The City of Calgary would like to commission one large Blackfoot Confederacy artwork created by a female or two-spirit artist of any gender to exhibit in Calgary’s City Council Chambers. This artwork must be a textile such as beadwork, quillwork, weaving, felting, applique or another textile.

Artworks from Stoney Nakoda, Tsuut’ina Nation and Metis Nation Region 3 will also be commissioned for this initiative.

The Council Chambers Indigenous Art Initiative aims to celebrate Indigenous women and two-spirit people of any gender and centres on those who should be most protected and honoured in our communities.

Art by the first peoples of Mohkinsstsis hung prominently in the place where City Council meets to make decisions will serve as a reminder that Indigenous people lived on this land long before Scottish settlers named it Calgary, and that every Calgarian has a role to play in acknowledging the past and working toward a brighter future.

Artists should provide examples of past work for the selection process. The chosen artist or artist team will be paid to create a new textile artwork.

Free artist information sessions for those interested in applying are available. These sessions are meant to answer your questions and are not mandatory. For dates, times and locations, email Cheyenne Naatoíyiki McGinnis at indigenousbusyness@gmail.com.

For more information and to apply, visit calgary.ca/artistopportunities.