Artist-initiated public art project funding

Professional Calgary and area artists were able to submit project ideas for funding in any part of the city. Applications are now closed.

 

Timeline

Note: Dates may be subject to change

  • October-November 26, 2020 - applications accepted
  • November 26, 2020 at 4:00:59 p.m. MST - deadline for applications. Late applications will not be considered.
  • December 2020 - notification of successful and non-successful applicants
  • December 2020-Feburary 8, 2021 - shortlisted applicants prepare and submit their detailed proposals
  • February 8, 2021 at 4:00:59 p.m. MST - deadline for detailed proposals
  • February 2021 - interviews and final selection

Who can apply

  • Individuals must be 18 years of age or older
  • Residents of Calgary and area (including nearby Indigenous communities)
  • Professional artists who:
    • Have specialized training in an artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions)
    • Are recognized as a professional by their peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition)
    • Are committed to devoting more time to artistic activity
    • Have a history of public presentation or publication
  • Artists or artist teams (you can also partner with community associations, businesses or private landowners)

Project conditions

  • Art must be publicly accessible.
  • Proposed projects can't be started before applying for this funding. Only new projects are eligible.
  • The artwork must be safe for public interaction. Signed engineer drawings may be required.
  • The artwork must have a defined lifespan (5 years or less).
  • Projects must be completed within one year.
  • Funding recipients must complete a report within 60 days of your project's completion to show how the funds were spent.
  • If the project is not completed, funds may need to be returned to The City.

Required documents and evaluation

Applications were reviewed by a selection panel of seven people (three arts professionals, three non-arts professionals and one City employee).

Initial application

Qualifications were scored out of a total of 100 points.

Required documents Details

Application form
70 points total

Things to consider when putting an application together:

 

  • Quality of idea and connection to place (30 points)
    How does your idea connect or respond to the site? How will the site's history and use have an impact on your project?
  • Engagement (20 points)
    Are you creating an artwork that is connected to the community and the people in it? How will engagement inform your project? What tools and methods will you use to reach people?
  • Fostering dialogue (20 points)
    How will your artwork create dialogue about diversity, empathy, accessibility, equality, social justice and/or the environment? How can you explore ways to learn about Indigenous history and the impact of colonialism, and create a path towards reconciliation?

Resume and 10 images of past work or ideas
30 points total

  • Prove your ability to manage a public art project on time and on budget
  • Demonstrate the excellence of your past work or ideas
  • Tell us why you're qualified for the job

Required documents if you are shortlisted

Required documents Details

Proposal

  • Detailed budget: include specific amounts for artist fees, insurance, fabrication, materials, installation costs and de-installation (plus amounts for promotions/marketing, engagement, technical reviews/engineer reports if applicable)
  • Ownership of the artwork and maintenance responsibilities

Written agreement with the site owner and/or City business units (e.g. Parks, Roads, etc.)

  • Approval of the location of the artwork by the site owner and/or City business unit (if the proposed artwork will be on City land that is not leased to anyone else)

Required documents if you are successful

Required documents Details

Confirmation of status as a company

You must prove your status as a company (or sole-proprietorship)

Confirmation of a Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance policy

You need insurance coverage for bodily injury (including death) and property damage in an amount of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) inclusive limit for any one occurence

Scope and Fee contract

You must complete a Scope and Fee contract defining project deliverables and payment schedule

City of Calgary Artist Agreement

You must sign a City of Calgary Artist Agreement with General Terms and Conditions covering topics including copyright provisions, moral rights and termination

About artist-initiated projects funding

We are providing $150,000 of one-time funding to support the local artist community that has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The money comes from the Public Art Program's existing budget for public art programming.

This funding is meant to help boost the creative economy, create small project arts in our communities, provide opportunities to strengthen and build community, and promote diversity and inclusion.

undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null