Indigenous public art opportunities

The City of Calgary’s Indigenous public art program has launched three new and exciting opportunities specifically to increase Indigenous representation in the public art collection.

• Calling all female or two-spirit Indigenous artists with experience in traditional methods such as beading, quillwork, weaving, felting, or appliqué. We are commissioning four large textile artworks to represent the cultures and histories of the original people of the Treaty 7 area and Métis Nation Region 3. The first project of its kind in Calgary, 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. If selected, your artwork will be exhibited prominently in Calgary’s City Council Chambers for a period of 10 years.

• Are you passionate about Indigenous cultural and contemporary arts? We are seeking individuals for a paid opportunity to select Indigenous artists for upcoming public art opportunities. Artists, arts administrators, curators, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and people with an interest in public art (aged 16+) with all levels of experience are encouraged to apply.

• Artists, performers and academics wanted to share their work. We’re seeking proposals for 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. If selected, your work will help tell the stories of Indigenous people of this area in Calgary’s municipal building, a place where Calgarians come to do business and where City Council meets to make decisions. Programming events and activities will take place between September and December 2023. There are also two additional artistic opportunities that Indigenous artists should consider applying for:

• We are accepting applications for a mural project in northeast Calgary on the piers/pillars supporting the 64 Avenue NE pedestrian bridge over Métis Trail. The bridge is a prominent piece of infrastructure that connects McKnight-Westwinds CTrain station with the industrial and business complex across Métis Trail.

• Bring your idea for a public arts and culture experience to life! With close to $1 million in available funding, the 2023 Arts & Culture microgrant program is now accepting applications. Non-profits and registered charities, including Community Associations and Business Improvement Areas can apply for between $500 and $50,000 in funding for community-based arts and culture initiatives. Artists are invited to partner with these organizations to create initiatives that connect community members and make public spaces more inviting.

• Find out more, see submission deadlines and download the artist calls at calgary.ca/artistopportunities You can also sign up for the monthly public art newsletter and the Indigenous artist roster to be notified when more opportunities become available at calgary.ca/indigenouspublicart