Apply to be Alberta’s Artist in Residence/Arts Ambassador

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
• artists from culturally diverse communities
  • 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 include at least one of these groups.
• deaf artists
• artists with mental health disabilities or mental illness
• artists with physical disabilities
• artists living with chronic, temporary or episodic illness or pain
• Francophone artists
• 2SLGBTQQIA+ artists – two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersexual, asexual, plus

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 a panel of adjudicators with expertise in the arts sector in Alberta.

Assessment of an application will consider:

• the proposed project
• 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 Arts, Culture 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.

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 6 government events at the minister’s request during the term of the residency. 

The selected artist will also have an opportunity to meet with the Minister of Arts, Culture 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

Applications for the 2024 program are now closed. The successful artist will be announced in September 2024.

After you apply

Once an application and supporting documents are received by us, then:

• an assessment will be conducted to ensure the application package contains the required information
• an assessment will confirm applicant eligibility and suitability with the program

A short-list of recommended applicants may be asked to make a short presentation on their respective projects. Developing an application short-list is at the discretion of the selection panel. An interview process may not be conducted for each annual application intake for this program.

Applicants will receive written correspondence or an email notification of any decisions regarding their application.

Contact

Connect with our Arts Branch:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-6315 (general)
Phone: 780-289-3781 (program staff)
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-422-9132
Email: [email protected]

Mailing address:
Arts Branch
10708 105 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5H 0A1