Indigenous public art program

Art is the storytelling of a history. Respecting and sharing the unique, local Indigenous traditions, beliefs and practices through public art helps to share Indigenous perspectives and stories. It serves as a reminder that Indigenous people lived on this land long before Scottish settlers named it Calgary, and that every Calgarian has a role to play in acknowledging the past and working toward a brighter future. 

Of The City’s public art collection, which began growing in 1911 and now has more than 1300 pieces, less than 3% was created by Indigenous artists. To correct this disparity, we’re taking meaningful steps to improve opportunities for Indigenous artists to consult on, participate in and create public art in Calgary.

Opportunities for Indigenous artists

New opportunities are available for Indigenous artists!

Indigenous arts professionals

We are deeply honored to be the first municipality in Canada with an all-Indigenous team of arts professionals dedicated to delivering more opportunities for Indigenous artists and increasing Indigenous representation in the public art collection.

Indigenous curators help build connections between local government, the arts community and Indigenous groups.

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Indigenous team members strive to ensure Treaty 7 Nations, Métis Nation of Alberta, District 5 and 6 and all Indigenous Canadians are accurately and fairly represented in the City’s public art collection.

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Art created by Indigenous artists

Moving toward Reconciliation as a city, province and country requires showcasing art by Indigenous artists as a way of understanding and learning about the people who have lived in this region since time immemorial.

Click on each photo to learn more about the artist and artwork.

Initiatives

Indigenous Digital Art and Illustration Program

The Indigenous Public Art program invited Indigenous artists to submit existing digital artwork and illustrations to be licensed for use on The City’s website, temporary publications, and public-facing artist calls and posters. The program will result in Calgary significantly increasing its opportunities for Indigenous artists to consult on, participate in, and create public art in the city.

Artwork: Renewal by Alaynee Goodwill-Littlechild 

Tamaani | Here Inuit art exhibit

The Tamaani | Here art exhibit is a portable collection of 12 stone sculptures carved by artists from different regions of Nunavut. It is available for lending to teachers, schools and educational organizations in Calgary and area. Students will be inspired to further their learning about the rich art and culture of the Inuit of Canada.

The collection is curated by Sophia Lebessis, Canada’s first Inuk to own an Inuit art gallery. In the words of the curator, “Tamaani (Here) is a starting point with which to relook at Inuit art, not as a homogenous art form, but the land coming to life, bringing one into the imagination of an artist's relationship with the environment that has shaped them.”

Photography by Alana Bluebird-One Spot

Moh’kinsstis Public Art Guiding Circle

Since 2017, the Moh′kinsstis Public Art Guiding Circle has supported The City’s public art program to respond and act appropriately in its relationship with Indigenous communities and citizens. The Guiding Circle is made up of Indigenous artists of different disciplines, from a variety of communities and who bring diverse perspectives. Public art concepts, whether created by Indigenous or non-Indigenous artists, are presented to the Guiding Circle for feedback to ensure they are respectful of the original people of this land.

About reconciliation

Reconciliation is an initiative for all levels of government. The goal is to acknowledge and repair the injustices of our country’s historical treatment of Indigenous Peoples and their culture.

Two reports were produced in 2015 to highlight calls to action for reconciliation. The City’s Indigenous public art program is responding to Call to Action #83, which is to create collaborative art that contributes to reconciliation.

Learn more about the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee (CAUAC).

Past initiatives

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Have a question? Contact the public art team.

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