RISE: Celebrating Women in the Arts

By The QAC Team

Gender inequality persists in Canada’s arts and cultural sector, with women artists often facing disparities in representation, recognition, and income. A 2018 report by the Ontario Arts Council highlighted that female visual artists earn, on average, only 65% of the annual income of their male counterparts. Additionally, while women constitute 86% of dancers, they represent just 33% of choreographers, indicating significant underrepresentation in leadership roles.

To address these imbalances and celebrate the contributions of women in the arts, the Quinte Arts Council (QAC) is proud to present RISE: Because We Are Equal, an exhibition in honour of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025. This year’s IWD theme, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment., serves as the foundation for this inspiring showcase.

A Celebration of Women’s Creativity

The RISE exhibition invites all who identify as women to share their artistic voices through various mediums, including painting, illustration, photography, mixed media, textiles, sculpture, and ceramics. The exhibition will launch with an opening reception on March 6, 2025, at the QAC gallery, with selected works on display throughout the month of March.

“We are committed to providing a platform where women in the arts can shine, where their work is seen, valued, and celebrated,” says Janet Jarrell, Executive Director of the Quinte Arts Council. “Gender equity in the arts is not just about representation—it’s about ensuring that women’s creative contributions are acknowledged and amplified. The RISE exhibition is an opportunity to do just that.”

The Ongoing Fight for Equality in the Arts

While progress has been made, significant disparities persist. For instance, despite women comprising 50% of musicians and singers, the fields of conducting, composing, and arranging remain male-dominated, with only 35% representation by women. Moreover, a survey of 120 public art commissions in Vancouver from 2010 to 2016 revealed that 62% were awarded to men and only 30% to women, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving gender parity in public art and arts leadership.

International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. Through the RISE exhibition, the Quinte Arts Council aims to enhance the visibility and appreciation of women in the arts within the community.

Join the Movement

Submissions are open to all who identify as women, and artists are encouraged to present works that reflect their unique perspectives and creative journeys. Together, through art, we can advocate for a more equitable future where all women and girls experience rights, equality, and empowerment.

For more information on how to participate in RISE, visit the Quinte Arts Council website or contact the QAC office. Let’s stand together in celebration of women in the arts!

Image art by Tina Osborne

Sources: art.ont.ca, canadianart.ca, thefutureisyouandme.com