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OPEN CALL
Window Wonderland
We invite animators to join us for the Junction’s 7th Annual Window Wonderland, Toronto’s largest free outdoor augmented reality (AR) art walk, running from November 27, 2026 to January 31, 2027.
Each AR animation is paired with a painted mural, creating a dynamic, interactive piece that visitors can experience using the Artivive app and/or browser-based WebAR access, where enabled.
The 2026/27 theme, Movement + Glimmers, invites animators to explore motion, transition, light, hope, resilience, connection, and everyday moments of joy during the winter season. Movement may include walking, dancing, skating, commuting, playing, resting, or starting again. Glimmers are small positive moments that spark safety, calm, hope, joy, or connection. Animators are encouraged to bring their own interpretation to the theme while collaborating with their paired muralist to create a cohesive, multi-layered AR installation.
CLICK HERE to see our 2025 exhibition!
NOTE: THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR MURALISTS. Toronto-based muralists must apply through The Junction BIA's Call for Muralists. Artists who wish to apply as both a muralist and animator must complete both applications: one through The Junction BIA for muralists and one through Artivive for animators.
REQUIREMENTS
- ● Applications are open to artists aged 18+ (as of the contract start date.)
● Submissions are limited to English.
● Group submissions by multiple animators or collectives will not be accepted.
● Portfolio must include a link to video examples of past work (on YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)
Animator files must not include voiceover, on-screen text, captions, logos, URLs, social handles, QR codes, credits, or watermarks. Artist and Window Partner credits will be managed by The Junction BIA through official event signage and digital channels.
SELECTION PROCESS
Artivive will manage the animator open call, review, scoring, and selection process, and provide The Junction BIA with the top 20 selected animators and 5 backups. The Junction BIA and Artistic Curator will review the final list of animators for alignment with the overall exhibition and confirm muralist-animator pairings.
COMPENSATION
$800 CAD + HST, if applicable, for a minimum 20-second looped animation, which isinclusive of any costs related to licensed music and/or sound effects, if used. Animations must not include voiceover, on-screen text, captions, logos, URLs, social handles, QR codes, or credits.
Animators are responsible for securing all required music/sound usage rights and must submit an invoice upon completion of approved deliverables. Payment will be issued within 30 days of the exhibition opening date by EFT, or by PayPal if EFT is not available. Please see below for the estimated timeline to understand the scope of work required.
WORKSHOP (participation is mandatory)
Artivive will host a mandatory welcome meeting and virtual workshop on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET. This workshop will introduce augmented reality concepts and provide tutorials on creating AR art using Artivive's tools. Attendance is required for all selected artists, even if they have previously participated in Window Wonderland. This workshop will equip artists with valuable skills to enhance their creative process.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Junction BIA is committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcomes applications from artists of all backgrounds, including women, Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized artists, newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, people with disabilities, and people from diverse faith and cultural communities. For more information, please see The Junction BIA Diversity and Inclusion Statement.
The Junction BIA Diversity and Inclusion Statement
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Submissions close on June 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Selected artists will be contacted by July 15, 2026.
KEY DATES:
August 4 - Virtual Workshop hosted by Artivive
September 27 - Animation Draft Due
October 18 - Final Animation Due
November 22 - Superimposed MP4 + Artivive File Transfer
November 30 - Survey Completed
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