Public art opportunities
Indigenous Place Keeping programming and artworks
The Indigenous Place Keeping program showcases a variety of cultural programming and traditional and contemporary works of art by Indigenous artists in Calgary’s municipal building.
Call for programming
Indigenous artists, performers and academics with all levels of experience can propose Indigenous educational presentations, cultural workshops and performances such as dance, music, art, writing and poetry for the fall schedule. Events and activities will take place between September and December 2023 in the municipal building atrium in Calgary.
Deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. MST, June 30, 2023
Call for artworks
Indigenous artists with all levels of experience can propose existing artworks for a paid exhibit to celebrate Indigenous contributions to our shared histories and to promote better understanding of the unique relationship between Indigenous Nations and the community at large. Artworks of all disciplines are welcome including digital, 2-dimensional works, performance, video/sound installation, literary and small sculptural art. Artworks will be on display from October 2023 to March 2024.
Deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. MST, August 31, 2023
Free information sessions will be held in May and June for those interested in applying. Visit our Facebook events page for details. If you miss a session, that's ok! Reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram or by emailing indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca and we'll be happy to walk you through any questions you have about the application process.
Indigenous textile art for City Council Chambers
We are commissioning 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. Textile artworks such as beadwork, quillwork, weaving, felting, applique or another textile will be exhibited for a period of 10 years.
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.
Questions?
Please email us at indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca with any questions about the application process.
Free in-person and online information sessions for artists who are interested in applying are available. For dates, times, locations and online meeting links, please emailindigenouspublicart@calgary.ca.
Stoney Nakoda call to artists
Deadline for artists was Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Thank you for your submissions.
Blackfoot Confederacy call to artists
Deadline for artists was Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Thank you for your submissions.
Tsuut'ina Nation call to artists
Deadline for artist submissions is Wednesday May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST.
Métis Nation Region 3 call to artists
Deadline for artist submissions is Wednesday May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST.
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