Visual arts & new media

Full-Time Contract, One Year (September 2025 to September 2026)

Overview:

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is seeking an experienced, passionate and self-motivated individual to be the onsite Gallery Coordinator for an upcoming 6,000 square foot gallery space being set up in downtown Calgary.  The opening of the gallery is being planned for September 2025.

The opportunity is a temporary contract position for one year with the possibility of extension that will utilize the ideal candidate’s experience in collections management, outreach, arts administration and management, logistics, and programming. 

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts is a public agency and provincial corporation with a mandate to support and contribute to the development of the arts in Alberta. It provides arts grants to individuals and organizations, manages a provincial art collection by Albertan artists, and conducts research and communicates about the value of the arts to Alberta. It is governed by a board of directors that reports to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

For more information about the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, please visit: affta.ab.ca.

Role and Responsibilities of the Position:

Reporting to the Director, Art Collections and Initiatives (located in Edmonton), the position will be responsible for managing and completing daily gallery operations including (but not limited to): overseeing the artworks in the gallery, collaborating with the AFA’s Marketing and Communications team to promote upcoming exhibits and events, providing tours, performing related research, supporting partnerships, developing and overseeing programs and supporting events as required.

The position will be working out of an office in the same building during non-gallery hours and will only be required to work in the gallery space while it is open to the public. While hours for the gallery are still being finalized, the gallery space will largely be open during weekdays with limited hours but will include the possibility of additional hours on an occasional weekend or for a special after-hours event. Ample time will be provided where possible to ensure availability for planning purposes.

The position is for 5 days a week (Monday to Friday), with work hours from 8:15 am to 4:30 pm for a total of 36.25 hours a week with a one-hour lunch break included. Total hours per workday are 7.25 hours.

The successful candidate will need to be comfortable with standing for long periods of time while working in the gallery space, lifting or moving objects of up to 20kgs, and possess the ability to work independently. They will also need to be flexible in working occasional weekends and outside normal operating hours in the case of supporting events. Some travel (approximately 5%) within Calgary and to Edmonton for training and research will be required, with the possibility of additional travel to communities outside of Calgary when required to perform outreach as needed. 

As part of the onboarding process, the successful candidate must be available to travel to Edmonton for training prior to the gallery opening in September. 

The primary responsibilities of this position encompass two (2) main categories (but is not limited to):

Collections Care:

• Responsible for proper care of the gallery and its artworks by exercising collections management best practices in ensuring artworks are protected and free from damage and completing daily/regular inspections to ensure works are safe from potential risks such as pests, leaks, and direct light.
• Performing required research to inform future additions to the AFA art collection.
• Overseeing the receival of artworks when needed and completing required documentation (ie. condition reporting).
• Working with and liaising with facility management staff when required to address onsite concerns.
• Performing regular care routines to monitor the gallery space, including checking on environmental controls (ex. Humidity levels) and security systems to ensuring protection of the artworks.

Programming/Visitor Experiences:

• Welcoming visitors, providing exceptional customer service, and providing information on current and future exhibits and upcoming events during gallery hours.
• Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the gallery, including opening and closing the space, and ensuring the gallery is kept clean.
• Coordinating programming and supporting planned events for the gallery space such as live performances, workshops and artist talks.
• Overseeing the gallery’s operations during operating hours and during special events to ensure gallery best practices are followed.
• Engaging with visitors and providing tours when needed.
• Collecting, compiling and reporting visitation statistics to inform future programming and operations.
• Managing and coordinating exhibitions including maintaining a schedule of visual art exhibitions and potentially assisting with installation and curation.

Qualifications:

• University degree in art history, fine arts, museum studies, or a related field.
• Strong project and time management skills with the ability to meet multiple deadlines.
• Experience with arts administration, community engagement, and budget management.
• Previous experience curating and advising on exhibitions.
• Experience in public speaking and comfortable speaking to groups of various sizes.
• Knowledge of museum best practices, including collections management and current curatorial trends.
• Excellent communication (both written and oral), customer service and creative problem-solving skills.
• Detail oriented and organized.
• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office365.
• Valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s license. 

Assets:

• A Master’s degree in a related field including art history, fine arts and/or museum studies.
• Familiarity with Albertan visual art and contemporary topics in visual art trends.
• Fluency in another language.
• Experience with community building and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
• Experience with fine art preparation and handling.
• Current Standard (Intermediate) First Aid and CPR-C Certificate. 

Salary Range:

The salary compensation for this temporary contract position is up to $70,000 based on related experience (inclusive of all expenses).

How to apply:

Application Deadline: July 20, 2025

Applicants should send a resume and cover letter in one file that clearly outlines their qualifications and experience to kara.annett@gov.ab.ca by the application deadline with the subject line Gallery Coordinator (Calgary) Application.

