Indigenous Artist/Artist Team for Indigenous Placemaking
Submissions Due: October 5
The Calgary Public Library (the Library) invites Indigenous Artists from the vast and beautiful nations and communities who reside within Treaty 7 territory, including individual artists who are not originally from this traditional territory, to work on and design artwork/installations that will activate Indigenous Placemaking in Calgary Public Library locations. Partnerships and collaborations are encouraged, including between established and emerging artists. This opportunity is designed to include both Traditional Indigenous methods of making and Contemporary art practices.
Project Objectives
The Calgary Public Library is excited to provide permanent Indigenous art installation opportunities in the following locations: Seton Library, Shawnessy Library, Crowfoot Library and Saddletowne Library. This Call is for Artists or Artist Teams to create a concept/artwork as a finished final installation.
The main objectives for the Calgary Public Library Indigenous Placemaking Commissions are:
Develop artworks that will promote an educational understanding of the TsuuT’ina Nation, the Blackfoot Nations, Stoney Nakoda Nations, and Métis Nation Region 3’s history, both past, present, and future using visual and oral storytelling, through various mediums including live performance / animation/ digital media for Library permanent online resources.
Create a safe and inclusive place for all Indigenous people within Treaty 7 area, including under-represented and/or marginalized groups, to gather, share and learn together and to encourage education and communication about Indigenous arts and culture.
Promote traditional and contemporary education and cultural connection amongst artists of all disciplines, backgrounds, and stages of careers.
Promote collaboration amongst artists of all disciplines, backgrounds, and stages of careers.
The commissioned Artists or Artist Teams will be required to design, fabricate, and install a public art feature that will create a strong and recognizable link to themes of tradition, diversity, inclusion, storytelling, identity, and education. Artists and/or Artist Teams must source their own working studios, materials, and fabrication companies in this creative process.
Upon completion, the Library will assume ownership of the artwork. The artist retains intellectual property rights to the artwork including, without limitation, copyright. The Library shall have the right to use images of the artwork for any non-commercial promotional use (example: social media, website, pamphlets, etc.). Images of the artwork will not be used for purposes of commercial or monetary profit by the Library without prior consent by the artist.
Who is eligible?
The Library seeks to commission qualified Indigenous artists. All Indigenous artists with connection to Calgary, including the TsuuT’ina Nation, the Blackfoot Nations, Stoney Nations, and Métis Nation Region 3 and other Urban Indigenous people are encouraged to apply. Artists may apply individually or as part of a team, however only one application per artist/team will be accepted. The parameters of this project ensure that the public art and workshops featured in the Library should remain diverse with regards to artistic mediums, disciplines, and methods, and that a varied group of artists are engaged. Artists should be knowledgeable about Indigenous traditional and contemporary practices and protocols. In addition, to ensure that the Placemaking Initiative is an inclusive and supportive opportunity for all Indigenous artists, this Call is particularly seeking people from traditionally under-represented and/or marginalized groups, specifically Female, individuals self-identifying as Women, LGBTQ2+ and non-binary community members, to ensure diverse community representation.
Information SessionsFour, two-hour presentations will be held for those interested in applying to the Call for Artists. These sessions will provide a review of the first two phases of the Indigenous Placemaking initiative (2018/19 and 2019/2020), information about the locations and spaces for this Placemaking Initiative (2020/21), review of the submission guidelines, and a question period.
In light of COVID-19 public health restrictions and guidelines, all Information sessions will be held online using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Please visit calgarylibrary.ca/connect/indigenous-services for up to date details regarding the workshop dates. Proposed dates are as follows:
September 10, 2020
September 17, 2020
September 24, 2020
October 1, 2020
Timeline
An Artist Selection Committee comprising of members from the TsuuT’ina Nation, the Blackfoot Nations, Stoney Nation, Métis Nation Region 3, Urban Indigenous communities, and members of the Library’s Elders Guidance Circle will be established. The Artist Selection Committee will be comprised of up to eight (8) members who reside in the greater Calgary region as well as members of the Library staff and one (1) Program Coordinator will guide this process.
Artist / Artist Teams will have the following timeline to work from once the Art Commissions are awarded:
Art Production
October 19, 2020 – March 19, 2021
Art Installation
March 12 – March 19, 2021
Opening/Artist talks (Central)
April 1, 2021
Questions about the Indigenous Placemaking project and/or the Application process can be directed to:
Jared Tailfeathers
Program Coordinator, Indigenous PlacemakingCalgary Public Library
403.221.4103
Jared.Tailfeathers@calgarylibrary.ca
For More information visit https://calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/arts-and-culture/call-1/