Thank you to all kids and teens who submitted artworks for #MyPandemicStory! We received over 2,500 submissions that will be considered for selection in the physical exhibition, opening this fall.
The submission window for selection in the physical exhibition has closed, but we invite kids and teens to continue to share their artworks for inclusion in the digital gallery on our website.
The Museum is now reviewing submissions and making selections for the physical exhibition. For more in formation on the original submission process, please see below.
Visit the MyPandemicStory exhibition page for more information and updates on the project.
Call for Submissions (Now Closed)
Calling all kids and teens! Capture your history while it’s being made.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s had a profound effect on how you—kids and teens—learn, play, create, communicate, and so much more. Help make sense of this moment and shape how it goes down in history—and how it comes to life in a new exhibition.
Share your perspective to help build a new crowd-sourced exhibition at the ROM. #MyPandemicStory will be a curated display of your original works of art, opening this fall.
Submit an artwork for a chance to be displayed at the ROM!
What to Submit
Create a work of art about you and your life during the pandemic.
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“Art with Hand” by Arkajit (Age 12-15)
When I think about this prompt, I think about all the activities that I couldn’t do and all the places that I wasn’t able to visit during the pandemic. Through my artwork, I intend to show the sadness that I felt during the pandemic—I wanted to show how this experience was unprecedented for me. The hand in the centre of my artwork represents me, the doodles related to COVID-19 are covering me and affecting me.
© Arkajit Mukherjee
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“Covid Collage” by Eklavya (Age 12-15)
This artwork was made to include everything that was, heard, said, happened, and thought of, during the pandemic/lockdown. My goal with this art was to create an intertwined drawing of all things related to life in the pandemic. I achieved this by overlapping, weaving, and combining words, items, and shapes.
© Eklavya Patel
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“Anonymous” by Om (Age 12-15)
A lot of things I do including reading (something I have been doing a lot lately), going to school and being online make me feel anonymous. Anonymity makes the world feel kind of small. I have family, friends and class and that’s it. But that’s not always bad because it also feels like a break from socializing.
© Om Lohier
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“Longing” by Gurshan (Age 12-15)
As you can see, I decided to do a poem for my project. I did this partly because it is far easier than making artwork and also because I feel like although words alone are pretty pathetic, if you do some practicing and chemistry with them, you can string them together and make them really powerful.
© Gurshan Mararhr
What has life been like for you during the pandemic? What has it looked or sounded like? How have you felt along the way? Is there anything that feels totally normal now, but would have felt strange a year ago?
Your work of art could show you in a certain moment or setting. It could represent something important to you from your pandemic world. Or it could be about a special memory or strong emotion. It’s your art and your story and it’s an important one to share.
You could express it as…
- a picture—like a drawing, painting, collage, or photograph
- a sculpture
- a song or video
- a poem
Need some tips? Download the My Pandemic Story Submission Guide for pointers and quick exercises to get your imagination in gear.
Who Can Submit
We are looking for artwork created by kids…
- between the ages of 4-18
- living in Ontario
Note: Children 17 and under must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian in order to submit a creation. For submissions shared through a public unlocked Twitter or Instagram account, children under the age of 13 will require a parent/legal guardian to submit the creation on behalf of the child.
Struggling during the pandemic? You’re not alone. We recognize this is a difficult time for a lot of people. If you or someone you know is struggling or in distress, please know you are not alone, and it’s important to reach out and get help. Some resources include Kids Help Phone, Canada Suicide Prevention Service, and Gerstein Crisis Centre. The Canadian Mental Health Association also offers resources to support mental health during the pandemic.
How to Submit
Please note: the submission window for selection in the physical exhibition has closed, but we invite kids and teens to continue to share their artworks for inclusion in the digital gallery on our website.
Take a photo or video of your creation and submit it below. If your artwork is selected for display in the exhibition, the ROM will arrange to collect the original (so don’t get rid of it). For this initial submission, we can accept the following types of files, up to 5 GB: JPG, PNG, TIF, SVG, PDF, AVI, FLV, MOV, MP4, MPG, WMV.
Tell us about your artwork! With your submission, include:
- a short description of what you created and what it means to you
- your name
- age
- your town or city
- contact email address
OR
Post your creation using your unlocked Twitter or Instagram account with the hashtag #MyPandemicStory and tag @ROMtoronto. Be sure to tell us about your artwork in the caption, and send us a DM with the artist’s name, age, and town or city.
Have questions? Check out these FAQ or contact us at mypandemicstory@rom.on.ca for submission assistance.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021
Submissions received after the deadline won’t be eligible for selection in the physical exhibition but may be displayed in the digital gallery on our website.
Please read the submission Terms & Conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the artworks be returned?
All artworks in the exhibition will be returned to the artists. Some artworks may be considered for inclusion in the Museum’s collections.
Will you add the artworks to your collection?
Some of the artworks may be considered for inclusion in the Museum’s collections. We will reach out to those artists directly. Otherwise, all artworks will be returned to the artists when the exhibition is complete.
When will the exhibition open?
The crowd-sourced exhibition is scheduled to open on October 23, 2021 and is free for all to visit. It will be open until spring 2022.
Will artists of selected works receive complimentary tickets to see the exhibition?
This exhibition is free to all. It will be displayed inside the Bloor Street entrance zone, before paid admission. Anyone can enjoy it for free and bring their friends!
What about my family members and friends who can’t make it to the ROM? Is there an alternative way to see the exhibition?
Yes! We will be posting all artwork submissions on the website. Stay tuned for the URL, which will launch at the same time as the exhibition, on October 23, 2021.
What if the Museum isn’t open? Or I want to view the exhibition, but I’m not comfortable visiting indoors?
This special exhibition is being planned as both an in-person and digital experience. Featured work will be displayed in cases on the first floor of the Museum in a dedicated area (free to the public), while the ROM website will feature all submitted artworks in a digital gallery.