Dying.exhibit 2027: call for artists and designers

Dying.series is an annual exhibition and public program that opens up conversation about death and dying through art, design, and participatory media. Founded by Kate Sellen and running during the DesignTO Festival since 2019, it is presented this year by existentials:LAB.

Dying.exhibit 2027

Dying.exhibit 2027 runs from 22 to 31 January 2027 at Youngplace, 180 Shaw Street, Toronto, as part of the DesignTO Festival.

This year, the exhibit approaches death and dying through the lens of the health humanities: how art and storytelling can help us understand illness, care, grief, and mortality. It brings together work that reflects the experiences of patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, whether in hospitals, hospices, at home, or elsewhere.

Call for artists and designers

Dying.series invites artists and designers to submit works that explore death, dying, and care through the lens of the health humanities. Many formats are welcome, from 2D and 3D work to digital, installation and multimedia pieces, with a focus on work that invites audience participation. Themes include design practice; healthcare and end-of-life care; community and patient-focused practice; public engagement and public art; and participatory art. Works that address equity, diversity, and inclusion are particularly welcome.

Submissions are reviewed by a jury from multidisciplinary backgrounds, and selected artists receive an honorarium at the current CARFAC group exhibition rate.

An application includes a one-page letter of intent, up to five low-resolution images of the piece with its measurements and any mounting needs, and a CV with a short bio. The deadline is 10 November 2026. Apply through the application form; questions can be sent to info.dying@gmail.com.