Dimensions is the Saskatchewan Craft Council’s open, juried exhibition which encourages and rewards excellence in hand-crafted work. Every four years all Saskatchewan craftspeople are eligible to submit up to two hand-crafted items. Two experienced jurors are tasked with selecting the pieces for the exhibition, as well as deciding which pieces merit the many available awards.
Dimensions 2025 Call for Entries
Dimensions 2025 is open to all craftspeople and artists living and working in Saskatchewan.Entries are only accepted by completing the online submission form and (if applicable) paying entry fees.
Click here for more details and to apply!
About Dimensions
After a thorough evaluation of the Saskatchewan Craft Council’s longest running program, we have made some exciting changes to Dimensions with the following goals in mind:
- Improve accessibility of the program and increase the value for individual artists, especially those who feel disconnected and alienated by the process;
- Build community rooted in respect, equity, transparency, and accountability;
- Balance needs of every member of the community – Artists/Jurors/SCC members/touring venues/sponsors/SCC staff/public;
- Reframe Dimensions as a unique celebration of fine craft; highlight the anticipation, value, and importance of the program.
- Create meaningful lasting change that honours Dimensions’ past contributions – create new legacy, establish new exciting patterns and reach new audiences. Be Leaders in our sector;
- Create programming that is thoughtful and considerate about our events and goals.
- Create a new Dimensions roadmap for the future of the organization that addresses past shortcomings and generates new ideas.
A detailed research summary is available here
History
Dimensions first came into being in the late 1970s when the Mayor of Battleford, Alex Dillabough, lobbied the Government of Saskatchewan for promotional assistance linking craft and the tourism industry. Exhibitions were organized by the Saskatchewan Department of Industry and Commerce in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Handcraft Festival. The newly formed Saskatchewan Craft Council provided a jury for one of these exhibitions in 1976, and the first Premier’s Prize was awarded in 1977. From those beginnings, until 2009, Dimensions was presented annually. In 2011, it became a biennial exhibition and is still the only open, juried, touring exhibition of contemporary craft in the province.
Since then, all Saskatchewan craftspeople have been eligible to submit up to two hand-crafted items every two years. With the steady increase in operational costs and standstill government funding, the two-year exhibition cycle is no longer feasible for the Craft Council while preserving the elements that are most important to you. The new Dimensions program will operate on a four-year cycle, which will enable us to add even more elements that will benefit more makers in various stages of their artistic development. Detailed program elements are listed below.
Past Dimensions
Past Dimensions Catalogues
- Dimensions 1978
- Dimensions 1980
- Dimensions 1982
- Dimensions 1983
- Dimensions 1984
- Dimensions 1985
- Dimensions 1988
- Dimensions 1989
- Dimensions 1990
- Dimensions 1992
- Dimensions 1993
- Dimensions 1994
- Dimensions 1995
- Dimensions 1996
- Dimensions 1997
- Dimensions 1998
- Dimensions 2000
- Dimensions 2001
- Dimensions 2002
- Dimensions 2003
- Dimensions 2004
- Dimensions 2005
- Dimensions 2006
- Dimensions 2007
- Dimensions 2008
- Dimensions 2009
- Dimensions 2011
- Dimensions 2013
- Dimensions 2017
- Dimensions 2019
- Dimensions 2021
Members’ Exhibition
We understand that craftspeople are in constant need of opportunities to show their work, and that one Dimensions exhibition every 4 years does not satisfy that need. Therefore, we have committed to exhibiting one member show every two years as part of our exhibitions program. All SCC Professional Craftsperson members will be invited to exhibit at least one piece in the biennial members exhibition.
Small Quirks, Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery, 2022
Jurying
The exhibition and award selections are decided by two experienced jurors. Prior to launching the call for entry, we acceptnominations for Dimensions jurors from members of the craft community.Dimensions is one of the few juried exhibitions where the jurors select from the physical piece, rather than photographs of works, allowing for a more nuanced and considerate selection. To honour the tradition of in-person jurying as well as the capacity of the organization, Dimensions will utilize a hybrid jurying process. The first round of jurying will take place online, with a second round of jurying happening in-person. All submissions will be available to view on an online gallery, while those selected for in-person jurying will be featured in the in-person open house. The jurors will provide a public presentation about their process and selected works. A limited number of private feedback sessions with the jurors will be available by registration.
Feedback Sessions
The Saskatchewan Craft Council offers opportunity for artists to get critical feedback on artwork from peers before submitting to Dimensions. You may present up to 2 works that are either in progress or completed to discuss with fellow SCC members.
The next Dimensions feedback session is Thursday, January 16, at 6:30 pm on Zoom. The deadline to register is Monday, January 6 at 11:59pm
Dimensions aims to celebrate excellence in Saskatchewan craft, nurture meaningful connections, community, education and artistic development. Stay tuned for further Dimensions programming announcements!