Kawartha Art Gallery launches “The Artist Index” to preserve and honour local artistic legacies

The Kawartha Art Gallery is proud to announce the launch of The Artist Index, a new digital initiative dedicated to preserving the work and stories of artists from across the region.

The Artist Index is a publicly accessible digital archive designed to document artistic careers and ensure that the creative contributions of local artists remain visible, contextualized, and active over time.

Every artist leaves behind a body of work that tells a story of a community, a moment in time, and a life fully lived. The Artist Index was created so those stories do not disappear. Acknowledging that physical space will always limit the gallery’s ability to accept all the donation of art inquiries that it receives, The Artist Index now offers an enduring alternative: a professionally maintained digital record of an artist’s life and work.

“The Artist Index allows us to expand our role as stewards of artistic heritage,” said Don Hughes, Kawartha Art Gallery board chair. “It ensures that every artist regardless of whether their work can be physically housed has the opportunity to be recognized, remembered, and accessible to future generations.”

The program welcomes applications through three distinct streams:

• Practicing Artists: For artists currently active in their practice who wish to document and organize their body of work and career.
• Established Artists: For artists approaching the later stages of their careers who wish to help shape and secure how their work will be represented and remembered.
• Artists in Memoriam: For families and estates seeking to honour and preserve the legacy of an artist who has passed away.

Participation in The Artist Index is fee-based; however, the gallery is committed to accessibility. Support is available at no cost to assist established artists in compiling and organizing their materials for submission.

Applicants are guided through a simple process: completing an online application, preparing supporting materials such as a biography, artist statement, and images, and finalizing their submission upon review. Once approved, each artist profile becomes a permanent, publicly accessible part of The Artist Index.

Whether you are an artist looking to document your career, a family preserving a loved one’s legacy, or someone planning for the future of your work, The Artist Index offers a meaningful and lasting home.

For more information, please visit https://www.kawarthagallery.com/the-artist-index.

To apply, please contact Susan Taylor at or 705-324-1780.