Community News

Call to Artists: MNP Community & Sport Centre Public Art

Submission Deadline: October 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM (MDT)

MNP Community & Sport Centre is a world-class sport and fitness facility that inspires individuals and teams to be passionate about sport, people, and community. The Lindsay Park Sports Society (LPSS), overseeing the MNP Community & Sport Centre in Calgary, Alberta, invites professional local, national, and international artists or artist-led teams with public art experience to apply for Stage 1 of this two-stage public art competition as part of the Leisure Expansion Aquatics Project (LEAP). 

Adjacent to Lindsay Park and the Elbow River, the location of the MNP Community & Sport Centre provides a unique opportunity for artists to consider the role of the pool and the park in the social life of cities, as well as how the leisure and recreational activities at the Centre connect to this place known as Moh’kinstsis / Calgary. 

Public art at MNP Community & Sport Centre will:

• Demonstrate excellence in contemporary art
• Contribute to the identity of the project, facility, and place
• Offer welcoming and memorable experiences for visitors to MNP Community & Sport Centre

This public art call invites artists to explore the redeveloped MNP Community & Sport Centre in Calgary to creatively engage with ideas specific to the place and space, including how the public art:

• Connects to the project and the histories and stories of Lindsay Park and the surrounding area
• Plays on the sport and recreation activities that occur in the building every day
• Considers the importance of water to the project and its location on the Elbow River
• Understands Indigenous connections to the land and the river
• Is welcoming and fosters community interest and connectivity with neighbouring communities
• Contributes to the creation of memorable and inclusive spaces
• Considers the relationship between the interior life of the building and its connection to Lindsay Park and the pathways
• Integrates with the facility and contributes to a quality experience for people who use the performance sport and public recreation facilities

Artists are invited to submit their qualifications to create work for one and/or two identified sites. Alternate sites may also be considered if artists identify other key opportunities. One artist will be commissioned and work within the total public art project budget of $405,000 CAD (exclusive of all applicable taxes). This budget includes all costs directly associated with creating the artwork at all sites.

Indigenous, Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous artists with connections to the Treaty 7 region are encouraged to apply. Where applicable, preference will be given to Canadian applicants. 

Read the full Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) at  MNP LEAP Public Art - Call to Artists.

Image Credit: Architectural Rendering of South Entrance, GEC Architecture

At Contemporary Calgary, we believe that art sparks conversation, inspires critical thinking, and invites the exploration of new ideas. Guided by this vision, we strive to be a resource for our community while also welcoming new voices and expanding our reach.

Thanks to the generous support of Heather Edwards, we are proud to offer our space at an accessible rate—supporting the presentation of work that is relevant, meaningful, and thought-provoking.

Are you an arts and culture organization, collective, or individual hoping to bring your work to the stage? Do you want to realize your projects with all the equipment of a modern theatre? Contemporary Calgary is seeking community partners to bring engaging cultural experiences to the Heather Edwards Theatre as well as to contribute to the development of Calgary’s performing arts community.

We invite you to share your ideas for this space as we continue to build bridges across communities through shared experiences of contemporary art. If you have an idea and are interested in developing a partnership with us, please visit us at our website at https://www.contemporarycalgary.com/heather-edwards-theatre

Calgary based artist Rita McKeough has been named to receive the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta 2025 Distinguished Artists Award. She is expected to receive the awards’ patron in a ceremony held by Her Honour Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta on October 4, 2025.

McKeough has 15 works held in the AFA Art Collection. You can view two these works, Manifesto of Mittenism and Urban Uprising in the AFA art house exhibition, New Views.

About the Artist

Rita McKeough’s interdisciplinary practice spans sound, installation, performance, video, and kinetic sculpture and has significantly shaped the contemporary art landscape in Alberta and beyond. For over five decades, her career has been marked by an unwavering commitment to experimentation, mentorship, and pushing the boundaries of contemporary art in Canada. McKeough has exhibited across Canada and the USA in numerous solo and group exhibitions. Recent works include: Remediation Room (Online, Calgary, 2022–ongoing); feel through deepness to see (Dunlop Art Gallery 2024); darkness is as deep as the darkness is (Walter Phillips Gallery, Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, 2020); Veins (OBORO,Montreal, 2018), and Oh, Canada (MassMOCA, North Adams, 2015). In 2009 McKeough was awarded the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts.

About the Award

The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award is Alberta’s most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement in the arts.

