Indigenous Placemaking Artists

Artist Selection Committee Candidates for Indigenous Placemaking  

Deadline to Apply: March 15, 2025

Calgary Public Library will form an Artist Selection Committee to support the Indigenous Service Design Lead and the Indigenous Placemaking Program Coordinator in commissioning First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists who live in Treaty 7 Territory. The Artists will create traditional or contemporary artwork installed in Calgary Public Library locations as part of Indigenous Placemaking.

The Library seeks responses from interested candidates to form a committee of eight (8) (including Elders) from the TsuuT’ina Nation, the Blackfoot Nations, Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nations, Métis Nation Districts 5 and 6, urban Indigenous communities, and arts/culture professionals who reside in the greater Calgary region. Prospective committee members should demonstrate experience and knowledge in at least one of the following categories:   

• Architecture  
• Contemporary Art  
• Curation  
• An understanding of history / cultural knowledge about the TsuuT’ina Nation, the Blackfoot Nations, Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nations, and / or Métis Nation Districts 5 and 6. 

In addition, the committee will be supported by Library staff members, members from the Elders Guidance Circle, and the Indigenous Placemaking Program Coordinator, who will guide this process.   

Project Goals  

With the aid of the selection committee, the Library is seeking to procure new or existing artwork for designated spaces throughout Calgary Public Library to meet the following objectives:  

• Develop artworks that will promote an educational understanding of the TsuuT’ina Nation, the Blackfoot Nations, Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nations, Métis Nation Districts 5 and 6’s history, both past, present, and future using visual and oral storytelling. 
• Create a safe and inclusive place for all Indigenous people within Treaty 7 area, including underrepresented and / or marginalized groups, to gather, share, and learn together and encourage education and communication about Indigenous arts and culture.  
• Promote traditional and contemporary education and cultural connection and collaboration amongst artists of all disciplines, backgrounds, and stages of careers.  

Art Installation Locations at Calgary Public Library:  

• Bowness Library
• Southwood Library
• Louise Riley Library Early Learning Centre  

Committee Responsibilities  

The selection committee will review submissions and meet as a group to shortlist potential Artists. After thoughtful review and discussion of the proposals submitted, the Artist Selection Committee will invite shortlisted Artist / Artist Teams to interview with the Committee and make a collaborative decision on the final recommendation of candidates and designated placement of proposed art installations at selected Library locations. The final decision by Calgary Public Library regarding the selection of shortlisted candidates should reflect the recommendations made by the Artist Selection Committee. Artists selected will enter a Contract Agreement with the Library to complete the proposed workshops and artwork on time and budget.   

Compensation 

An honorarium will be provided to compensate committee members for their time, based on the current CARFAC fee structure. Mileage will be paid for participants living outside of Calgary.

Timeline 

Committee members are expected to participate in a minimum of two virtual sessions (two to four hours) and subsequent email coordination as required to reach a consensus on the selections. Dates to be coordinated and determined among members.

Proposed Date for Artist Selection Meeting: Late March / early April 2025, TBC. 

To Apply  

Please send a resume with cover letter expressing your interest in participating to the Indigenous Placemaking Program Coordinator, Jasmine MacGregor, at jasmine.macgregor@calgarylibrary.ca  by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 15, 2025.