Northeast Mini Galleries 2026 – 2027

If you experience accessibility, cultural or language barriers, this program provides support for:

• Understanding our programs and eligibility
• Creating and submitting applications and throughout the project if successful
• Project updates

We will work one-on-one with applicants and develop accommodation through conversations and check-ins. Our team can assist you over the phone, in-person or online. Help is available for applicants even if they choose not to apply.

To learn what kind of support is available, please review the Applicant Support & Accessibility Policy to learn about which services you can request.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please reach out to the project lead, Tiffany Wollman, at tiffany.wollman@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or 403.264.5330 ext. 106.

Please ensure you review the complete guidelines by referring to each section below for important program details. You will find links to all our policies and other relevant information at the end of this document.

The Northeast Mini Galleries Public Art Program includes 10 mini galleries, located at different community associations:

1. Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association 
2. Winston Heights-Mountview Community Association 
3. Crossroads Community Association 
4. The Livingston Homeowners Association 
5. Beddington Heights Community Association 
6. Falconridge/Castleridge Community Association 
7. Marlborough Park Community Association 
8. Temple Community Association 
9. Rundle Community Association 
10. Genesis Centre (TBC)

The mini galleries feature three exhibitions involving 30 artists throughout the year — each exhibition showcases 10 local artists, selected by a local curator, for four months. Artists who have previously been selected are eligible to apply for this new one-year period. Artists can only participate in one of the three exhibitions:

• Spring/Summer: June 1, 2026 – September 25, 2026 
• Fall/Winter: October 5, 2026 – January 22, 2027
• Winter/Spring: February 1, 2027 – May 21, 2027 

We welcome artists at any stage of their career who live in Calgary and work in two-dimensional and three-dimensional mediums (e.g., painting, drawing, printmaking, graphic design, illustration, fibre, photography, digital art, ceramics, small sculpture, etc.) to apply.

Artists are required to submit digital images of existing, original artworks that tell their stories of culture, community and place.  

Artists are encouraged to share their connection to northeast communities in their application, as curators may choose to prioritize those with a connection to a northeast community based on their curatorial vision.

Selected artists will be notified two months prior to the upcoming exhibition. Artists will work with the curator to set the date and time of their installation and deinstallation. Installation will occur during the last weekend of the month before the exhibition begins. Artists must be available to install and deinstall their artwork from the mini gallery in which their artwork is exhibited.

Artists will be paid $1,075 (not including GST) for participation in the Mini Gallery exhibition. This aligns with 2026 CARFAC rates for solo exhibitions of a single work/small site.

New Mini Gallery Design

The mini galleries have been redesigned to be more secure and to better highlight the artworks inside. Simplified forms and bright colours will help draw attention to the galleries, while ensuring the structure feels approachable within urban and community settings.

There are two large viewing windows to see the artwork and a window panel on the top of the gallery to increase natural light. There will be an easel insert for flat two-dimensional artworks, and plinths available for three-dimensional artworks. The mini galleries are 155 cm (61 inches) tall.

Submitted artworks must fit within the dimensions of a mini gallery: 

• Maximum interior dimensions:
  • 48.4 x 52 x 40.6 cm (18.25 x 20.5 x 16 inches) (h x w x d)
• Top opening dimensions:
  • 34.3 x 31.1 cm (13.5 x 12.25 inches) (w x d) and 45 cm (17.75 inches) (diagonal)
• Viewing windows dimensions:
  • 40.6 x 40.6 cm (16 x 16 inches) (h x w)

Maximum artwork size:

• Recommended 2D artworks maximum size:
  • 35.6 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm (14 x 14 x 1 inches) (h x w x d)
• Recommended 3D artworks maximum size:
  • 35.6 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm (14 x 12 x 12 inches) (h x w x d)

2D Display:

Easel inserts will be provided to adequately display 2D artworks such as small canvases, drawings and prints.

• Opportunity for double-sided viewing

3D Display:

• 3D artworks such as small sculptures and ceramics have the option of sitting alone within the gallery space or being displayed on a small plinth if needed. Two plinths will be provided at 5 cm (2 inch) and 10 cm (4 inch) height, depending on the size of the artwork.

Program Goals

1. Provide opportunities for self-identifying artists of all levels who live in Calgary to exhibit original two-dimensional or three-dimensional artworks that tell their stories of culture, community and place.
2. Celebrate the cultural richness and diversity of northeast Calgary and those who live there.
3. Create a sense of collective well-being and care for community associations and community members.
4. Enhance the overall experience for people living and working in northeast Calgary through public art.

Information Session

The information session for this program was held online on February 24, 2026. The purpose of this session is to provide more context about the Mini Galleries program and review the application criteria and process.

Watch the video of this information session here.

Open Office Hours

The Open Office Hours for this program will be held online on March 3, 2026, from 11 am – 1 pm. Interested applicants can book a 10-minute meeting with the project lead to ask questions about the Mini Galleries program and the application criteria and process.

Sign up for the open office hours here.

We acknowledge that the land we gather on, Mohkinsstsis, is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories, the Tsuut’ina Nation and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. Today this land is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 5 and 6 as well as many First Nations and Inuit from across Turtle Island.