About the AFA art house

The AFA art house, located in the heart of downtown Calgary, is a space to for Albertans to see, discover, and experience the unique stories the artists of Alberta have to share. The Gallery will showcase works from the AFA Art Collection as well as other works from Alberta artists. The AFA art house is free to access.

The Citadel Theatre invites submissions from visual artists based in Edmonton or the surrounding region to activate our new Light Wall, a striking 40-foot digital mural located in the lush, glass-enclosed Lee Pavilion in downtown Edmonton. This project is supported by the City of Edmonton’s Downtown Vibrancy Fund.

The artwork will be featured as part of Alberta Culture Days celebrations at Citadel Theatre from September 26 to 28, 2025, contributing to a nation-wide festival of arts and culture.

See full submission details on our website: https://citadeltheatre.com/artists/artist-programs-mentorship/call-for-visual-artists-digital-artwork-for-light-wall-activation/

PROJECT SCOPE

• Content Type: We are currently seeking existing digital still image artworks (not video or animation) from Edmonton-based artists that are suitable for display on a large-format digital screen.
• Programming: Images from multiple artists will be programmed to display periodically throughout the day during our 2025/26 Season, alternating with Citadel-branded content. We anticipate selecting 3–5 images, with the possibility of including additional works if budget allows.
• Viewing Context: The work will be visible from both the Lee Pavilion and the Maclab Theatre lobby. It should have strong visual impact from a distance while offering details that reward closer viewing.
• Atmosphere: Submissions should consider and complement the Pavilion’s architectural features, including glass, natural light, tropical plants, and steady public traffic. The work should provide visual interest without overwhelming the environment. Artists are encouraged to consider visual accessibility in their design. The Light Wall is visible from multiple angles and is located in an area with accessible pathways.
• Intention: The goal of this project is to activate the Pavilion with engaging, memorable visual art that connects with a wide range of visitors. This includes theatregoers, community members, and guests who may be visiting the space casually or for the first time. 

TECHNICAL GUIDELINES

• Format: High-resolution JPEG or PNG
• Dimensions: Minimum 3840 x 2160 pixels (4k)
• Orientation: Landscape only
• File Size: Maximum 4 MB per image
• Colour Mode: RGB
• Content Type: No video, animation, or audio content will be accepted for this call.
• Artists may submit up to 1 image for consideration. 

Honorarium: $750 per selected image. This fee covers artist time, licensing for a 12-month exhibition term, and any preparation of deliverables.

PROJECT TIMELINE

• Submission Deadline: September 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM (MDT)
• Artists Notified: September 12, 2025
• Launch: Anticipated to be September 26, 2025 (exact date/time TBD) 

ELIGIBILITY

This opportunity is open to: 

• Individual artists residing in Edmonton or surrounding regions.
• Artists working in any visual discipline, including but not limited to photography, illustration, digital painting, generative design, or mixed digital media.
• Artists must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission. 

Artists from equity-deserving communities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All submissions must be submitted online via email to citadeltheatremarketing@gmail.com with “VisualArtSubmission2025_Artist Name” as the subject line.

Please note: This email is for submissions only. We are unable to respond to questions about eligibility, requirements, or selection.

Each proposal should include: 

• Artist Statement (max. 300 words). Briefly introduce your artistic practice and approach.
• 1 Digital Image File. Final artwork intended for submission. Include title, year, medium, and a description for each (how the submitted work responds to the site and audience)
• Resume or Bio (max. 2 pages) 

For larger files (over 1MB), please provide a secure file-sharing link (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer) with appropriate permissions so we can access and download your materials. Ensure shared links are accessible without requiring special permissions or login.  

Please note: No in-person drop-offs or physical pieces will be considered. A high-resolution digital image must be created and submitted to be considered for this opportunity. 

SELECTION PROCESS

Proposals will be reviewed by a selection panel made up of Citadel Theatre staff. Selections will be based on: 

• Alignment with the theme and artistic approach
• Suitability for large-scale digital presentation
• Resonance with the Pavilion’s setting and atmosphere
• Technical feasibility and clarity of presentation 

Shortlisted artists may be contacted for clarification or minor revisions.  

