Calls

Opportunities for Artists

Whether you have been a practising artist for years or are a newly emerging artist, there are opportunities for you to share your art. Respond to a gallery call for group and solo shows. Apply to be an Artist in Residence (AiR) at Casa.

Participate in artist-led activities. Learn more about the business of being a practising artist in the AAC’s ART/WORK sessions. Sell your fine art and craft in the AAC Works retail shop. Take tiny steps or a giant leap into the art world by connecting with Casa and the Allied Arts Council.

Exhibition title over clouds

AAC Artist Opportunities

Summer Salon: Making It Big in Lethbridge

Artists have a unique vocabulary to address considerations of scale. They may describe works as ‘intimate’ or ‘monumental.’ They may frame references to scale in relation to the body, the environment, or the space in which it is exhibited. Scale is always an important aspect of creative discourse and a key element of our dialogue about art.

The Gallery at Casa is calling for submissions for our 2023 Summer Salon, and the theme is Making It Big in Lethbridge. We are looking for artists that are either creating large works, or interested in conversations of scale. Scale is relative to an artist’s practice; an artist who creates pieces the size of a postage stamp would find the format of a postcard large, while some artists produce work at the ceiling for a scale they can accommodate in their studio or production space. We are seeking submissions that reference your individual exploration of scale and size. Perhaps large, or maybe just large for you.

Deadline: May 13, 2023

Making It Big in Lethbridge Submission Information

AAC Works

AAC Works offers high quality, locally created, fine art, and fine craft. We currently represent over 50 local artists. We are dedicated to providing local artists space to sell their work and the opportunity to connect with the Lethbridge community. More items are available in our AAC Works store located at 318 – 7th Street S.

Are you interested in selling your work in AAC Works? The next submission deadline is March 20, 2023.

Submission Package PDF

Artist in Residence (AiR)

The residency program at Casa provides an opportunity for artists from across disciplines to pursue their practice in a supportive, concentrated, community-based atmosphere. Workshops, installations, open houses and artist talks are part of the AiR community engagement program. This program is financially supported by the AAC.

Current Residency

Monster Boy, the persona for Noah Crowder will be the AiR at Casa from February 14 – March 14, 2023
Link to Casa Page

Residency Application

Emerging artists find the Casa AiR program to be a welcoming place for those wanting to experience the residency process. Mid-career and established artists are also encouraged to apply as Casa provides space free of charge and will help to co-ordinate a number of public engagement opportunities.

Please seek funding for travel, lodging and per diems from granting agencies as necessary. Successful candidates may request letters of support for their grant applications.

Application deadline:
Application deadlines occur January 15 and June 15 of each year.
Submissions for the January 15 deadline will be programmed for a residency between June 15 and December 31.

Submission for the June 15 deadline will be programmed for a residency between January 15 and June 14 of the following year.

Application Form

External Artist Calls

The Allied Arts Council is often sent calls for artists by other organizations or comes across calls that may be of interest to local artists. These calls are organized by discipline below. The AAC encourages the payment of artist fees in all the calls. Artists should be fairly compensated. The AAC does not publish opportunities that require submission fees for ‘pay to play’ or puts undue burden on artists. If the opportunity is a professional development session, residency, conference or volunteer position, these will be clearly denoted in purple.

Do you have a call for artists that you would like shared? Please email communications@artslethbridge.org

All Disciplines

 

  • Call for Applications: Canada Council for the Arts – Digital Greenhouse. The Digital Greenhouse is a digital innovation initiative for Canadian individuals, groups, and organizations. It supports short-term projects that leverage digital technology to address sectoral and digital challenges. More information.Deadline: ongoing 
  • Lethbridge Artist Group Feature:Be featured as a local artist group in the recreation and culture guide each month. Must be AAC Allied Member. Deadline – 1st of each month. Contact communications@artslethbridge.org
  • Call for Applications: US National Parks Arts Foundation is a non-profit foundation offering artist-in-residence programs, museum in-loan programs and workshops in cooperation with the US National Parks, National Monuments, World Heritage Sites and other locations. Pays stipends and offers a variety of opportunities throughout the year. International artists are welcome to apply. More information.
  • Call for Interviews: Live from Studio Venus. Local podcast interviewing academic, amateur or hobby artists of all forms: visual, craft, design, musician or architectural. Email fromstudiovenus@gmail.comfor more information.
  • Call for Submissions: Workshop Teaching Artist. Alberta Foundation for the Arts is looking for an Artist, Teaching Artist, Arts Educator, or Community Artist with a practice in the visual arts, dance, theatre, music, technical theatre, writing, or storytelling. To be contracted for a variety of creative and collaborative workshops. Fee: $150.00 per session. A creator of magical experiences using your art form to create joy, develop learners’ skill, knowledge, and understanding of the arts. More information. 

