Call for Submissions

We are thrilled to announce the Call for Submissions for the next THREADS: Cultural Conversations on April 30, 2025!  

Hosted by the Saskatoon Open Door Society, THREADS is a diverse online event in both its presentation and its execution. Part academic conference, part artistic celebration, and part sharing circle, THREADS strives to unite all peoples through storytelling, knowledge sharing and creativity. 

We have recently created the THREADS Studio, a new virtual space to showcase work of artists from all disciplines and all over the world. 

Theme of the next THREADS conference - Reimagining

Reimagining is a theme that resonates deeply with humanity, symbolizing our innate capacity for creativity, growth and transformation. It involves looking at the world not just as it is, but as it could be, challenging existing paradigms and envisioning new possibilities. This theme is woven into the fabric of human history, driving progress and innovation. 

This year, we invite artists to reimagine the past, the present, and the future – exploring and thinking about how we can change ourselves, our relationships, our society, and various aspects of our lives. Our goal is to assemble a strong and diverse collection of works that explore our theme. 

Here are some questions to inspire your submission: 

1. In your imagination, what does a utopian or dystopian future look like? 
2. What historical events or traditional concepts can be reinterpreted in a modern context? 
3. How can art challenge existing social, political, or cultural paradigms? 
4. How can technology and nature be harmoniously blended in a new vision of the world? 
5. What role does imagination play in overcoming current global challenges?

By reimagining, we tap into our collective potential, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation that is essential for surviving and flourishing in an ever-changing world. 

HOW TO SUBMIT

THREADS is seeking submissions from:

Visual artists – You may submit works in painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, digital art, printmaking, installation, ceramics, fabric, jewelry, sculpture, and other 2- or 3-dimensional media.  

Photos of artworks may also be submitted. 

Performing artists - musicians, dancers, poets, spoken word artists, storytellers... 

You may submit a video (10 minutes max.) of your poetry, short stories, songs, dance, or any other artistic exploration. You may also submit a video responding to the theme of reimagining in relation to: 

                                   Reimagining the self                           Reimagining relationships 

                                   Reimagining the environment          Reimagining technology/AI 

                                   Reimagining history                            Reimagining cities

                                   Reimagining art                                   Reimagining culture 

Making the submission

• If you are submitting a video, please make sure it’s horizontal and high-quality.
• Send your digital files to threads_registrations@sods.sk.ca using WeTransfer.
• Confirm your submission in an email to the same address, indicating your name and the name of your video/digital file.

Deadline: All submissions must be received by midnight on December 15, 2024. 

Eligibility:

The work you submit must be your own original creation.

Work that has previously been published or presented elsewhere is eligible. Work previously published or presented by THREADS: Cultural Conversations and the Saskatoon Open Door Society is NOT eligible.

Selection process

All submissions are screened for eligibility. Each eligible submission is evaluated by members of the THREADS: Cultural Conversations team, based on its relevance to this year's theme. 

If you submitted more than one image of a single work and your work is selected, the THREADS team will choose which of the images is to be used.

If your work is selected

You will be notified 6-8 weeks after the submission deadline. 

Your work will: 

• Appear in the next edition of THREADS: Cultural Conversations or in the THREADS Library, a resource for cross-cultural learning and professional development with 150+ recordings. 
• Be listed/appear in the THREADS conference agenda and/or the THREADS Library. 
• Be featured in the THREADS social media outlets and its marketing campaign: THREADS is promoted on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to our local, national and international followers, as well as on CBC Saskatoon and CFCR radio. We are also sponsored by various magazines and newspapers including The Walrus, Canadian Immigrant, and Eagle Feather News. 

Artists whose work is selected will receive a small honorarium ($250). 

Legal considerations

• We do not represent artists or sell their work. 
• All images and stories submitted remain the property of the artist and the artist retains the copyright. 
• We will request permission from artists to showcase their work as part of our conference, in marketing and promotional materials, on social media platforms, or in the THREADS Library. 
• Each work will be credited with the artist’s name and the title of the artwork.

If you have questions, please email threads_registrations@sods.sk.ca.