RIGHTS & LICENSE

• Artists retain full copyright of their submitted works.
• Citadel Theatre will receive a non-exclusive, time-limited license to exhibit the work(s) on the Light Wall for 12 months, as well as to use images for marketing and documentation (with credit). Artists will be credited on the graphic as part of the display.
• Citadel Theatre retains the right to remove any artwork from display at any time during the licensing period. The Theatre may also add or modify surrounding content, such as branding or promotional materials, to meet programming or operational needs.
• The Citadel reserves the right to decline any work that does not meet display requirements or align with our commitment to safe, inclusive public space.

Note: Due to limited capacity, we will confirm receipt of all submissions but will only contact artists whose work has been selected.

The City of Kelowna invites local, national, and international professional artists, artist-led teams, and cultural makers working in diverse artistic mediums to submit their Expressions of Interest for several public art commissions that are part of Building a Stronger Kelowna (BSK), a group of recreational projects that work together to build deeper community connections across the city.

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 2 pm (PST) 

Building a Stronger Kelowna includes the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre, Mill Creek restoration, which is part of the Parkinson Recreation Centre site, and all-ages activity centres at Glenmore Rec Park, Rutland Lions Park, and Mission Rec Park. This suite of projects is a unique opportunity to develop a curatorial program of permanent and temporary artworks that will be original, inspired by Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley, and help tell the stories of this place.

Public art sites have not been determined yet and will evolve out of the integrated project delivery approach that is being used by the BSK team and this call for artists. Artists who apply to this call may be considered for public art commissions at any of the BSK locations. 

Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit artists and/or cultural makers with connections to the syilx Okanagan people’s territory are encouraged to apply.

Read the full Call to Artists at https://www.kelowna.ca/our-community/planning-projects/building-stronger-kelowna/building-stronger-kelowna-call-artists-0

City of Kelowna
1435 Water Street, Kelowna BC, V1Y 1J4
www.kelowna.ca
Artcalls@kelowna.ca 
250.469.8500

About the program

The Cultivating Indigenous Talent in the Arts (CITA) program will host a series of one-week mentorships from September 2025 to August 2026, providing 10 emerging Indigenous artists from remote Alberta communities with personalized guidance and professional development to help them build confidence in their craft while developing the necessary tools to grow their careers. The program will take place in Fort McMurray, Alberta, where each artist will receive direct mentorship from Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s experienced staff and will conclude with the delivery of a workshop, sharing their artistic skills with the local community.

Eligibility criteria

• Artist must reside in Alberta, preference to those living in remote regions.
• Artist must identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit, or Non-Status)
• Artist should be considered “emerging”, meaning they are in the early stages of their artistic career.
• Must be of age to travel and live alone for the duration of the program.

About the program

• Each artist will participate in a personalized one-week mentorship, where they will receive tailored mentorship from Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s experienced staff.
• Mentorship is focused on Portfolio Development, Artist Statement & Bio Writing, Marketing & Self-Promotion, Community engagement, Applying for Grants and Opportunities, Networking, and Workshop facilitation.
• At the end of each mentorship, the artist will host a public workshop to showcase their work and engage with the local community.
• ACWB will cover the cost of travel, accommodation, and per diem allowance for the selected artists.

Workshop media

The selected artists will host a community art workshop and must be able to teach and engage students in an artform or technique that they feel comfortable in. Artforms may include, but are not limited to:

• Painting/Drawing
• Ceramics
• Dance/Music (includes Drumming and traditional dances)
• Photography
• New Media Arts
• Traditional Indigenous Crafts (ie. beading, weaving, wood/hide burning etc.)
• Textiles
• Theatre/Acting
• Sculpture
• Woodworking
• Storytelling/Writing

Submitting a proposal

All submissions must be submitted through our online Opportunities Portal. Create an account, login and then click on the purple “Start Entry” button. You may begin drafting your proposal by selecting “Cultivating Indigenous Talent in the Arts (CITA)” as your category. Artists may be invited to a brief interview, as a part of the selection process. 

Submission deadline

Submissions must be submitted by Monday, August 4, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Selection process

The artists will be selected for an interview on the strength and content of their applications. Only applicants who identify as Indigenous will be considered for this mentorship program and must be willing to travel to Fort McMurray, Alberta for the duration of a week.

Please note that only artists(s) who are successful will be notified.

Selections will be made by Arts Council Wood Buffalo staff. All successful artists will be notified by August 8, 2025 for an interview and selected artists to continue into the program will be notified within 5 business days of their interview.

Questions and more information

For questions or more information on this opportunity please contact our Rural Arts Support Program Coordinator, Michelle Foran at michelle@artscouncilwb.ca or (587) 674-1625 x.106

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