2021 Community-Run Public Art Microgrant Recipients Calgary Arts Development is proud to announce the 11 recipients of our first Community-Run Public Art Microgrant program. Recognizing that public art opportunities can come from grassroots ideas that are initiated and led by communities, Calgary Arts Development invited proposals for community-run public art projects through September and October, 2021. Community groups could apply for up to $10,000 from a total funding pool of $100,000, to hire local artists for eligible projects. The program seeks to support local artists that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing an opportunity for community-initiated public art to inspire Calgarians. Applications were reviewed by an independent selection committee, and the following projects were selected: Community Organization: Alliance of Calgary Community Ethnic Support Society Artist: Yiting Hui Project Name: Dim Sum Sends Brief Project Description: A mural in Chinatown to promote Chinese culture by highlighting traditional fruits, vegetables, and utensils often found in Southeast Asian homes and restaurants. This mural will act as a catalyst for Calgarians and the next generation to understand our heritage, habits, rituals, and tradition. Community Organization: Renfrew Community Hall Artist: Billy Rae Busby Project Name: Renfrew Community Hall South Patio Mural Project Brief Project Description: A mural at Renfrew Community Hall south patio, to beautify and establish an engaging public space at the Renfrew Community Hall. Community Organization: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Association Artist: Rawry & Pohly Project Name: Qingming Festival Project Brief Project Description: To create a participatory experience that celebrates the Qingming Festival through tea tasting and art in April 2022. Community Organization: Hidden Valley Community Association (HVCA) Artist: Nathan Patrick Meguinis, Maya Corona, John Langeveld and Katelyn Kempthorne Project Name: Hidden Valley: Inspire our Future Brief Project Description: The project entails creating art based on two specific themes and transferring them onto vinyl graphics to wrap several traffic light utility boxes and outdoor community refuse bins in high-traffic areas throughout the community. Community Organization: Mount Pleasant Community Association Artist: Conz AKA Enoch Project Name: Community Engagement Mural Brief Project Description: A mural project on the corner of the community association building. Community Organization: North Haven Community Association Artist: TBD Project Name: North Haven Nose Hill Entrance Mural Brief Project Description: A mural referencing the Indigenous history of Nose Hill, installed in a pedestrian tunnel entrance to Nose Hill, by an Indigenous artist. Community Organization: Pamir Canadian Multiculturalism Council Artist: Momend Khan Project Name: Stand for the local Artists and Human interaction/social discourse Brief Project Description: Two musical gatherings supporting Afghan culture, welcoming Afghan refugees to Calgary, and providing diverse community members the opportunity to interact, engage and promote multiculturalism. Community Organization: Safehouse Society for Innovation and Creativity Artist: Amber Skye Cox Project Name: Beyond Resiliency Brief Project Description: Short documentary film for public screening sharing stories of successful Indigenous people to create a greater depth of understanding. Community Organization: Uphill Projects Artist: Tiffany Wollman Project Name: Nose Hill Entrance Mural-phase two Brief Project Description: This project will translate the names of plants and flowers in a recently-completed mural into several Indigenous languages. The goal is to make the connections to the Indigenous history of Nose Hill more explicit with the inclusion of the Blackfoot language in the mural, and to recognize all the Treaty 7 nations by having translations in all languages available online. Community Organization: Kitchen Feminism Art Society Artist: Shannon Smith Project Name: Moving Pictures Brief Project Description: To work with diverse women using collaborative theatre techniques in order to create a series of short videos exploring the ways in which women’s societal roles have changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The videos will be displayed in an online gallery, as well as at a public screening event. Community Organization: Banff Trail Community Association Artist: Irvin Tom Manyguns Project Name: Banff Trail Blackfoot Art Installation Brief Project Description: To develop and install a Blackfoot Indigenous piece of art on the exterior of the Banff Trail Community Hall. Recipients of this microgrant are expected to complete their projects by September 30, 2022. Keep an eye on our website for future opportunities.
