MEMBER RESOURCES
How to prepare, photograph and deliver your work — and where to find everything your membership includes.
How to prepare and deliver your work, what we publish, where to find your benefits, and how to plan your submissions for the year.
If you are new to exhibiting with the FCA, start with the gallery rules below — most declined images and most delivery charges trace back to something on this page.
Getting your work into the gallery
The practical rules for photographing and preparing artwork before it reaches us.
Image requirements
JPEG only — other formats will not be converted for you. Minimum 1500 pixels on the longest side at 300 ppi, 2000 recommended. Minimum 24-bit colour, maximum 24MB. Crop so only the artwork shows, with no frame, border or background, and keep colour true to the original.
Preparing work for hanging
All artwork must be wired with d-hooks and plastic-coated wire. No string, no plastic line, and please no eye hooks — they damage other paintings in storage and mark the walls. The gallery replaces unsuitable hardware and charges $20 per piece, rising to $30 after three infractions.
Delivery, collection and standards
Dropping off and collecting
Deliveries are accepted during gallery hours; returns happen Wednesday to Friday only. Every piece must arrive with a signed contract affixed to the back — that is your contract with the gallery. Collect on or after the Thursday following the final day of the exhibition, and confirm by email if someone is coming on your behalf.
Copyright and Federation standards
Using photographs as reference is accepted practice, but substantive use of stock imagery or professional photographers’ work is not permitted, even with permission. Reference photos must be your own or an amateur’s with express consent. Artwork made in courses and workshops is not eligible for juried exhibitions or status portfolios.
Where to find everything else
The rest of your membership, one click away.
Your member badge and directory listing
Exhibiting status unlocks a listing in the member directory, and the letters that come with Elected status — AFCA or SFCA — travel with your name wherever your work is shown.
Member discounts
Partner offers on art supplies, framing, shipping and grants software. View discounts
Art Avenue magazine
The FCA membership magazine, four issues a year, digital copy included with membership. Read Art Avenue
Gallery store
Exhibition catalogues, the official Federation art calendar and selected books. Visit the store
Studio and venue rental
Studios on Granville Island by the month, plus a classroom available daily. See rentals
Planning your year
Submission calendar
Plan your entries for the year. Ordered by submission deadline, not exhibition date. Open the calendar
Open calls
Every exhibition currently accepting entries, with deadlines and eligibility. See open calls
Juror Orientation Manual
How FCA jurying actually works — useful whether you are submitting or jurying. Read the manual
Membership levels
Supporting, Exhibiting and Elected status — what each one costs and unlocks. Compare membership
For chapter executives
If you sit on a chapter board, the chapter resources page covers what needs to be shared with the Federation office and when — affiliate lists, board member changes, chapter news for Art Avenue, and registering qualifying shows.
What it costs to get it wrong
$20Per piece, to replace hanging hardware that does not meet the standard. D-hooks and plastic-coated wire only — no string, no plastic line, no eye hooks.
$30Per piece, once you have had three infractions. The charge goes up; the requirement does not change.
DeclinedAny image that is not a JPEG, is under 1500 pixels on the longest side, is under 24-bit colour, or is over 24MB. Nothing is converted for you.
DeclinedAny image showing a frame, border or background. Crop so only the artwork is visible, and keep the colour true to the original.
RefusedAny piece arriving without a signed contract affixed to the back. That contract is your agreement with the gallery.
A weekTurn up outside Wednesday to Friday to collect and you will be making a second trip. Returns happen on those three days only.
None of this is arbitrary. Eye hooks damage other members’ paintings in storage and mark the gallery walls, and an image that misreads on screen misrepresents your work to a juror who will never see it in person.