Artist Call: Art for Social Change Facilitation
October 21, 2024: Call published and applications open
November 14, 2024: Artist proposal deadline
November 21, 2024: Notification of results
December 5, 2024: Artist facilitation of breakout rooms at the Living a Creative Life Congress (1:45 – 3:15pm with a short report-back at 4pm)
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the land we gather on, Mohkinsstsis, is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. Today this land is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 5 and 6 as well as many First Nations and Inuit from across Turtle Island.
We acknowledge that there has been art, music, dance, storytelling and ceremony on this land since time immemorial and it is in the spirit of this land and its people that we do our work.
Application Assistance
Calgary Arts Development is committed to open, fair and transparent processes. Our Applicant Support & Accessibility Policy is available Information for anyone who may need support to apply to this Artist Call.
We recognize that the application process can create barriers to access for many applicants who are interested in applying. Our Artist Calls are written in English, shared online and require applicants to email their applications in English. This creates technological, linguistic, communication and cultural barriers, to name a few.
In recognition of these barriers to access, eligible applicants can request assistance to help alleviate some of the costs associated with preparing and submitting an application. Please reach out directly by email at info@calgaryartsdevelopment.com for more information.
Invitation
Calgary Arts Development is looking for five artists (individuals or collectives) whose artistic and creative practice centres around Art for Social Change to each lead a 90-minute breakout session at this year’s Living a Creative Life Congress.
These artist-led sessions will take place in an event space within the Calgary Public Library and we estimate that there will be approximately 30 people in your breakout session. The breakout session will take place on December 5, 2024 from 1:45 – 3:15pm with a short report back at 4pm in the Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall. Note: Artists will be provided time and access to their breakout room prior and after their facilitation.
We are looking for five artists (individuals or collaboratives) who are prepared to lead a hands-on activity, whether that is art-making or some other kind of hands-on exercise that explores the question: What does Blue Sky City mean to you and how might Calgary live up to its potential as a true blue sky city?
Blue Sky City is the new brand for Calgary and there are three truths behind this new brand:
- We all live under the same blue sky: The sky belongs to all of us equally. When the sky looks down on us it cannot differentiate between ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or any other facets of our being. To the sky, we are all equal.
- Calgary is a place of unexpected possibilities: Blue sky thinking is called that for a reason. Calgarians look up at the sky and imagine what is possible. And lucky for us, Calgary is a place where the sky reminds us that anything is possible.
- Calgary has more blue sky days than any city in Canada: Calgary’s blue skies are an inarguable attribute of our location, and because of that, it creates a strong foundation for our brand story. Calgary is home to 333 days of sun.
After the break-out session, the facilitators are asked to present a report-back of the session to all Congress attendees. We anticipate about 150 people will attend.
This Artist Call is open to all levels of artists, from emerging and mid-career to established artists whose practice is focused on Art for Social Change and delivered through a lens of reconciliation and equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
About the Living a Creative Life Congress
Since 2011, Calgary Arts Development has been hosting the Living a Creative Life Congress (previously called the Arts Champions Congress) as an opportunity for artists, arts professionals, audiences, advocates, citizens, organizers and funders to gather together and nurture a collaborative, resilient and innovative arts ecosystem in Calgary.
This year, the Living a Creative Life Congress takes place on December 4 & 5, 2024, at the Calgary Public Library, with a focus again on Art for Social Change. Last year our guiding question was: How might artists lead the way to a more equitable, inclusive and accessible city where everyone belongs? This year we are exploring this question through the lens of being a blue sky city.
How to Apply
Interested artists should send a one-page proposal outlining who they are, why they are interested and how they would like to lead a breakout session.
Please indicate your interest by emailing info@calgaryartsdevelopment.com with your one-page proposal. Please use the subject line: Art for Social Change Artist Call.
For best consideration, please address the following in your one-page proposal:
- Introduce yourself and your artistic/creative practice
- Why you are interested in facilitating a breakout session on the question “What does Blue Sky City mean to you and how might Calgary live up to its potential as a true blue sky city?”
- How you will lead a 90-minute breakout session
NOTE: Artists may also be nominated by a peer or citizen to facilitate a breakout room during the Living a Creative Life Congress. The nomination should answer the following questions:
- Who is the artist and their artistic/creative practice?
- Why you are nominating them?
- What is an example of a past facilitation that you have been part of or witnessed the artist(s) do?
Applicants will be notified of decision by email by November 21, 2024.
Evaluation of Submissions
The congress co-design team will select five artists from the submissions received.
Compensation
An individual artist will be compensated $500. An artist collective will be compensated $1,000 for facilitating a breakout session. We will also offer up to $100 for materials if a receipt is provided.
Commitment to Equity
Calgary Arts Development is committed to the process of eliminating institutional racism, ableism and barriers in our programs, policies and practices by centring the creativity and leadership of those communities most impacted by structural inequities. Read our full Commitment to Equity statement on our website.
Contact
If you have any questions about this Artist Call, please email helen.moore-parkhouse@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
