Overview

This program seeks to inspire innovation in the arts and to promote a wider understanding and appreciation of the arts and artists in Alberta.

Artists are encouraged to apply for this grant to become Alberta’s Artist in Residence / Arts Ambassador for a one-year term.

Through this grant, the successful artist will:

• work with communities across Alberta as an Arts Ambassador to promote the importance of Alberta artists and the arts
• communicate and share personal perspectives on the artistic process, the role of artists, and the contributions that artists make to Alberta
• act as an advocate for greater understanding of the realities of artists and the communities in which they work
• complete an art project that promotes the value of the arts in Alberta

Applications from all artists are encouraged, including artists from the following communities:

• Indigenous artists
• culturally diverse* artists
• Deaf artists and artists with disabilities
• Francophone artists
• 2SLGBTQIA+ artists
• new generation artists, emerging artists, and youth

*Culturally diverse communities are defined as racialized groups that correspond to “visible minorities” under the federal Employment Equity Act. These are individuals of African, Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern or mixed ancestral heritage that includes at least one of these groups.

 

Eligibility

The Artist in Residence is selected annually through a competitive project grant application process.

This annual opportunity is open to all artists who are residents of Alberta that practice any artistic discipline(s) including, but may not be limited to:

• dance
• film and video
• Indigenous arts
• literary arts
• music
• theatre
• visual arts and new media

Assessment

Applications are assessed by an appropriate panel of staff from Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women with expertise in the arts sector in Alberta.

Assessment of an application will consider:

• the proposed project, including project viability in the context of COVID-19
• the ability and suitability of the candidate to act as an Arts Ambassador for Alberta

The successful grant recipient is selected by the minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, whose decision is final. The selection of artists from year to year will be deliberate to reflect the cultural richness of diverse communities across the province. Funding is not assured for any project.

Project development

The program provides one-time funding assistance for the recipient to develop an artistic project that promotes the value of the arts in Alberta.

Projects that include the completion of an artwork during the first half of the artist’s term of residency, which the artist can subsequently use to promote the value of the arts in Alberta during the remainder of their term, are encouraged.

The artist is required to document and provide access to an inside look of their artistic creative process for the proposed project. The artist should clearly describe the purpose and intended outcomes of each activity, and how this work would be documented. All travel expenses will be the responsibility of the artist.

Community outreach

The artist is expected to be accessible to community organizations that may wish to invite the artist to attend a community event or to meet with stakeholders. In these cases, interested organizations must apply to host the artist through the Alberta Artist in Residence/Arts Ambassador website.

The artist is expected to provide to provide content to share over a specialized social media (Instagram) account, owned and managed by the Government of Alberta.

Government interaction

The Alberta Artist in Residence/Arts Ambassador is also a ceremonial position, and the recipient is expected to attend and bring greetings (as appropriate) for up to six (6) Government events at the Minister’s request during the term of the residency. Event invites are at the Minister’s discretion; however, it is anticipated the artist will be expected to attend events during:

• Month of the Artist and Alberta Culture Days (September annually)
• National Poetry Month (April annually)

The selected artist will also have an opportunity to meet with the minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, as well as other government officials to provide their perspective on the value of the arts and artists in Alberta.

How to apply