Movement & Dance

 

  • Call for Expressions of Interest: Playgoers of Lethbridge 100th Anniversary Festival. Calling all Performers! The Playgoers of Lethbridge is turning 100 next year!! We will be holding a Festival at the Yates on April 21 & 22 of 2023 and are looking for Expressions of Interest from a variety of visual and performing artists including (but not limited to) Theatre, Music, and Dance. Please contact Nancy at nancypurkis@yahoo.ca for more details, or if you would like to be considered for this event. Deadline: ongoing
  • Call for Applications: City of Lethbirdge 2023 Canada Day Main Stage Performers. Showing off our local talent at the Canada Day Main Stage is one of the highlights of the Henderson Park celebrations. The call for 2023 performers is out, and all performers and entertainers are welcome to apply. Fill out your 2023 Canada Day Main Stage Performer Application today! More information. Deadline: March 31, 2023
  • Call for Performers: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! Cabaret. Theatre Outré is seeking acts for its annual queer-themed cabaret event: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! The event is a cultural highlight in Lethbridge annually and is an exciting opportunity for queer performers and their allies. This year’s cabaret is currently scheduled to take place LIVE at The Owl Acousitc Lounge in downtown Lethbridge on the evening of April 15, 2023. We are seeking acts in a variety of performance styles including theatrical scenes, short films, monologues, poetry, dance, musical performance and anything else! Acts should be queer-themed and deal with issues including sexuality and gender etc. Please send a brief description of your proposed act to theatreoutre.lethbridge@gmail.com with the subject heading ‘QQQ Cabaret’. Deadline: April 8, 2023

Literary Arts

 

  • Manuscript Review: Canadian Authors of Alberta The Writers-in-Residence program provides support to Alberta writers of all experience levels and is available to the public. Whether you’re in search of manuscript editing help or mentorship and advice, our WiRs are here to support you in your literary endeavours. More information. 
  • Call for Submissions: Galleries West. Galleries West welcomes pitches from previously published arts writers or emerging writers with a strong sense of the writing craft and a good knowledge of the visual arts. We encourage pitches from diverse voices, including BIPOC writers. Most of our stories and reviews relate to artists with exhibitions in Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) or the North (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut), or significant exhibitions elsewhere that feature Western Canadian artists. We occasionally commission articles on more general themes. Please direct pitches to editor@gallerieswest.ca, briefly explaining the premise of what you want to write. More information. Deadline: ongoing.
  • Call for Residency: Reader in Residence. Seeking a creative to become our Reader in Residence at the Little Red Reading House. There is no one profession or background that fits the role of the Reader in Residence – just that they love books! This role is for anyone who thrives on creativity, and most importantly, needs a space to explore it. They are currently accepting applications for future residencies. More information. Deadline: ongoing
  • Call for Writers: CRAFT is an online publication celebrating both emerging and established writers. Their focus is on the craft of writing and how those elements make a good story great. They feature new and republished fiction; critical pieces on craft; craft exercises; interviews on craft with established writers; book reviews and summaries; and much more. More information.
  • Call for Indigenous Writers: Scholastic Canada is currently interested in reviewing Indigenous material in all genres and at all levels. No other unsolicited submissions are being accepted at this time. More information.
  • Call for Writers: The Cripsters is a monthly Akimblog feature on disability and culture from the point of view of people with disabilities. Looking for submissions of 750-1000 words on topics that intersect with art and disability through a social justice lens and that crip/disrupt the way we think about disability. Submissions can take the form of a critical review, an interview, or an article on artistic/curatorial processes, theory and ideas, commentary, community, etc. For examples of previous articles, find the archive here. A writer’s fee is paid. There is no deadline. Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please email proposals in the form of a short synopsis or outline to Kim Fullerton at kimful@akimbo.ca.
  • Call for Submissions: 57TH ANNUAL ALBERTA PLAYWRITING COMPETITION. The competition recognizes the most outstanding un-produced Alberta play with The Sharon Pollock Award ($5000 Cash Prize). It is open to all playwrights who reside in Alberta, whether they are members of the Alberta Playwrights’ Network or not. A secondary prize (Novitiate Prize) may be awarded at the jury’s discretion to recognize the work of an un-produced playwright. There is no cash with the Novitiate Prize, but APN offers playwright and play development for the recipient. More information
  • Call for Applications: Access Copyright Foundation – Professional Development Grant. Promoting excellence in Canadian content by supporting artistic and professional skills development for individuals and organizations engaged in the creation, production, and publication of text and images. Access Copyright Foundation provides support to creators and organizations engaged in the development and dissemination of publishable Canadian works in the literary and visual arts. Access Copyright Foundation’s grant programs are administered by SK Arts. More information. Deadline April 1, 2023
  • Call for Performers: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! Cabaret. Theatre Outré is seeking acts for its annual queer-themed cabaret event: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! The event is a cultural highlight in Lethbridge annually and is an exciting opportunity for queer performers and their allies. This year’s cabaret is currently scheduled to take place LIVE at The Owl Acousitc Lounge in downtown Lethbridge on the evening of April 15, 2023. We are seeking acts in a variety of performance styles including theatrical scenes, short films, monologues, poetry, dance, musical performance and anything else! Acts should be queer-themed and deal with issues including sexuality and gender etc. Please send a brief description of your proposed act to theatreoutre.lethbridge@gmail.com with the subject heading ‘QQQ Cabaret’. Deadline: April 8, 2023

