INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the application form to participate in the 2025 Central Island Arts Guide and Studio Tour, an initiative by Comox Valley Arts. Secure your spot in the 2025 Arts Guide and sign up for the studio tour with our simple application process for both renewing artists and artists new to the guide.
Applications will close on October 1, 2025 at 10 am PST.
This application process will allow you to:
- Renew your listing at www.centralislandartsguide.ca and update your information as needed, showcasing your evolving artistic journey with new images, descriptions, links or whatever else you would like to change on your listing.
- Sign up for a new listing
- Sign up for the 2025 Studio Tour
- Use content from your initial 2025 application
- Purchase a “Green Banner” feather flag to attract visitors to your studio.
2025 FEES FOR THE CENTRAL ISLAND ARTS GUIDE + STUDIO TOUR
To participate in the Studio Tour, you or your studio must have an online listing in the Central Island Arts Guide (www.centralislandartsguide.ca).
1-Year RENEWAL of Existing Active Listing: $90 per listing
-0R -
1-Year NEW Listing:
- $160 per listing (professional artist* or arts organization)
- $120 per listing (emerging artist)
- $90 per listing (equity-deserving*)
- FREE per listing (Indigenous artists including First Nations, Métis and Inuit)
Participate in the Studio Tour: $50 (FREE for Indigenous artists including First Nations, Métis and Inuit)
How are these fees spent?
We promote the Central Island Arts Guide and the Studio Tour in various ways - Island Arts Magazine, Preview Magazine, BC Guide to Arts & Culture, Arts BC, Facebook and Instagram boosted posts, Comox Valley Record, Campbell River Mirror, other Island news sites, and off-island via targeted digital advertising. All listing fees support this marketing.
How do I know if I am a professional* artist?
A professional artist is someone who:
has specialized training in the artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions);
is recognized as a professional by his or her peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition);
is committed to devoting more time to artistic activity, if possible financially;
has a history of public presentation or publication. *We use the Canada Council for the Arts definition. You may read more here.
How do I know if I am an emerging*, new or early career artist?
An artist entering, or in the early stages of, their professional career; has some training, experience or accomplishment; is committed to developing their skills and artistic practice. *We use the Canada Council for the Arts definition. You may read more here.
How do I know if I am an equity-deserving* artist?
Equity-seeking artists are individuals that face significant challenges in participating in society. This marginalization could be created by attitudinal, historic, social and environmental barriers based on age, ethnicity, disability, economic status, gender, nationality, race, sexual orientation and transgender status, etc. Equity-seeking individuals/groups are those that identify barriers to equal access, opportunities and resources due to disadvantage and discrimination and actively seek social justice and reparation. *We use the Canada Council for the Arts definition. You may read more here.
OTHER INFORMATION AND FAQs
What is an Arts Guide listing?
Listings are robust individual website pages that can contain tons of photos, video, rich text content, mapping and links to social media and other online presence. Each listing has a gallery banner as well as a popup slideshow for larger viewing.
Do I have to be in the Arts Guide to participate in the Studio Tour? Yes.
Can I buy a Green Banner to help mark my studio? Yes! There is a section on the form that asks if you need a green banner. Green Banners are $100.
Will there be a printed pamphlet for the Arts Guide? No. All Listings are now web listings but there will be a printed map for the Studio Tour.
Will there be a launch event or opportunity to meet other participating artists? Yes! The opening event will take place on November 20th. Stay tuned for more details.
Only want to participate in one day of the studio tour? No problem! We’ve heard your concerns about missing the chance to explore the Studio Tour while participating in it. To make this season more enjoyable for everyone, we’re offering the option to sign up for just one day — either Saturday, November 22, or Sunday, November 23. Prefer to do both days? That’s an option too!
Ready to Sign-Up or Renew Your Listing? Great! Whether you are signing up for a new listing, or renewing, please read and fill out the information in the form below, as applicable. We will be in touch if we need more information.
Renewing, but want to make some changes? No problem. We have sorted out how to give everyone access to make changes to their listings. We can also assist with any changes you may want to make, including adding new work, etc. Reach out to us at info@comoxvalleyarts.com
I already applied for the 2025 Studio Tour, do I have to fill out the application again? Yes, but not the entire application. Previous applicants only need to provide their contact information and can choose to carry over details from their earlier application. This option is available exclusively for those who signed up for the Studio Tour and Central Island Art Guide earlier this year. All other applicants will need to complete the full application.
I really want to participate in the 2025 studio tour, but my studio is not suitable for visitors during the winter months, are there any other options? Yes! We have teamed up with several businesses in Tin Town to act as temporary studio spaces, information about those sites can be found in the application. In order to secure your spot in one of these temporary spaces you will need to fill out the application. These spots are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first served basis.
Still can't pariticpate in the studio tour but are looking for in-person exposure? Consider signing up for the ARTWRX Studio + Gallery Foot Show, which is happening during the same weekend.
About the Square Foot Show:
ARTWRX Studio + Gallery invites artists from across Canada to apply to our annual Square Foot Show, happening November 21–27, 2025.
This juried exhibition features original artwork in a 12" x 12" format. It’s a excellent opportunity to share your work with art enthusiasts across the country.
What to Expect:
- 12" x 12" original artwork only
- All works priced at $350
- Exhibition at ARTWRX Studio + Gallery (Courtenay, BC) November 21 - 23
- Online Show - November 21 - 27
- Submission deadline: October 28, 2025
- Open to all Canadian artists
A link to the Square Foot Show will be included at the end of this application on the "Thank You Page". If you have any questions about Tin Town Studio Space, or the ARTWRX Studio + Gallery Square Foot Show, please email us at info@comoxvalleyarts.com.
I can’t afford to pay the listing price, can I still participate? We offer payment plans and other options. Reach out to us to start the conversation info@comoxvalleyarts.com.