Arts opportunity

The City of Calgary Public Art Program invites members of the Blackfoot Confederacy to apply for this curatorial opportunity. Individuals with curatorial experience are encouraged to apply. This opportunity is open to Blackfoot/Blackfeet curators. Individual artists or artist teams/collectives are eligible. 

The selected Blackfoot/Blackfeet curator/curatorial team will work closely with the Public Art team (curators, conservators, public art liaisons and collections specialists) to create an exhibit of four to 12 artworks/art objects created by Blackfoot/Blackfeet artists (the curator’s own artwork will not be allowed to be included). The exhibit will be available for communities and schools to book to learn about and connect with Blackfoot/Blackfeet culture through art. 

The selected curator will work with the Indigenous curator to create a theme and select the artworks to be included in the exhibit. They will also be responsible for other aspects of the public art exhibit, including but not limited to: 

• Budgeting (according to a set budget) 
• Artist visits 
• Exhibit design (including helping to create portable containers that keep artworks safe during transport) 
• Curatorial writing 

Who: Curators from the Blackfoot Confederacy Nations interested in curating a travelling exhibit. 

What: Curate a Blackfoot educational travelling exhibit for the City of Calgary public art collection. 

Where: Hybrid work, online research, in-person research, events as needed, regular meetings with City of Calgary public art staff. 

Deadline to apply: April 18, 2025, 430 pm 

Project start: May 19, 2025 

Project end: Dec. 31, 2025 

How much: Curatorial fee of $12,000 + GST. * This does NOT include an artwork purchase budget. 

Artist information sessions: 

For those interested in applying, free online and in-person artist information sessions are available. Please email indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca for dates, times and locations. Attendance is not mandatory to qualify for this opportunity. 

How to apply: 

Full submission details and evaluation criteria can be downloaded here or viewed on The City’s website. The deadline to apply is April 18, 2025.  

Questions and clarifications: 

Submit all questions in writing to indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca before 4:00 p.m. MST on April 11, 2025. 

The City of Calgary recognizes and values equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and unique dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, work style, communication style, learning preferences and others.  

Improv for Kids - Orange Hub

Information and register here!

Live far from the Grindstone? Not to worry! Grindstone Theatre School is now also in The Orange Hub!

Don’t miss our Orange Hub classes starting in April! Improv 101B, Acting 101B and Stand Up 101B! We even have an opportunity for youth to take part in Improv for Kids running at The Orange Hub location this spring!

Have you ever wondered how people are able to make up a whole play just using a word from the audience? Join your very own improv troupe where you will learn the basics of improv to create fun and fantastical stories together! Then invite your friends and family to share what you’ve learned.

No experience necessary! All you need to bring is your imagination! This course is designed to be repeated as the material changes each term.

Dates: Apr 5, 2025 - Jun 7, 2025

• Total of 10 sessions
• Price:$190.80

This initiative builds on the commitment by the Canada Council for the Arts to address historical funding imbalances experienced by Alberta’s arts communities. Past related efforts have included organizing in-person outreach sessions in Lethbridge, Canmore, Edmonton and Calgary, including dedicated sessions for artists and arts organizations from Indigenous, Deaf and disability and racialized communities.

Starting in the spring of 2025, two Alberta-based arts liaison consultants will be retained to establish an on-the-ground presence for the Canada Council in Alberta. The consultants will engage with communities across the province to increase awareness of and access to funding opportunities and provide the Council with field intelligence with a view to ensuring impactful support of Alberta’s arts sector.

This latest two-year initiative will build on the Council’s previous investment in programs like Future Focus in Calgary and Invent and Adapt in Edmonton. Through ongoing collaboration with the Alberta arts sector, this initiative will expand the Council’s reach and impact in Alberta for the benefit of the entire arts ecosystem.

Learn more: canadacouncil.ca/about/requests-for-proposals

The City of Calgary Public Art Program invites members of the Tsuut’ina First Nation to apply for this paid curatorial mentorship opportunity. Individual artists who are interested in curation are encouraged to apply. Prior curatorial experience is not required. This opportunity is open to Tsuut’ina nation members. 

The selected Tsuut’ina individual will work closely with the Public Art team (curators, collection specialists, conservators, liaisons) to create an exhibit of four to 12 artworks/art objects created by Tsuut’ina artists (the curator’s own artwork will not be allowed to be included). The exhibit will be available for communities and schools to book to learn about and connect with Tsuut’ina culture through art. 

With the guidance of the Indigenous curator, the selected artist will create a theme and select the artworks to be included in the exhibit. They will also learn about what is required to put together a public art exhibit, including but not limited to: 

• Budgeting (according to a set budget) 
• Artist visits 
• Exhibit design (including helping to create portable containers that keep artworks safe during transport) 
• Curatorial writing 

Who: Tsuut’ina nation members – artists and individuals interested in gaining work experience as a curator. 

What: Curate a Tsuut’ina educational travelling exhibit for The City of Calgary public art collection. 

Where: Hybrid work, online research, in-person research and events as needed, regular meetings with City of Calgary public art staff. 

Deadline to apply: April 18, 2025 

Project start: May 19, 2025 

Project end: Dec. 31, 2025 

How much: Curatorial fee of $7,000 + GST * This does NOT include an artwork purchase budget. 

Artist information sessions: 

For those interested in applying, free online and in-person artist information sessions are available. Please email indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca for dates, times, and locations. Attendance is not mandatory to qualify for this opportunity. 

How to apply: 

Full submission details and evaluation criteria can be downloaded here or viewed on The City’s website. The deadline to apply is April 18, 2025.  

Questions and clarifications: 

Submit all questions in writing to indigenouspublicart@calgary.ca before 4:00 p.m. MST on April 11, 2025. 

The City of Calgary recognizes and values equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and unique dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, work style, communication style, learning preferences and others.  

The Strathcona County Art Collection Advisory Committee invites artists to submit their artwork for consideration to be purchased. 

Feb 15 - May 15, 2025

New for 2025! The program has expanded eligibility:

• residents of Strathcona County
• artists who identify as an equity deserving group residing within Treaty 6*
• artists who have significant connections to the County
• artists who have been part of a juried art exhibition or public art project with Strathcona County

www.strathcona.ca/recreation-events/arts-and-culture/public-art/art-acquisition

*Equity deserving groups: Women, Indigenous peoples, visible/racialized minority persons, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ persons

Image Credit: Mirage: Stairway to Oinky's, Erik Johnson, 2023. From the 2024 Annual Acquisition.