year-round exhibitions
Art in Public Spaces provides local businesses and organizations with fresh artwork on a rotating basis. Paintings, photography and other works by local artists are displayed where Kamloops citizens and tourists congregate — places such as health care and transportation centres, reception areas and hotel lobbies. Like similar programs in Victoria and Kelowna, Art in Public Spaces makes the Kamloops community more vibrant, showcases our local talent, enhances cultural tourism, activates public spaces, creates economic development and even promotes health and healing.
Artworks are currently featured at the Kamloops Airport, Sagebrush Theatre, TNRD Library (Downtown, and Northshore Locations), and at KAC galleries in the Old Courthouse Cultural Center.
Artist Submissions
For our artists looking to display with the program please click the button for the guidelines and submission form.
Business Request Form
Want to feature local art within your business? Fill out the business request form below.
Here’s your chance to purchase the art on display!
Art Exposed
Juried Art Show | March 2025
Now over 10 years old, the Kamloops Arts Council’s Art Exposed Regional Exhibition is a community-centred visual arts exhibit. Unique to Kamloops. Art Exposed is open to all residents of the TNRD, emerging to established. Artists are invited to submit artwork in any medium – 2D and 3D.
How does it work?
Art Exposed gives the public a chance to view local artwork of many different types, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, photography and more. Community artists submit up to two original works of art each. All submitted works are displayed at the Old Courthouse for the duration of the exhibit. Every space of the Old Courthouse is filled with art: the past few years up to 200 pieces are accepted from approximately 120 artists from the TNRD, with a significant number of works selling each year. At a well-attended opening night reception, a team of three respected arts authorities awards prizes and honourable mentions. The next day, artists who signed up for critique will receive feedback on their work from the jurors.
Who participates?
Regional artists – including youth and senior, formally trained and self-taught – working in all mediums and at all levels. Art Exposed also gives the public a chance to view local artwork of many different types, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, photography and more. Admission to the exhibit for the public is by donation.
What are the benefits?
Art Exposed’s non-curated approach ensures that everyone — from beginning artists to established, and from youth to senior — can participate. For some, it will be the first time they publicly display their work. The emphasis is not on competition; Art Exposed offers community artists a chance to share their work in a professional setting, gain exposure and receive valuable feedback, taking their careers to the next level.
Art Exposed Artist Awards
There will be cash prizes for the following categories:
- Emerging Artist: 1st prize, 2D | 2nd prize, 2D
- Emerging Artist: 1st prize, 3D | 2nd prize, 3D
- Established Artist: 1st prize, 2D | 2nd prize, 2D
- Established Artist: 1st prize, 3D | 2nd prize, 3D
- Youth Artist: Best in Show
- People’s Choice Award
- Artists’ Choice Award
Interested in sponsoring this exciting exhibition?
Please contact Tanya Nielsen, KAC Executive Director at [email protected] or 250-372-7323
Interested in jurying Art Exposed? Jurors can offer gentle advice from a professional, and varied point of view that the artist may not have considered before to help them to grow and expand as an artist. For more information, and juror guidelines, click the button below.
SMALL//works
A Great Big Teeny Tiny Art Show | December 2024
This exhibition has a grand variety of small, one of-a-kind original artworks. Support local artists and the Kamloops Arts Council with your purchases all priced under $300 with most priced below $100. This is the perfect time for gift givers and art collectors to find fun, affordable artwork….. just in time for the holiday season!
WHAT IS IT?
Come and be part of the this great “little” art show. The SMALL//works fundraiser is a fabulous opportunity to show your work and support the Kamloops Arts Council! This exhibition is comprised of small, one of a kind, original artworks and is the perfect time for gift givers and art collectors to find fun, affordable artwork just in time for the holiday season. Unlike other fundraisers where artists are asked to donate their work, we want to share proceeds of sales with the artists, 50% to artist and 50% to KAC. Artists are ask to submit smaller sized artwork, following a sizing guide, which will create an exciting and affordable Christmas shopping experience.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Artists are invited to contribute up to 10 pieces of art. There are around 300 pieces of art that gets put up on the walls of the KAC Galleries, at the Old Courthouse. Once open, (the community) visitors are able to purchase art right off the wall and walk away with their purchases then and there. This means there is a frenzy of people coming in early to get the perfect piece for them. Rest assured we will have a system in place to limit the number of people in the galleries at one time in accordance with BC’s Health directive. This event is great for artists to show their work and make sales during the holiday season
WHO PARTICIPATES?
Various community members come to see what art is available. The art is made by local artists who are members of the Kamloops Arts Council.
HOW DOES IT BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY?
Buying local promotes a healthy economy, and the holidays are one of the largest consumer times of the year. The community is able to come together and purchase gifts for their loved ones from local artists, supporting the Kamloops Arts Council at the same time.
WANT TO SPONSOR SMALL // works 2024?
Your sponsorship would result in promoting the community to purchase local art. As well as allowing the Kamloops Arts Council the resources needed to put on this large show with hundreds of pieces of art which needs to be put on the walls, taken down when sold, and replaced.
We would be pleased to have you come on as a sponsor of SMALL//works. Benefits for becoming a sponsor may include: Logo on the posters and/or the galleries, Recognition on KAC website and on all press releases (print, radio &TV), Verbal recognition at the opening, Recognition at and invites to KAC Volunteer and Sponsor Appreciation event/AGM, Mentions on Kamloops Arts Council social media.
We would be pleased to discuss this opportunity with you further!
For more information contact Executive Director Tanya Nielsen by email at [email protected] or by phone at 250.372.7323
