Public art opportunities
Indigenous Place Keeping fall programming
We’re looking for Indigenous artists, performers and academics with all levels of experience to propose Indigenous educational presentations, cultural workshops and performances such as dance, music, art, writing and poetry for the fall programming schedule of the Indigenous Place Keeping program. Events and activities will take place between September and December 2023 in the municipal building atrium in Calgary.
Deadline to apply Friday, 4:30 p.m. MST, June 30, 2023
Indigenous public art selection panelists
Artwork: Ulu and All by Em Forbes, 2022
Who
Indigenous artists, arts administrators, curators, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and people with an interest in public art. Those with all levels of experience are welcome to apply.
What
Selection panel members wanted to help evaluate Indigenous artworks and artists for upcoming City of Calgary public art projects.
Where
Calgary
When
- Deadline to apply – 4:59 p.m. April 14, 2023
- Selection panel members will participate on various days during their two-year term starting May 2023 and ending April 2025.
- Timelines are negotiable based on availability.
How much
- $335 for each half day
- $591 for each full day
Questions?
Please email us at indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca with any questions about the application process or to attend one of the free information sessions below. Information sessions and Zoom links are also listed on the Indigenous public art Facebook events page.
- Blackfoot applicants – (via Zoom) March 14
- Stoney Nakoda applicants – (via Zoom) March 20
- Métis applicants – (via Zoom) March 27
- All Indigenous applicants – (via Zoom and in-person at the Central Library) March 28
- Tsuut'ina applicants – (via Zoom) April 4
Indigenous textile art for City Council Chambers
éWe are looking to commission four artworks by female or Two-Spirit artists of any gender to exhibit in Calgary’s City Council Chambers. Artworks will represent Stoney Nakoda First Nations, Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina Nation and Métis Nation Region 3. Artworks must be a textile such as beadwork, quillwork, weaving, felting, applique, or another textile.
The Council Chambers Indigenous art initiative aims to celebrate Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people of any gender and centers those who should be most protected and honoured in our communities. Art by the first peoples of this area hung prominently in the place where City Council meets to make decisions will serve as a reminder that Indigenous people lived on this land long before Scottish settlers named it Calgary, and that every Calgarian has a role to play in acknowledging the past and working toward a brighter future.
The artist calls for Stoney Nakoda First Nations and Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina Nation and Métis Nation Region 3 are below.
Questions?
Please email us at indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca with any questions about the application process.
We are offering free in-person and online information sessions for artists who are interested in applying. These sessions are meant to answer your questions and are not mandatory. For dates, times, locations and online meeting links, please emailindigenouspublicart@calgary.ca.
Stoney Nakoda call to artists
Deadline for artists submissions is Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST.
Blackfoot Confederacy call to artists
Deadline for artists submissions is Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST.
Tsuut'ina Nation call to artists
Deadline for artists submissions is Wednesday May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST
Métis Nation Region 3 call to artists
Deadline for artists submissions is Wednesday May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST
Murals for northeast Calgary
We are accepting applications for a mural project in northeast Calgary on the piers/pillars supporting the 64 Avenue NE pedestrian bridge over Metis Trail (Google street view image).
The bridge is a prominent piece of infrastructure that connects Mcknight-Westwinds CTrain Station with the industrial/ business complex that houses businesses and organizations.
Artist teams, artist collectives or individual artists are welcome to apply.
Application deadline is 4:59 p.m. Friday March 31, 2023.
Mini galleries for northeast Calgary
Image taken at Crescent Heights Community Association
We are in search of art by artists with strong ties to northeast Calgary to be featured in outdoor mini galleries at 10 community centres throughout 2023. This exhibition will celebrate the diversity of art forms, people and cultures represented in northeast Calgary.
All art mediums are welcome. If you do small-scale visual arts, this space will lend itself nicely to your craft. However, maybe you’re a poet, a dancer, an actor, a film maker, textile artist or a large-scale sculptor or painter. We encourage you to think creatively about how your art may be showcased in these spaces and present us with your ideas.
Submissions will be accepted from professional, emerging and recreational artists in all disciplines for three rounds of applications. Artworks will be selected by curators who will plan mini gallery exhibits around themes gathered from conversations with northeast community members.
Interior mini gallery dimensions are 50cm wide, 20cm deep and 40cm tall.
Artists will be paid $960 for exhibiting their work in the mini galleries for a four-month period.
A total of 30 local artists will be chosen to exhibit their work in 2023.
| Application deadline | Exhibition period |
|---|---|
| December 12, 2022 | January to April 2023 |
| March 31, 2023 | May to August 2023 |
| July 31, 2023 | September to December 2023 |
To apply, please email publicart@calgary.ca with the following:
- Subject line: mini gallery artist submission
- Your name and contact info
- Briefly describe your connection to northeast Calgary (Do you live, work, play in the area? Tell us how you are connected to the northeast, and which communities specifically.)
- Tell us about the artwork you are proposing for the for the mini galleries
- Attach photo/visual of your artwork
- Briefly describe your vision for the mini gallery
If you have questions about the application process, please email them to publicart@calgary.ca
This project is part of the Northeast public art initiative that seeks to support local artists and businesses, enhance our northeast neighbourhoods and ensure art reflects the people who live in the communities where the art is located. Find out more about this initiative at calgary.ca/NEpublicart.
Please note: This website promotes public art opportunities initiated by The City of Calgary. Artists are also encouraged to watch for opportunities on the Calgary Arts Development classified page, in local and national newspapers and on industry related job boards and websites.
Definition of a Professional Artist - Canadian Council for the Arts