Organizer Information
Calgary Arts Development is the municipal arts funding and public art organization of the City of Calgary, Canada. The organization supports artists, artist collectives, cultural organizations, and community initiatives through grants, public art commissions, professional development opportunities, and cultural investment programs.
Through its Public Art Program, Calgary Arts Development commissions and manages permanent and temporary public artworks that contribute to Calgary’s civic identity, cultural diversity, and public spaces. The program emphasizes artistic excellence, community engagement, accessibility, and representation of diverse voices, including Indigenous communities and equity-deserving groups.
The Belmont Fieldhouse & Library commission is part of Calgary’s ongoing investment in public infrastructure and public art, integrating contemporary artistic practice into one of the city’s newest and fastest-growing communities.
Title & Description
Belmont Fieldhouse & Library Public Art Commission
Calgary Arts Development is seeking applications from experienced public artists and artist collectives to create a major new permanent public artwork for the Belmont Fieldhouse & Library, a community hub currently under construction in Calgary, Canada.
The selected artist or artist team will develop an original site-responsive artwork consisting of four large-scale exterior panels installed along the south-facing façade of the new facility. The commission aims to create an artwork that strengthens community identity, fosters civic pride, reflects local histories and experiences, and contributes to Calgary’s growing public art landscape.
Artists are expected to undertake independent research into the Belmont community and its context, using this research to develop a concept that responds thoughtfully to the site, its users, and the surrounding environment. The final artwork should be durable, low-maintenance, and designed to remain publicly accessible for decades.
The commission encourages ambitious artistic approaches that engage with placemaking, community narratives, environmental conditions, and the evolving identity of a rapidly developing neighborhood. The completed artwork will become part of the City of Calgary Public Art Collection.
The Role Overview
- Position: Lead Public Artist / Artist Collective
Contract Type: Public Art Commission Contract
Reporting To: Calgary Arts Development Public Art Program & City of Calgary Project Teams
Artist Fee: CAD $35,500
Production Budget: Up to CAD $175,000
Project Duration: September 2026 – July 2027
Artwork Type: Permanent Public Art Installation
Commission Scope: Four exterior artwork panels integrated into the Belmont Fieldhouse & Library
Selection Process: Open Call → Shortlist (4 candidates) → Interviews → Final Selection
Position & Tasks
- Conduct independent research into the Belmont community and surrounding context.
- Develop an original artistic concept for four large-scale public artwork panels.
- Participate in meetings and consultations with Calgary Arts Development and City project teams.
- Prepare concept proposals, design revisions, and technical documentation.
- Manage the project budget and production process.
- Coordinate engineering, fabrication, materials sourcing, and logistics.
- Oversee shipping and installation of the artwork.
- Attend required site visits during the development and installation phases.
- Deliver a completed artwork suitable for long-term inclusion in the City of Calgary Public Art Collection.
Categories
- Public Art
- Visual Art
- Installation Art
- Sculpture
- Site-Specific Art
- Multimedia Art
- Mixed Media
- Community-Based Art
- Contemporary Art
- Urban Art
- Architecture-Integrated Art
- Environmental Art
- Interdisciplinary Art Practices
Eligibility
Applications are open to:
- Local, national, and international professional artists.
- Artist collectives and artist teams.
- Mid-career public artists.
- Artists with demonstrated experience completing at least one public art project with a minimum project budget of CAD $40,000.
- Artists available for the full project period from September 2026 through July 2027.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience creating large-scale public artworks.
- Experience with multi-panel installations.
- Experience working collaboratively with architects, engineers, municipalities, or project teams.
Calgary Arts Development strongly encourages applications from:
- Indigenous artists.
- Black artists.
- Artists of Colour.
- LGBTQIA2S+ artists.
- D/deaf artists.
- Artists with disabilities.
- Other historically underrepresented communities.
Program Benefits
Financial Benefits
- Artist fee of CAD $35,500
- Production budget of up to CAD $175,000
- Budget may cover:
- Design development
- Engineering
- Fabrication
- Materials
- Shipping
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Installation-related costs
Professional Benefits
- Major public art commission in a growing Calgary community.
- Permanent inclusion in the City of Calgary Public Art Collection.
- Collaboration with municipal public art professionals.
- Increased public visibility and professional recognition.
- Opportunity to create a landmark artwork for a major civic facility.
Additional Benefits
- Access to project support from Calgary Arts Development.
- Community engagement opportunities.
- Long-term conservation support through the City of Calgary Public Art Collection.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Application Questions
- Previous public art experience.
- Research methodology.
- Site-responsive artistic practice.
- Community engagement approaches.
- Project management experience.
- Collaboration experience.
- Indigenous and community consultation experience.
- Ability to meet project timelines.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Professional artistic practice.
- Completion of at least one public art project.
- Relevant experience in large-scale public art.
Portfolio
- Minimum 5 images.
- Maximum 10 images.
- Examples of completed public artworks.
- Artwork title, date, size, materials, and description for each image.
- Clear attribution of collaborators where applicable.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 24 June 2026
- Selection Committee Review: July 2026
- Shortlisted Artist Interviews: August 2026
- Notification of Results: Mid-August 2026
- Research & Concept Development Begins: September 2026
- First Concept Proposal Submission: November 2026
- Final Concept Proposal Submission: February 2027
- Design Development, Fabrication & Shipping: March – June 2027
- Installation & Public Celebration: July 2027
- Artwork Added to City Collection: August 2027
Location
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Additional Details
- Four shortlisted artists will be invited to interviews.
- Interview questions will be shared in advance.
- Concept proposals are not required during the initial application stage.
- The artwork must be durable and suitable for a lifespan of approximately 25 years.
- Digital panel solutions may be considered, subject to engineering approval.
- Three-dimensional elements are permitted if they comply with building codes and engineering requirements.
- The selection committee may choose not to award the commission if no proposal sufficiently meets the project objectives.
- The final artwork will become part of the City of Calgary Public Art Collection and receive ongoing conservation support.
- Accessibility support and application assistance are available throughout the application process.