We acknowledge that there has been art, music, dance, storytelling and ceremony on this land since time immemorial, and it is in the spirit of this land and its people that we do our work. 

Calgary Arts Development is committed to the process of eliminating institutional racism, ableism and barriers in our programs, policies, and practices by centring the creativity and leadership of those communities most impacted by structural inequities. Read our full Commitment to Equity statement on our website. 

Truth & Reconciliation 

Calgary Arts Development supports The City of Calgary’s response to the federal Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Call to Action, as documented in the White Goose Flying Report. All applicants are encouraged to reflect on their journey and understanding of Truth and Reconciliation and how it may relate to their proposed projects. If your work includes Indigenous content, involves work with Indigenous people or you would like to include Indigenous knowledge or ways of knowing and doing, it is recommended that you read the report. 

This program is open to anyone living in Calgary who self-identifies as an artist at any stage of their career.

Artists of all experience levels who work in two-dimensional and three-dimensional mediums (e.g., painting, drawing, printmaking, graphic design, illustration, fibre, photography, digital art, ceramics, small sculpture, etc.) are welcome to apply.  

We encourage submissions from artists who are typically underrepresented, including: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour), LGBTQIA2S+ identifying individuals, d/Deaf persons and persons with disabilities.

Applications are accepted through our online platform. The application form will be available on the date the program opens. Applicants must be registered as an Individual Artist or Artist Collective to apply.

To Register:

• Upload your Artist Resume/CV and complete your Artist Statement in your profile.
• Complete or update all your contact information.

If you need support to register through our application platform or need help applying due to accessibility concerns, please contact publicart@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

Applicants will be notified of their results by email. Successful applicants will be sent an artist agreement and are required to sign and return the agreement within 30 days of receiving it. We use electronic fund transfers to make payments. If you are selected for this opportunity, you will be required to provide a void cheque or direct deposit form with your banking information. Please let us know if you need any help with this.

Artists are responsible for ensuring that submissions are received by the deadline. Any application submitted after 4:30 pm MT on the closing date will not be considered. Only send images of artwork for consideration; do not send materials that have not been requested as they will not be reviewed by the curators.

Tell us about your practice

Our online platform requires an Artist Resume/CV when completing your profile, so we are asking artists to start thinking about their experiences as an artist and the story of their practice.

Information to include in your Artist Resume/CV:

• Include education and training, if applicable
• Include related skills
• Demonstration of experience in public art, visual art or design, art exhibitions or commissions
• Demonstration of involvement or engagement with community

Information to include in your Artistic Practice Statement:

• Describe your current artistic practice and the themes in your work.

Letter of Interest

Include a response to each of the following questions (500 words max):

• Why does this program appeal to you?
• Describe your art practice and how it connects to the program goals.
• How does your artwork reflect your own stories of culture, community and place? 
• Do you have a connection to northeast Calgary? If so, what is this connection?

Artwork/Images

Artists may submit one to five original artworks for consideration. The curator may select any number of artworks per artist for the exhibition, but the artwork will only be selected for display in one mini gallery. The number of artworks selected will not affect the artist’s fee. Artists will only be selected for one exhibition.

Artists should be aware that the mini galleries display environment is uncontrolled, and that risks of damage or loss due to theft, vandalism or weather are present. Given these risks, Calgary Arts Development does not recommend that an artwork of high value to the artist, either monetary or otherwise, be displayed in the mini galleries.

Artwork/Image Considerations:

• When uploading images to your application on our online platform, ensure you fill in all the details required for each image. These include the artist’s name, title of artwork, date of completion, dimensions, medium and a brief description of the artwork.
• Artwork submitted must be finished.
• Ensure artwork aligns with the program goals.
• Ensure artwork is suitable for public display and will fit within the dimensions of the mini galleries.
• Ensure images submitted for consideration are good quality. Avoid images that are low resolution or blurry.

Artwork must be your own. If another artist’s copyrights are being infringed upon, the application will be deemed ineligible.

Applications to the program will be reviewed by curators selected from the Public Art Curator Roster, who reside in Calgary and area. Curators for this call are chosen to develop a theme for the exhibition, being guided by the program goals, and are asked to reflect the broad diversity of Calgary and its artistic communities, including but not limited to: artistic discipline, gender, sexuality, age, religion, beliefs, Nation, physical and neurological identities, etc. 

Artists are encouraged to share their connection to northeast communities in their application, as curators may choose to prioritize those with a connection to a northeast community based on their curatorial vision.

We are committed to delivering a public art program that is engaging, relevant and accountable. Public art in Calgary reflects the rich diversity of our city, including Indigenous voices that tell the past, present and future stories of Calgary, known as Mohkinsstsis in Blackfoot. Our intent is to foster meaningful connections and dialogue between artists and communities, using public art to reflect Calgary’s diverse stories and values.

Policies

Deadline Extension Policy
Applicant Support & Accessibility Policy
Disclosure of Grant Information Policy

Other

Group Agreements
Assessor Nomination Form
Investment Program FAQ
Public Art FAQ