Call for Proposals – Student T-Shirt Design Commission
Project Overview:
We are seeking proposals from student artists for a 1- to 2-colour design to be screen-printed on a limited-edition T-shirt. This call is open to current students enrolled in an undergraduate or diploma/certificate visual art/design institution or program in Newfoundland & Labrador.
No thematic restrictions, no required logos and no need to reference VANL-CARFAC. We are looking for a design that will make a compelling piece of wearable art – translate your unique visual voice, mark-making, or design style onto 1 or 2-colour design.
Eligibility:
Artists submitting proposals must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or diploma/certificate visual art/design institution or program in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and must be up-to-date members of VANL-CARFAC. Individuals may become members at the time of submission. Please, contact the VANL-CARFAC office for details
Compensation:
- Licensing / Royalty Fee: $250 dollars plus 12% of the total retail price for total shirts printed. The exact number of shirts to be printed is to be determined. The artist’s fee will be paid in advance, upon completion, and will not be contingent on sales.
Submission Requirements:
- Artist Bio / Brief Intro: (Max 150 words) Name, current institution/program, and contact information.
- Visual Portfolio: 5 to 10 images of previous work demonstrating your work.
- Concept Proposal (Rough):
- A short text description (2–3 sentences) and a preliminary rough sketch/thumbnail of your idea.
- Note: Artists are not asked to create finished artwork for the application stage. Selection will be made based on existing portfolio samples and a brief written concept or rough thumbnail.
- The artist retains full copyright of their work. VANL will be licensing non-exclusive rights to reproduce the image on T-shirts for a single defined run. VANL-CARFAC reserves the right to re-produce the image in any capacity used to advertise or promote shirt sales. The artist will be credited in all instances where the image may appear. We will not sell or license images of the work for use by any other organization.
- Use of AI:
- Use of AI is highly discouraged.
- If your proposal involves the use of AI, please describe the tools used (i.e. ChatGPT, Grammarly, etc.), in what capacity they were used, and if AI would be used creatively in your proposal.
- If AI tools are used, ensure that all contributions are acknowledged appropriately.
- The selection will be conducted via peer assessors and AI tools will be prohibited as part of the assessment process. Proposals based on improper use of AI may be subject to review.
Design Specifications for the final piece:
- Preferred Format: PDF saved with vector elements preserved (or native vector formats like .AI or .EPS if available).
- If Submitting Raster/Bitmap Art inside the PDF: The image must be high-resolution (minimum 300 DPI at 100% of the actual intended print size).
- Colour Limit: 1 or 2 solid spot colors (no complex gradients or process prints; halftones/stippling). Please indicate preferred colour options for the T-shirt.
- Shirt Colour: final design will be printed on one colour of shirt only
- Print Location: Front chest or back of T-shirt (please specify intended dimensions of the design (e.g., max 10″ x 12″).
- Theme/Design Prompt: There is no set theme, and the above notes are the only limitations.
Selection Process & Timeline:
- Call Issue Date: August 21st, 2026
- Submission Deadline: September 25th, 2026
- Selected Artist Notified: September 30th, 2026
- Draft Design Review: October 23th, 2026
- Final High-Res Image Due: October 30th, 2026
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee based on portfolio quality, suitability of style for 1–2 colour screen printing, and the clarity of the concept.
How to Apply:
Email your submission package with the subject line “T-Shirt Design Commission – “Your Name” to vanlcarfac@gmail.com by September 25th, 2026. We will also accept submissions made through WeTransfer, Dropbox and GoogleDocs. Any questions can be directed to vanlcarfac@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to see your work!