Community-Run Public Art Microgrant Program 2023
Applications closed
September 11, 2023: Full guidelines published
September 25, 2023: Applications open
November 3, 2023: Application deadline (no applications accepted after 4:30pm MT)
Mid to Late November 2023: Evaluation of applications
Early December 2023: Notification of results
December 2023: Funds distributed
Download the Guidelines as a PDF
Program Overview
Recognizing that public art opportunities can come from grassroots ideas that are initiated and led by communities, Calgary Arts Development invites proposals for community-run public art projects.
This opportunity is open to community-run organizations, including informal groups that define themselves in terms of distinct communities, neighbourhood associations and non-profit organizations or charitable organizations.
Community-run organizations in Calgary/Mohkinsstsis are invited to apply for funding to hire local artists and create public art in their neighbourhoods. Communities are required to team up with local artists at any level of experience to explore any form of public art in any part of the city.
Projects must address one of the following five themes:
- Foster truth & reconciliation
- Learn about the truth of Canadian colonization and its ongoing impact on First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
- Explore and create paths toward reconciliation and right relations with Indigenous peoples and the land.
- Art for Social Change
- Consider how art can be a force for social change. Investigate and develop a project that could transform people’s lives, even if on a small scale. Art as activism and activism as art.
- Uncover little-known stories about the city or overlooked histories
- Team up with artists, Indigenous Elders or historians to create a project that connects people to places and spaces in different ways.
- Celebrate overlooked people and events and the diversity or diverse learnings of your community.
- Restore or uncover names of places.
- Explore stories of your community
- Create and share stories of how local businesses or community organizations tell the story of where you live and what makes your community unique.
- Bring beauty, joy, whimsy and hope
- Art doesn’t have to be political or serious. Introduce whimsy, surprise and joy to your community.
We will only accept one application per group and only one application per project. You may not receive more than one Calgary Arts Development grant for the same project or phase of a project. Success in this program does not affect your eligibility to apply to other Calgary Arts Development grant investment programs for other projects.
This program cannot fund projects retroactively, meaning that projects that have begun before September 25, 2023 are not eligible.
Projects funded through this program must be completed by December 31, 2024.
Communities may apply for up to $10,000 to support eligible projects. Total funding available for this program is $300,000.
Need Help Applying?
We recognize that barriers within the arts community exist, particularly for equity seeking communities, and that there are many unique entry points into an artistic practice and career in the arts. If you are unsure about eligibility, please reach out to discuss this with the program specialist before applying. You’ll also find answers to some common questions in our Investment Program FAQ.
There are two policies available for potential applicants who may need accommodations or assistance to apply to this program, such as translating program guidelines and applications. These policies are available to potential applicants even if they decide not to apply to the program.
- An Accommodation & Accessibility Policy for potential applicants who experience barriers to access, to develop accommodations that suit their abilities and situations.
- The Application Assistance Policy for eligible applicants to alleviate some of the financial costs associated with preparing and submitting an application.
Calgary Arts Development is committed to open, fair and transparent processes. If you have any questions, want help with feedback on your application or if it’s your first time applying, please don’t hesitate to contact the program specialist as early as you can to ensure they can provide the best support possible. Staff can provide feedback on your application up to 10 days before application deadlines.
Information Session
The information session for this program will be held online on October 5, 2023, from 1 – 2:30pm, and a virtual open house will be held on October 20, 2023 from 9 – 10:30am. The purpose of these sessions is to provide more context about the community-run microgrants, including specific goals and criteria. It will also provide some approaches, examples and questions that might be helpful to consider when determining if you will apply and how best to do so.
If you have any questions or need any help completing an application, please contact Alex Lingnau, Project Lead, at alex.lingnau@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or 403.264.5330.
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