Creativity as Support: Call for Artists
The Counterpart Support Network (CSN) is inviting artists to contribute designs to a small creative initiative connecting people in Canada and Cuba.
Selected artwork may appear on items produced through the project store — including shirts, greeting cards, prints, and other simple merchandise — using print-on-demand production platforms. Proceeds from these items help support practical assistance reaching families in Cuba through trusted distribution services.
Cuban artists are especially encouraged to participate.
Artists from anywhere who feel connected to the spirit of the project are also welcome to submit ideas. The project welcomes creators of all identities and backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ artists, BIPOC creators, and anyone whose perspective reflects the diversity of the communities this initiative hopes to connect.
Illustrators, graphic designers, and artists who work with cultural posters, event graphics, album covers, or independent publications are also especially encouraged to participate. Cuba has a long and vibrant tradition of graphic poster art, and the project would be delighted to include that kind of creativity.
Professional portfolios are not required. Whether your work comes from a sketchbook, a watercolor painting, a digital illustration, or a simple creative idea inspired by everyday life, all forms of artistic expression are welcome. The emphasis is not on commercial polish but on authentic perspectives.
Artists whose designs are selected will receive full credit for their work, along with a link to their portfolio, website, or social media page if they wish. Their work may also be shared through the project store and related communications.
Because the project operates as a small humanitarian initiative rather than a commercial art brand, artists are not compensated through traditional royalties. However, artists based in Cuba whose designs are selected may receive a one-time provision delivery valued at approximately $100 CAD through Cuban distribution platforms as a gesture of appreciation for their contribution.
Artwork may be used in different ways depending on the piece. Some designs may appear on shirts, while others may be better suited to greeting card sets, prints, or other simple merchandise. Artists are welcome to propose how they imagine their work being used, and all final designs and mock-ups will be reviewed with the artist before publication.
Artwork should ideally be provided as a vector image or high-definition PNG file, with transparent backgrounds where appropriate. If the artwork exists as a drawing, painting, or other physical piece, photographs or scans can also be submitted and digitally optimized with the artist’s permission.
Original hand-created artwork will be given preference, but AI-assisted designs are also welcome. Creative tools continue to evolve, and part of this project’s spirit is to make artistic participation accessible to people with different abilities and resources. The project also recognizes the ongoing conversations around authorship, training data, and responsible use of these tools.
Because the project focuses on cultural connection and practical support, designs centered on overt political messaging, propaganda, or partisan advocacy are unlikely to be accepted.
The project also recognizes that history, culture, and everyday life can sometimes be interpreted politically depending on the viewer or the context. Artwork celebrating people, places, education, culture, and community is very welcome. The intention is to keep the project welcoming to people from many different perspectives.
By submitting artwork, contributors confirm that the design is their original work or that they have the necessary rights to use all elements included in the design, and they grant permission for the artwork to be reproduced on project merchandise if selected. Artists will always be credited for their work.
Artists interested in participating can simply send a message or email with a sample of their work or a description of an idea, along with a link to a portfolio or social page if they have one. Further details about preparing artwork for production will be shared with interested contributors.
At its heart, the Counterpart Support Network is about building connections between people. Art has always been one of the simplest and most powerful ways to share culture, perspective, and everyday life across borders. If your work can help tell a small part of that story — and in doing so help support families in Cuba — it would be a meaningful contribution to the network.