We thank all applicants for their time and effort in applying, however only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Gallery@501 is pleased to present Like a Rolling Stone - Habitat, a new exhibition by Saskatchewan artist Heike Fink. The exhibit opens at Gallery@501 on July 4, 2025, and shows until August 23, 2025. 

Like a Rolling Stone - Habitat is an immersive exhibit that explores the important relationship between land, wildlife, and humans. Heike Fink uses traditional and modern felting techniques to create sculptures, wall hangings and installations that reflect stories of endangered species, habitat loss and land stewardship. Visitors will encounter prairie animals, birds, birch trees, landscapes, and an incredible installation of a winding stream with 3,000 rocks, each made of wool. Visitors can interact with the rocks by moving them within the habitat, inspiring them to consider the delicate balance between humans and nature.  

This exhibition also features a resource area with opportunities for further learning and hands-on engagement with exhibit themes. The public is invited to join the exhibiting artist for an artist talk at a special reception on Thursday, August 7 at 6:30 pm at Gallery@501. This event and admission to the gallery are free. 

For more information, visit strathcona.ca/ArtGallery. 

Don’t let your art hit a wall — paint it! This course, taught at Red Deer Polytechnic, is designed to deconstruct the mystery and trepidation around mural-making for new-to-it artists. Learn practical mural-making skills, and how plan & propose your own murals to granting organizations. We’ll look to visual projects from around the globe for inspiration and learn from talks by local mural artists. Throughout the week, class-mates will create their own collaborative group murals.

Taught by Amber Solberg, a muralist and project facilitator for not-for-profit kindness society, Altruistic Current. To date, Amber’s worked on a handful of murals, bringing together the work of 200 Community Members and 15 Professional Artists in making community murals for the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Downtown Halifax Business Association, and Parks Canada.

Registration deadline: June 30, 2025
Dates/times: July 14 – 18, 2025, 9am – 4pm
Location: Red Deer Polytechnic, AB
Cost: $695

Learn more and register online at RDP Continuing Education.

Upside Downtown: Concerts + Art line-up for 2025! 

Join us every Thursday in July & August from 5-7pm on Rotary Square at Casa. FREE to attend. From local talent to Juno-nominated artists, Upside Downtown has rock, soul, folk, blues, funk, and country plus everything in between. 

JULY 3*
Veronica Raine
The Decadent Phase

JULY 10*
Makiisma

JULY 17
Joce Reyome

JULY 24
Joshua Beebe & The Forest Orchestra
Willy Big Bull & Wintercount

JULY 31
John Wort-Hannam

AUGUST 7
Nuela Charles

AUGUST 14
Bailey Kate Band

AUGUST 21
Richard Inman & The Western Canadian All-Stars

AUGUST 28 - POP UP, GET DOWN - Dance until 10 pm
Shaela Miller + Guests
ADEQUATE!
Hippodrome

Our final concert on August 28 will be the inaugural POP UP, GET DOWN – A summer dance party with three bands, an art market, and we’re closing 8 Street South! 

Throughout the summer, drop by The Gallery at Casa for Re:Turning the Stories, a community exhibition with over 40 local artists reflecting on their relationship to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden and Nikkei cultural stories in southern Alberta. 

Follow the @AACLETH and @CASALETHBRIDGE on Facebook and Instagram to see which food trucks will be joining us each week. 

*PS - We will be joined for a pre-show on July 3 & July 10 at 4:45 pm with Chinook High School Battle of the Bands Winners. Supporting emerging talent in our community! 

Thank you to our sponsors for allowing us to provide FREE concerts to the community: FACTOR, Spectrum Ale Co., Westco Construction, Precon, Andrew Hilton, Anova Law Group, CIR Realty, Nectar Tattoo, Safeway, So Normal Print Co., Tourism Lethbridge, and Warwick Printing.

The Upside Downtown Concert Series is programmed by the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge. For more information about this series and the AAC, visit artslethbridge.org/ 

Please join us for the launch of Terrie Shaw’s book on July 13th from 2-3:30 pm. Guests can expect a reading from Terrie Shaw, an opportunity to purchase the book, and light refreshments. 

Terrie Shaw is an Edmonton based artist whose new book, Garden Journey: Stories, Sketches, and Recipes, offers an intimate look at her creative process. Through delicate watercolour sketches, expressive pen-and-ink drawings, and heartfelt journal entries, Terrie’s book captures the ever-changing beauty of the seasons and the quiet magic they bring. Shaw then transforms her homegrown bounty into an array of delicious, garden-inspired recipes, each infused with personal stories and cherished memories. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

When: July 13, 2-3:30pm
Where: Audreys Books, 10702 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB

audreys.ca/events 

City of Red Deer Public Art Opportunity

Canadian Pacific Rail Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Public Art Project – 2025/2026

Call for Artists 

Canadian artists or artist teams are invited to submit expressions of interest for a public art opportunity for stage 1 of the CPR Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Project in the city of Red Deer, AB. 

