Guidelines Released: Art Bus 2026 RFQ
The Art Bus 2026 RFQ Guidelines are now available. Applications open July 29, 2025, and the deadline to apply is September 23, 2025.
Calgary Arts Development invites artists and artist collectives to submit qualifications for an opportunity to wrap the exterior of a public transit bus with new artwork. The buses will be in service for a minimum of 12 weeks in the summer of 2026. In addition to the exterior bus wrapping, there are interior display opportunities that will share information about the artist and reproductions of their pre-existing work.
We welcome artists in any stage of their career and working in any artistic discipline who live in Calgary/Mohkinsstsis to apply. Residency requirements will be waived for First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) artists and collectives practising and operating in the Treaty 7 region.
Artists previously selected for Art Bus or Centre City Banners 2023 to 2025, or currently selected for Centre City Banners 2026 to 2028, are not eligible to apply.
Up to seven artists/artist collectives will be selected through this Request for Qualifications. Successful artists/artist collectives will be paid $9,000 (not including GST) per art bus.
Read the guidelines to learn more about this opportunity and how to apply:
Information Session
Join an information session led by our project leads to learn more about the Art Bus 2026 artist opportunity.
This session will be held over Zoom and will cover the program overview, application requirements and how to apply, followed by a Q&A period. An ASL interpreter available for those with accessibility needs.
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 5 – 6:30pm
Register here: eventbrite.ca/artbus2022infosession
You will receive a Zoom meeting link 48 hours prior to the event.
Open Office Hours
For those who may have further questions about the application process, we are also offering online Open Office Hours. Bring your questions for our project leads or simply join in and listen to others who may have similar questions.
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 from 11am – 1pm
Register here: eventbrite.ca/artbus2026openoffice
You will receive a Zoom link 48 hours prior to the event.
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