Media Arts

 

  • Call for Sponsorship: Alberta Media Art Alliance Society (AMAAS). AMAAS will provide cash sponsorship for media arts* related projects, such as media art installations, shows, artist talks, workshops, film festivals, symposiums, presentations and other presentations and productions. Each sponsorship is for a one-year term with option to renew. Sponsorships are available in amounts of $500. to $750. More information. Deadline: April 1, 2023
  • Call for Performers: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! Cabaret. Theatre Outré is seeking acts for its annual queer-themed cabaret event: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! The event is a cultural highlight in Lethbridge annually and is an exciting opportunity for queer performers and their allies. This year’s cabaret is currently scheduled to take place LIVE at The Owl Acousitc Lounge in downtown Lethbridge on the evening of April 15, 2023. We are seeking acts in a variety of performance styles including theatrical scenes, short films, monologues, poetry, dance, musical performance and anything else! Acts should be queer-themed and deal with issues including sexuality and gender etc. Please send a brief description of your proposed act to theatreoutre.lethbridge@gmail.com with the subject heading ‘QQQ Cabaret’. Deadline: April 8, 2023

Music

 

  • Call for Expressions of Interest: Playgoers of Lethbridge 100th Anniversary Festival. Calling all Performers! The Playgoers of Lethbridge is turning 100 next year!! We will be holding a Festival at the Yates on April 21 & 22 of 2023 and are looking for Expressions of Interest from a variety of visual and performing artists including (but not limited to) Theatre, Music, and Dance. Please contact Nancy at nancypurkis@yahoo.cafor more details, or if you would like to be considered for this event. Deadline: ongoing
  • Call for Applications: City of Lethbirdge 2023 Canada Day Main Stage Performers. Showing off our local talent at the Canada Day Main Stage is one of the highlights of the Henderson Park celebrations. The call for 2023 performers is out, and all performers and entertainers are welcome to apply. Fill out your 2023 Canada Day Main Stage Performer Application today! More information. Deadline: March 31, 2023
  • Call for Performers: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! Cabaret. Theatre Outré is seeking acts for its annual queer-themed cabaret event: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! The event is a cultural highlight in Lethbridge annually and is an exciting opportunity for queer performers and their allies. This year’s cabaret is currently scheduled to take place LIVE at The Owl Acousitc Lounge in downtown Lethbridge on the evening of April 15, 2023. We are seeking acts in a variety of performance styles including theatrical scenes, short films, monologues, poetry, dance, musical performance and anything else! Acts should be queer-themed and deal with issues including sexuality and gender etc. Please send a brief description of your proposed act to theatreoutre.lethbridge@gmail.com with the subject heading ‘QQQ Cabaret’. Deadline: April 8, 2023