Budget: $170,000 (including GST)

Deadline for applications: July 31, 2025, 4:00pm

Project Background

The CPR Pedestrian Bridge, built in 1908 by Canadian Pacific Railway, was used for trains until 1990 when the rail line was relocated. Although initially slated for demolition, the bridge was saved by local residents and converted into an active transportation structure. Recognizing its historical significance, Red Deer City Council designated the bridge a Municipal Historic Resource in 1991. Now over 100 years old, the bridge is undergoing full rehabilitation to restore its original grandeur, meet modern standards, and create an inviting space for the community. The project will also include landscaping and the creation of a plaza on the north side of the river, with two identified sites for public art.

Location

The public art sites are situated on the north side of the Red Deer River, within the newly created plaza. This location connects the Riverside Meadows neighbourhood to the city's renowned trail system, while the CPR Pedestrian Bridge links the north side to downtown Red Deer. There are two potential public art sites located on the outer edges of a trail roundabout: a primary site and a secondary site. In Stage 2, artists and artist teams can choose to submit a design for the primary site only or a design that engages both sites, creating a cohesive relationship between them.

The plaza and public art sites are situated on the ancestral lands of Treaty 6, within the traditional territories of the Métis, Cree, and Saulteaux peoples. Central Alberta also encompasses parts of Treaty 7, the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina Nation, and Stoney Nakoda Nations. This area has been a place of gathering, travel, and sustenance for Indigenous communities since time immemorial. The arrival of settlers and the imposition of colonial systems—through treaties, land dispossession, and the establishment of industry—profoundly disrupted these relationships. By the early 20th century, the site became home to the Bawtinheimer Mill and later the Great West Lumber Company (1900–1916), contributing to the industrial and residential development of North Red Deer.

Today, projects like the CPR Pedestrian Bridge offer an opportunity to reflect on these layered histories while imagining more inclusive futures. The bridge project aligns with key objectives from the Riverside Meadows Neighbourhood Redevelopment Plan, including beautifying the public realm, fostering a strong community identity, and preserving the area’s historical and cultural features. Riverside Meadows is a vibrant, and inclusive community, blending residential, commercial, and recreational spaces while respecting its history and natural environment. The neighbourhood emphasizes sustainable development, green spaces, and accessible transportation, particularly through walking and biking, and encourages active community involvement in maintaining its unique identity.

Deliverables
Canadian-based artists (including artist teams) are invited to submit their portfolios and statement of interest to this stage 1 of a two-stage competition for the public art project competition for the CPR Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Project. 

The artwork(s) will serve as a welcoming beacon for cyclists and pedestrians, marking the entrance into north Red Deer. Situated along a pedestrian corridor, the piece will invite passersby to pause, gather, and reflect. The project encourages themes that align with the values of the Riverside Meadows neighbourhood, such as environmental stewardship, community connection, and the histories and stories of the area. This will be a site-specific sculptural artwork that responds to the location’s use, history, and natural environment. Designs that incorporate interactive elements are encouraged.

Required Submission Materials

Artists/artist teams are invited to submit their portfolios (up to 10 past projects) and shall include:

• Professional Experience - CV (lead artist)
  • Portfolio of relevant past projects
  • Letter of Interest outlining possible approach to this project
  • Artist Statement and philosophy towards Public Art

Selection Process

Submissions will be screened for eligibility based on the requirements listed above. Submissions that do not meet eligibility criteria will not be considered. Eligible submissions will be reviewed by the Public Art Commission and 3 to 5 finalists will be chosen to move onto the RFP stage. Those moving to the RFP stage will receive an honorarium of $2500.00 for the development of the final design concept. All applicants will be notified regardless. 

Deadline and Submission Details

Proposals will be accepted until Friday, July 31, 2025, 4 pm MT. The detailed RFQL can be found here reddeer.bidsandtenders.ca

Respondents interested in this opportunity are invited to create a free Bidding System Vendor account at reddeer.bidsandtenders.ca and click on the "Create Account" button. To register as a Plan Taker, click on the “Register for this Bid” button.

Responses that do not fully meet the criteria above may not be considered. It is the respondent’s responsibility to request clarification of any item that is unclear or uncertain within the context of the RFQ package by using the “Submit a Question” button through the Bidding System.

Equity Statement 

In the spirit of fostering inclusivity and celebrating diverse voices, this public art project welcomes artists of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to participate. We are committed to ensuring that artists from historically underrepresented communities, including but not limited to Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, disabled, and economically marginalized groups, have equitable opportunities to contribute to the cultural fabric of Central Alberta. We encourage submissions that reflect the rich diversity of our community, promote social justice, and inspire collective understanding.