We love YYC artists

Art is a big part of what makes Calgary great. It benefits the economy, creates jobs and makes our city more attractive, enjoyable and interactive.

Green Footprints Project by Patricia Lortie, Rasha Amen and Bill

We love our artists, and are excited to offer a range of opportunities to help them contribute to our city.

Opportunities for artists

Artists Working in Community is an eight-week course designed for professional artists to explore and develop a community-based public art practice. Artists will propose a project for the Sheldon M. Chumir Centre (2016’s community partner) that involves the public in the design/making of the project.

The proposals will be presented at an open community selection panel session and seven will be chosen to be completed.

Check out the call to artists to learn more including how to apply.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 22, 2016 at 10 a.m. 

Painted City artist roster

Artist:  Ricole Fedyna

Painted City covers any program or request where an artist applies 2D artwork to City-owned property. This includes our much-loved Utility Box Program; the new Street Art Program for Youth; plus banners, decals, murals and more.

We’re looking for artists to include on a roster eligible to create artworks for any Painted City opportunities. Full call to artists here.

The deadline to apply for the roster is Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 at 4 p.m.

Print Media Lead Artist 

To help develop an interest in creating public art in Calgary, the Utility Box Program and the Alberta Printmakers are joining efforts to create a mentorship program. This program has a lead artist with expertise in printmaking who will help up to 10 members of the Alberta Printmakers learn and develop new techniques.

The group will apply what they’ve learned by creating artworks for a pre-selected group of utility boxes, working with the local community to create art that is meaningful to them.

We’re looking for a lead artist for the partnership, with a call open to both local artists and those outside Calgary.

Deadline to apply is Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 4 p.m.

Artist Mark Eadie from Ink Smashed working on Print It Large

The mentees for the program will be chosen by Alberta Printmakers from their membership. Local artists interested in being mentored in printmaking techniques can become a member by joining at the Alberta Printmakers webpage.

Public Art Program Mentorships

As part of our commitment to provide a variety of opportunities for emerging public artists we will be offering up to five mentorship opportunities from June to December 2016.

These opportunities are designed to provide professional development for artists interested in pursuing a public art practice. Those chosen will have the chance to work with professional, world-renowned public artists working on large-scale projects in Calgary. They will have one-on-one meetings, shadow and assist their mentor when possible.

How to Make Bylaws Fly by Vincent Briere

The mentorship call will go out early next week. Watch our Opportunities for Artists page for more info including how to apply.

Reputation for award-winning public art

Calgary has seen a number of major benefits from supporting art and artists. This includes being named one of the top 52 places to visit in 2014 by the News York Times (number 17) because of our reputation for award-winning public art.

For more information on public art in Calgary visit calgary.ca/publicart.

Submitted by Lauren Greschner, Recreation