Indigenous Local Artists
The deadline for this call for submissions has passed.
Deadline: May 25, 2018, at 5:00pm MST
Through its collections, the Calgary Public Library provides access to a wide range of expressions of imagination, knowledge, creativity, intellectual activity and thought, in a welcoming and supportive environment. The library also does this by providing space to local community artists for the display of their work. This free exhibit space enables library visitors to participate in the creative life of their community and presents community artists with a valued avenue for exhibiting their work locally.
The library is pleased to provide free space for art exhibits which reflect the diverse cultural interests of the city and its neighbourhoods, and which foster community and individual expression.
Description of Opportunity
At the Calgary Public Library, we are looking to feature 11 local Indigenous artists for the month of June. We have 10 (two art installations available at one library) public libraries available to showcase indigenous art across the city of Calgary. This invitation comes at no cost to the artist and welcomes the opportunity to showcase and promote their work. Wall space is provided at most locations, easels may be required at specific locations.
We invite artists to bring Indigenous identities, histories, cultures, languages, traditions, principles, worldviews, relationships and ways of knowing to the general public through the library. The Calgary Public Library has an important place to play in the reconciliation process by bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together in a culturally safe space and helping to facilitate public education on residential schools and the impacts to Canada’s Indigenous communities. To accompany the art displays we will feature books of Indigenous art and by Indigenous authors as well as languages and stories.
An honorarium will be provided to the selected artists to help cover transportation costs and set up time.
For the artists selected please be free the week of May 28 to June 1, 2018, for art installations at various Library locations.
This Invitation:
- To foster a supportive environment for Indigenous artists in Calgary.
- To provide space for Indigenous artists to showcase their work.
- To honour the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples within Treaty 7 Territory.
- To respond to the Calls to Action of White Goose Flying – A Report to City Council on the Indian Residential School Truth and Reconciliation.
- To invite Indigenous artists to address representation within the general public.
Applies to art exhibits that are offered by individuals, community organizations, or community groups for display on library premises.
To apply please provide the following:
- Contact information
- Information on the artwork
- Samples
- Specific directives
In every case, the library and the exhibitor or the exhibiting group’s representative will sign a formal written contract which will detail the rights and responsibilities of each party. A copy of this contract can be found by visiting calgarylibrary.ca/space-contract.
All exhibits must be presented appropriately for public display and according to the requirements of the library as described in the Use of Library Space for Exhibits guidelines and any specific requirements of the branch where the exhibit is placed. Review the exhibits policy by visiting calgarylibrary.ca/exhibits-policy.
Completed applications, including samples, must be submitted by email or in person in order to be considered for library art exhibits.
Selected artists will be given one-month showings. Depending on the response, some artists may be asked to exhibit more than once.
Patrons interested in purchasing a work must contact the artist directly.
Art Exhibit Selection Criteria:
- The work must be compatible with Calgary Public Library’s mission, vision and values, which can be obtained at any Calgary Public Library branch.
- The work must be consistent with the principle of respect for the dignity and worth of all people.
- The work must be original (that is, not copies of works by other visual artists, whether paintings, photographs, illustrations, etc.).
- The work must be suitable in scale, material, form, subject and content for the library environment.
- The work must be ready for display/hanging. As space is limited, it may not be possible to display all art work that is acceptable under the Art Exhibit guidelines. That is not in contravention of federal or provincial laws and regulations or which do not contain advertisements or solicitations for recruitment, business or fund raising. Exhibit space is offered subject to availability and taking into account the library’s own needs, especially the necessity to maintain all usual library functions and operations throughout the period of the exhibit.
- Exhibits are unsupervised and are accessible to the public throughout library open hours, except when the space is required for library purposes.
- Insurance is provided. It includes theft, fire, smoke and water damage for exhibit items for which the exhibitor has provided a written value and which the library accepts.
- The library reserves the right to request an appraisal for any exhibit item.
- The library retains the right to determine the suitability of any proposed exhibit for display on its premises and has final authority over the review, selection and arrangement of all public exhibitions on its premises.
- The library reserves the right to reject any part of an exhibit or to change the manner of display. In particular, exhibits must be reviewed within the context of the public space and its users.
- The library may require the removal of any item during the period of the exhibit.
Facilities and Equipment
- Art must be display ready, in order to make sure they are safe and well-cared for at the library.
- Paper pieces framed.
- Canvases, if unframed, have finished edges.
- If the artwork is in a non-traditional format or left unframed/unfinished by design, the artist must present ideas on how to display on the art wall.
- Each piece should be labeled on the back with the name of artist and title of the piece for easy identification.
- Exhibitors are responsible for the delivery, installation and removal of their exhibits, as well as the means for hanging their work (picture hooks, chains, etc)
Publicity
- Calgary Public Library will publicize exhibits, where possible, in the library’s program guide and on the library website.
- Any publicity that artists wish to have posted in the library must be approved in advance by the Service Delivery Manager in the location at which the work will be exhibited.
Accountability
The Service Delivery Manager in each location is responsible for art exhibits that are presented at Calgary Public Library.
The deadline to apply is May 25, 2018, at 5:00pm MST.
Applications must be emailed to teneya.gwin@calgarylibrary.ca or in person call to schedule a meeting 403.221.2073.
If you have any questions, please contact us and we will do our best to support you in the application process 403.221.2073.
