RFP for Photography and Videography Services: Niitsitapi/Blackfoot Exhibition
Glenbow
Closing Date: October 10, 2025, before 4pm MT
Glenbow-Alberta Institute (“Glenbow”) is seeking proposals from qualified Niitsitapi/Blackfoot creators (see Eligibility Criteria below) to provide professional photography and/or videography services. The assets resulting from this scope of work will be on display in Glenbow’s new Niitsitapi/Blackfoot Exhibition. The assets will accompany stories and themes identified by the exhibition curators: a community of Blackfoot Elders.
Date Issued: September 22, 2025
Proposal Deadline: October 10, 2025
Expected Deliverables: Edited digital photographs/videos and raw files, capturing significant sites and skies around Alberta and northern Montana, portraits and events.
Dates: A schedule of phased deliverables will be submitted quarterly throughout the year: Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 and Summer 2026.
Content: Landscape photography of specific sites, some of which must be taken in all four seasons. Other photography includes: the Blackfoot phases of the moon; community at specific Indigenous events; portraits of storytellers, Elders and young people; and other documentation as requested.
Proposals for photography services only, videography services only, and combined photography/videography services will be considered.
Introduction and Background
Glenbow is one of Canada’s leading art museums—a nationally recognized innovator in arts, culture, and
education, with a deep commitment to reconciliation and decolonizing museum practices. For nearly 60
years, Glenbow has played a vital role in Calgary’s arts and culture landscape. The museum’s diverse and
expansive collection of over 250,000 artworks, objects, and cultural belongings—including the largest
public art collection in Western Canada—sets it apart from other museums and galleries in the country.
Since 2021, Glenbow has been closed to the public as it undergoes a complete reimagination, renovating its 1970s building in downtown Calgary to create an open, accessible, and dynamic community hub. This
transformation marks an exciting new chapter for the museum, driven by a mandate for radical
accessibility. Thanks to the Shaw Family Foundation’s $35 million donation, Glenbow will become the first
major museum in Canada to offer free general admission—permanently removing financial barriers to
access. In recognition of this transformative support, Glenbow’s revitalized building will be renamed the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture.
Glenbow has engaged Event Experience Design Agency to provide exhibition design services for the
opening suite of exhibitions. The exhibition program will include a reimagined version of the original
Niitsitapiisini: Our Way of Life exhibit exploring Blackfoot history and culture, curated by Blackfoot Elders
with Gerald McMaster.
Scope of Work
This project is divided into 5 zones, each with essential requirements. Additional details and specifics will be shared at the contract phase of work:
- Zone 1A
- 20 landscape sites across Blackfoot territory (central and southern Alberta, and northern Montana), each photographed in all four seasons.
- Zone 1B
- 9 evening/night photographs capturing the Blackfoot phases of the moon
- Zone 2
- 1 panoramic feature of a landscape captured at multiple times of day
- 8 photographs of community (to be determined)
- Documentation of Buffalo Harvest (photography and/or film, to be determined)
- Zone 3
- 5 portraits of storytellers (to be determined)
- Zone 4
- Photographs of events: Indian Relay, Pow Wow gathering, hand games, traditional craftmaking, bison (close-ups, running, herds, throughout various seasons)
- Zone 5
- 8 portraits of Blackfoot Elders
- 15 portraits of youth
Project Timeline
Timeline Milestone
- September 22, 2025 RFP issued
- October 10, 2025 Submission deadline
- October 14, 2025 Candidate interviews begin
- November 1, 2025 Consultant selected and onboarding starts
- December 5, 2025 Fall deliverables are due
- TBD with Photographer Winter / Spring / Summer deliverables
Commitment
In providing this invitation, Glenbow commits to consider the merits of each Proposal in keeping with the
criteria set out in this RFP.
There is no other intention of commitment by Glenbow, who at their sole and absolute discretion may reject any or all submissions, or cancel and withdraw this RFP. Glenbow may, at their sole and absolute discretion, waive any non-conformance or non-compliance with the requirements set forth in this RFP. Glenbow reserves the right not to accept any proposal or not to accept the proposal with the lowest fees.
Compliance, Contracts, and Meetings
Proponents may not amend or waive any of the terms of this RFP. This RFP details the scope of services
required, submission and experience requirements, and selection criteria. No other understanding or
agreement, collateral, oral or otherwise, exist.
All questions, comments, and submissions relating to this RFP shall be addressed to Joanne Schmidt,
Curator, Indigenous Studies & World Cultures, via email to jschmidt@glenbow.org.
Queries and comments will be accepted up to end of business on October 1, 2025.
Responses, queries, and any other supplemental comments or changes to this RFP will be distributed via
addendum distributed through Calgary Arts Development and posted on Glenbow’s website, available to all Proponents, by end of business October 6, 2025.
Information obtained from any source other than the Contact Person will not form part of this RFP and
cannot be relied upon. Glenbow retains the right to decline to answer a given enquiry. Enquiries and
responses will be recorded and may in Glenbow’s discretion be distributed to all Proponents, or Glenbow
may keep either or both the enquiry and response confidential if in the judgement of Glenbow it is fair or
appropriate to do so. If the query is pertinent to all Proponents, then all Proponents will be advised.
Submission Requirements
Proponents must provide their submission to Glenbow via email and/or by secure FTP site access (for files too large for email) on or before the RFP closing date. Electronic copies must be saved in pdf format and stored as a single consolidated document.
Proposals will be received via email to, Attention: Joanne Schmidt, Curator, Indigenous Studies & World Cultures, Glenbow at jschmidt@glenbow.org. Subject Line: CONFIDENTIAL – Niitsitapi Exhibition Photography Services RFP
Closing Date: October 10, 2025, before 4pm MT