Public Art

 

  • Call for Artists: Main Street Temporary Art Project – Sculpture. The Town of Canmore invites Alberta artists and self-identifying First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists living or working on Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 or 10, to submit a proposal for a temporary public sculpture installation for Canmore’s pedestrianized Main Street. Only installation-ready sculptures will be considered for lease by the Town of Canmore from May 10, 2023, to Oct. 10, 2023. The town considers public artworks important additional to public spaces, enriching the downtown experience for both residents and visitor. More information. Deadline: April 13, 2023

Theatre & Drama

 

  • Call for Male Actors: Coulee Players are in desperate need of 1 or 2 male actors. The group does 7 or 8 short skits every Friday afternoon for about an hour at Senior’s Homes. Most skits are 2 to 4 minutes in length and are primarily written by group members. For more information, please contact Lee Prindle at 403.320.1748.
  • Call for Narrators. The National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) is looking for volunteers to read and record books for their NARRATE! Project, which provides accessible audiobooks to those with print disabilities. Training, equipment, and technical assistance will be provided to successful applicants. For more information, and to apply, contact Bonnie Mikalson-Andron: 403.320.3026 or at bonnie.mikalson-andron@lethlib.ca.
  • Call for Expressions of Interest: Playgoers of Lethbridge 100th Anniversary Festival. Calling all Performers! The Playgoers of Lethbridge is turning 100 next year!! We will be holding a Festival at the Yates on April 21 & 22 of 2023 and are looking for Expressions of Interest from a variety of visual and performing artists including (but not limited to) Theatre, Music, and Dance. Please contact Nancy at nancypurkis@yahoo.ca for more details, or if you would like to be considered for this event. Deadline: ongoing
  • Call for Applications: City of Lethbirdge 2023 Canada Day Main Stage Performers. Showing off our local talent at the Canada Day Main Stage is one of the highlights of the Henderson Park celebrations. The call for 2023 performers is out, and all performers and entertainers are welcome to apply. Fill out your 2023 Canada Day Main Stage Performer Application today! More information. Deadline: March 31, 2023
  • Call for Performers: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! Cabaret. Theatre Outré is seeking acts for its annual queer-themed cabaret event: Quaint, Quirky & QUEER! The event is a cultural highlight in Lethbridge annually and is an exciting opportunity for queer performers and their allies. This year’s cabaret is currently scheduled to take place LIVE at The Owl Acousitc Lounge in downtown Lethbridge on the evening of April 15, 2023. We are seeking acts in a variety of performance styles including theatrical scenes, short films, monologues, poetry, dance, musical performance and anything else! Acts should be queer-themed and deal with issues including sexuality and gender etc. Please send a brief description of your proposed act to theatreoutre.lethbridge@gmail.com with the subject heading ‘QQQ Cabaret’. Deadline: April 8, 2023

Visual Art

 

