Public art opportunities
Current opportunities
Indigenous Digital Artwork and Illustration
Call for Indigenous digital artists
We invite Indigenous artists to apply for our 2026 Indigenous Digital Artist Call, celebrating the theme Indigenous Futurisms — imagining futures rooted in Indigenous knowledge, innovation, and creativity.
- Who: Indigenous artists — all levels of experience are welcome to apply.
- What: Digital artwork, photography, digital illustrations of Indigenous Futurisms.
- Where: Online/print opportunities with Public Art.
- When:
- Deadline to apply: Nov. 28, 2025
- Project start: January 2026
- Project end: Dec. 30, 2026
- How much: $1,000 per image for a one-year non-exclusive license for up to three uses.
- May be extended with extra fees paid to artists.
- Additional opportunities may develop for artists.
The City of Calgary recognizes and values equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and unique dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, work style, communication style, learning preferences and others.
About the project
The City of Calgary’s Public Art Program invites Indigenous artists to submit existing digital artwork and illustrations that explore the theme of Indigenous Futurisms — reimagining the future through Indigenous worldviews, stories, and creativity.
Selected works will be licensed for use on:
- calgary.ca
- Temporary publications
- Public-facing artist calls and posters.
Ten artworks will be selected.
Artwork will be licensed for one year, with the possibility of extension.
In 2025, artworks were showcased in a print exhibition at The Bows and Crawlspace Gallery. Similar opportunities are planned for 2026.
The City reserves the right to cancel this call and/or not award any applicants.
Questions and clarifications
Submit all questions in writing to indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca or via phone 403-268-2994 before 5 p.m. MST on Nov. 28, 2025.
Goals
This project will:
- Support Indigenous artists, businesses, and organizations
- Create more opportunities for Indigenous artists to share their work
- Reflect Indigenous Futurisms and lived experiences
- Showcase a diverse range of Indigenous voices, art practices, and ideas.
Artist information sessions
Free online and in-person information sessions are available to help artists prepare their applications.
Email indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca for dates, times, and locations.
(Attendance is optional and not required to apply.)
Budget
- Artists or artist teams will receive a maximum of $1,000 CAD (not including GST).
- This all-inclusive fee covers: Artist time, materials, consultation, engagement, travel, insurance, and studio costs.
How to apply
Your submission package must include:
- Letter of Interest (max. 600 words)
- Introduce yourself and your art practice
- Describe the artwork (title, date, medium)
- Share its connection to Indigenous Futurisms.
- Images (up to 10)
- One image per page
- Detail images are welcome
- Minimum quality: 300 dpi or higher.
- Evaluation criteria response
- Ensure your package addresses the listed criteria.
How to submit
Email indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca and attach all the required documents. Submissions are accepted in electronic form only.
Please note the following:
- Subject line: Indigenous Digital Artwork
- File size limit: 10 MB per email (multiple emails allowed)
- Submissions must be complete and on time to be considered.
- Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. This is non-negotiable.
Selection process
All submissions are reviewed by a selection panel (curator + Indigenous public art team).
Some artists may be invited to an interview (online or in-person).
Submissions are scored out of 100 points:
- Letter of interest: 30 points
- Artwork: 70 points
If awarded, artists must:
- Provide verification of Indigenous ancestry
- Sign a City of Calgary Artist Agreement.
Evaluation criteria (100 points)
- Letter of interest <30 points>
- Why this opportunity appeals to the artist
- How the artist’s Indigenous background and practice will contribute to this project
- Connection to Indigenous Futurisms.
- Artwork <70 points>
- Suitability of the artwork to print
- Suitability of the artwork to web
- Connection of the artwork to Indigenous Futurisms.
Administration
The commissioner for this project is:
The City of Calgary
Box 2100, Station M, Calgary, AB, Canada T2P 2M5
Mail code #63
This call celebrates Indigenous creativity, resilience, and imagination. By submitting your work, you join a movement that envisions the future through Indigenous stories, voices, and art.
Métis Curator – Indigenous Public Art
Call for curators
- Who: Métis Curators with a connection to Alberta interested in curating a travelling exhibit.
- What: Curate a Métis educational travelling exhibit for The City of Calgary Public Art collection.
- Where: Hybrid work, online research, in-person research, events as needed, regular meetings with City of Calgary Public Art staff.
- When:
- Deadline to apply: Sept. 19, 2025, 4:30 p.m.
- Project start: Oct. 1, 2025
- Project end: Oct. 1, 2026
- How much: Curatorial fee of $12,000 + GST total
- To apply: Send your application package to indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca with the subject "Métis Curator"
The City of Calgary recognizes and values equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and unique dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, work style, communication style, learning preferences and others.
Stoney Nakoda Curatorial Mentorship – Indigenous Public Art
Call for curatorial mentee
- Who: Stoney artists and individuals interested in gaining work experience as a curator.
- What: Curate a Stoney Nakoda educational travelling exhibit for The City of Calgary Public Art collection.
- Where: Hybrid work, online research, in-person research, events as needed, regular meetings with City of Calgary Public Art staff.
- When:
- Deadline to apply: Sept. 19, 2025, 4:30 p.m.
- Project start: Oct. 1, 2025
- Project end: Oct. 1, 2026
- How much: Curatorial fee of $7,000 + GST total
- To apply: Send an email of interest to indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca with the subject "Stoney Nakoda mentorship"
The City of Calgary recognizes and values equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and unique dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, work style, communication style, learning preferences and others.
Definition of a Professional Artist: Canadian Council for the Arts
-
Sign up for our monthly public art newsletter to be notified when all public art opportunities become available.
-
View other opportunities for artists on the Calgary Arts Development website.
-
Respecting and sharing the unique, local Indigenous traditions, beliefs and practices through public art helps to share Indigenous perspectives and stories. Learn more about the Indigenous Public Art Program.
-
Are you an Indigenous artist interested in doing public art in Calgary? Sign up for our roster.
-
Artists are invited to partner with a non-profit organization to create a community-run initiative that makes public spaces more inviting.