Calgary

The Common Ground Festival returns and its groovier than ever!! We are looking for submissions to celebrate Calgary's most talented artists and the joy of bringing new works of all shapes and sizes to the stage! If you've got a thing we've got a stage

The Common Ground Festival is a place for emerging and small professional artists to present and develop the work that they are passionate about. Since our inception in 2014, we have been honoured to show Calgary the work of over 300 early career artists. In 2018 we partnered with the Pumphouse Theatres, a longtime supporter of emerging and small professional artists in Calgary, in order to provide the best stage for our artists

We are now growing again as a festival to expand from not only emerging artists, indie-theatre and new works, but also more artistic disciplines. For this year’s festival we want to provide an artistically diverse and unique experience for our audience!

This includes what you would expect from Common Ground as well as more dance, physical storytelling and non-traditional story telling by emerging and small professional artists.

What we are looking for from submissions:

•  Theatrical physical story tellers: Dancers, Clowns, Mimes, Puppetry, etc.
• New works
• Anything you’ve ever wanted to perform but haven’t had a chance to yet.
• Have an unfinished piece or just a very short show that you want to try in front of an audience? There may also be a cabaret for short versions of works either complete or in progress.
• We also have a focus on artists from Calgary, Alberta

The Common Ground Festival is (and always will be) looking for innovative, experimental or original works that showcases authentic and creatively embodied stories. if you've got a thing, we’ve got a stage for you.

Deadline for submissions: July 31, 2025
How to submit: Fill out this form: forms.gle 

The festival will be happening from November 12 to 15, 2025 

Deadline to apply - September 20

Join our Annual Fall Art Exhibition & Sale on October 18 & 19, 2025.

Be part of a juried art show featuring up to 50 exceptional artists. Held at the Bridgeland Riverside Community Association, our event offers a professional, welcoming space for artists to showcase and sell their work directly to an engaged and art-loving community. We’re looking for artists who are passionate about sharing their work and who value connection, visibility and a vibrant atmosphere.

We encourage all painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramic, glass, jewelry and textile artists to Apply Now! 

Please visit our website to review an application / contract, our fee structure and much more. 

Deadline to submit is September 20 however applications are reviewed on a first come, first served rolling basis and artists are notified of their participation within 1-6 weeks.

Thanks for your consideration and happy creating!