The Transition
In March 2021, The City of Calgary announced Calgary Arts Development as the future steward and operator for Calgary’s public art program. Since that time, Calgary Arts Development has been working with The City on the transition of the program. You can learn more about this transition and what was heard during community engagement here.
A New Direction for Public Art in Calgary
As the city’s arts development authority, Calgary Arts Development is uniquely positioned to deliver and create a future public art program built upon our knowledge of, and strong relationships in, the arts community.
We will create a public art program that is engaging, relevant and accountable. A public art program for Calgary must reflect the rich diversity of the city, including connecting with Indigenous voices to tell the past, current and future stories of Calgary (Mohkinsstsis). We are committed to working with communities that have historically been underserved, and are guided by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
Some of our goals include streamlining the program so it is easier for artists to apply, ensuring that local artists are aware of opportunities to participate, creating connections between international artists and local artists to build capacity, shedding light on the many processes surrounding public art, its value and impact on our city. Our intent is to foster meaningful connections and dialogue between artists and communities, utilizing art in the public realm to reflect Calgary’s diverse stories and values.
We have built a public art team right here at home, with expertise and experience working on projects and in communities around the world. Our team will focus on engaging with artists, communities and Calgarians directly as we support public art projects throughout our city.
Visit our staff page to meet the Calgary Arts Development staff, including the public art team.
To reach the public art team, email us at publicart@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
Have questions about the transition? Download answers to our Frequently Asked Questions or visit the FAQ page.