  • Call for Exhibition Space: Fusion Sushi would like to invite artists to use their walls for showing their work.  They will have 3 months of use. Yes the artist can sell from the wall, no Fusion will not take a commission but don’t leave an empty space if that’s ok. Must register with Fusion.  Also, Fusion would like to reserve a 3-month portion for a multi-show, for newer artists with not so much work on hand. For more information, please call: Annie Huang (owner) 647.969.3923 or Sylvia Klassen 403.393.4598
  • Call for Submissions: SHOWCASE: small spaces/big ideas is a community art project that highlights the work of local artists and creators. It is a constellation of 26 mini-exhibition spaces available for 1-month bookings by anyone of any age, experience, or background who wants to show their artwork at the AGA. Each month brings a different exhibition and a new look at the diversity of Alberta’s creativity. Submission info. Deadlines on-going.
  • Call for Submissions: Strathcona County Art Gallery@501 is now welcoming exhibition submissions from artists and curators. Completed submissions may be submitted and will be accepted throughout the year. More information.
  • Call for Applicants: The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation. Each grant is given as one-time assistance or a specific emergency, examples of which are fire, flood, or emergency medical need. The program does not consider requests for dental work, chronic situations, capital improvements, or projects of any kind; nor can it consider situations resulting from general indebtedness or lack of employment. More information. Deadline: On-going
  • Call for Applicants: The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant is available to emerging figurative artists. This grant is unique in scope in that it is available to students and artists around the world. More information. Deadline: On-going
  • Call for Submissions: Chrome Salon + Spa, located in downtown Lethbridge, is seeking artists to hang work in their salon and spa. The space is commission-free and no charge. Contact Chrome Salon + Spa directly for more information and a tour of the space. More information. Deadline: On-going
  • Call for Submissions: Latitude 53’s programming includes two Main Space galleries as well as The Garage, a space dedicated to new work by emerging local artists. In both of these models, Latitude 53 provides installation assistance, promotion, documentation, as well as professional compensation for artists in accordance to the expectations set by CAR/FAC. Latitude 53 accepts programming submissions from artists and curators on an ongoing basis. Submissions are kept on record for a period of one year for consideration by Latitude 53 staff, the Program Advisory Committee, and/or guest curators. More information. Deadline: On-going
  • Call for Expressions of Interest: Playgoers of Lethbridge 100th Anniversary Festival. Calling all Performers! The Playgoers of Lethbridge is turning 100 next year!! We will be holding a Festival at the Yates on April 21 & 22 of 2023 and are looking for Expressions of Interest from a variety of visual and performing artists including (but not limited to) Theatre, Music, and Dance. Please contact Nancy at nancypurkis@yahoo.ca for more details, or if you would like to be considered for this event. Deadline: ongoing
  • Call for Submissions: Surrey Art Gallery welcomes proposals from artists and guest curators for exhibitions in any media and subject area. These include solo, group exhibitions and touring shows as well as exhibitions that include work by, for, or about children, or of work evolving out of projects or residencies. There is no deadline for proposals, and your package will be acknowledged when received. More information. Deadline: On-going
  • Call for Submissions: Forest City Gallery (FCG) is seeking dynamic submissions from artists and curators across disciplines. FCG is an artist-run centre founded on artistic autonomy with a commitment to excellence in programming exhibitions and events that reflect recent developments in cultural production. FCG is looking for innovative proposals from artists and curators of all disciplines and career levels with a focus on emerging artists and practices. More information. Deadline March 31, 2023
  • Call for Artists: 101 Deweguns. In Chapter 1 we began this journey with “Prepping For Change”. This Indigenous–inspired Drum Art Initiative is now beginning Chapter 2 in calling out to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists across Canada from coast to coast to coast to express by way of a painted Dewegun what a positive ‘Next Sentence’ can look like in moving forward in Truth & Reconciliation. More information. Deadline: March 31, 2023
  • Call for Applications: Access Copyright Foundation – Professional Development Grant. Promoting excellence in Canadian content by supporting artistic and professional skills development for individuals and organizations engaged in the creation, production, and publication of text and images. Access Copyright Foundation provides support to creators and organizations engaged in the development and dissemination of publishable Canadian works in the literary and visual arts. Access Copyright Foundation’s grant programs are administered by SK Arts. More information. Deadline April 1, 2023
  • Art Acquisitions by Application – Alberta Foundation for the Arts. This program provides support for individual Alberta artists or an ensemble of artists through the purchase of their artwork as a permanent part of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Collection. This program will only consider submitted artwork by Alberta artists who meet the three mandatory criteria for CORE artists as described in the AFA’s Collections Development Plan. More information. Deadline: April 3, 2023
  • Call for Submissions: ASA “Interiors”. The Alberta Society of Artists invites all AB artists (must be 18 years or older) to submit to ” Interiors”, a travelling exhibition featuring two-dimensional art. More information. Deadline: April 3, 2023
  • Call for Submissions: ASA “Home and Migration”. (Calgary, AB) The Alberta Society of Artists invites Alberta artists (18 years of age or older) to submit to the exhibition “Home and Migration”. Media range is open. Two-dimensional with a size limitation of 40″ in any direction. Exhibition location is the Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton: June-August 2023. There may be other venues. More information. Deadline April 3, 2023
  • Call for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists. The Town of Canmore invites Alberta artists including those self-identifying First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists living or working on Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 or 10 to submit proposals for the design and installation of two interior murals within the Town of Canmore’s Civic Centre. More information. Deadline: April 10, 2023