Call for Indigenous Artists for PAID Residency Opportunity
Sparrow Arts Society | Pokaiks Reconciliation Society
Deadline to apply: April 15, 2026
Call for Indigenous Artists for the Telling Our Stories Residency
Pokaiks Reconciliation Society and Sparrow Arts Society invite applications from Indigenous artists living in Treaty 7 area to apply for the Telling Our Stories Residency at Sparrow Artspace in Calgary.
This two-month residency (December 2026 and January 2027) includes:
- A shared studio and exhibition space
- Opportunities to present workshops and artist talks
- Participation in community projects
- Collaboration with other artists
Telling Our Stories invites Indigenous artists in the Treaty 7 region to share stories through art. The theme centres visual storytelling as a way of expressing lived experience, cultural knowledge, memory, identity and connection to land and community. Artists are encouraged to interpret “story” broadly —through image, material, process, symbolism or narrative — drawing from personal, ancestral or contemporary perspectives. While the residency is primarily focused on visual art, other art forms such as literary, performance or media arts are also welcome.
Six artists will be selected by Pokaiks Reconciliation Society. In our selection, we will be looking for a variety of art forms (primarily visual art with the openness to performers, writers or filmmakers), diversity of backgrounds and experiences. We will also be selecting an artist who would also like to be the lead artist(s) who will organize the residency along with all the administrative tasks involved including scheduling events, art talks, marketing including social media and workshops.
Once the artists are selected, we will arrange a series of meetings so that the artists can connect, share their ideas and art, and work together to organize and plan their residency. To encourage this, we will invite the artists to co-create a collaborative piece centered around the TELLING OUR STORIES theme which may begin to take shape through discussions in our early meetings.
At one of the earlier meetings, we will invite an Indigenous Elder to share their story. This will be a great way to learn and begin sharing perspectives and finding unexpected connections which may help to inform the rest of the residency.
Through the collaborative project, we are excited to see how each artist’s practice evolves alongside with other artists — influenced by the shared stories, and deeper mutual understanding. We hope that this collaborative project not only fosters meaningful artistic partnerships and encourages artists to step beyond their habitual practices, but also inspires new voices and ways of expression while engaging critical dialogues and co-creating.
Sparrow Arts Society and Pokaiks Reconciliation Society will also attend these meetings to support the artists and mentor them through the residency process as needed. The artists will sign a residency agreement with Sparrow Arts Society which will include the details of the space, as well at agreement with Pokaiks Reconciliation Society which will outline expectations and artists compensation plan and procedures.
The artists will have the opportunity to exhibit existing work related to the theme and/or create new pieces before and during the residency term. The two-month residency will be from December 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. In this time, the artists can use the space to work in and create new work in the space. The artists will present an exhibition which could change throughout the term and will have both an Opening and Closing Reception. The artists will engage with the community by being open to the public with some of the artists in attendance Thursday to Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm, present artists talks (three, with two artists each), six workshops (one per artist), and create the opportunity for visitors to the space to participate in a community art piece (drop-in in public hours). During the residency the artists will also collaborate together to create one collaborative art piece.
In February 2027, the artists will work together with Pokaiks Reconciliation Society to present the results of their residency in a report as well as fill out Sparrow Arts Society’s EXIT survey.
For more information visit Telling Our Stories Residency Application — SPARROW ARTSPACE
