Literary arts

The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation is proud to announce that artist Faye HeavyShield (Blood Reserve, Kainaiwa Nation, AB), writer and filmmaker Cheryl Foggo (Calgary, AB), and dance choreographer Vicki Adams Willis (Calgary, AB), have been selected to receive the 2021 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award.

Arlene Strom, chair of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation said, “Albertans can be proud of these three whose contributions have pushed the boundaries of art to reflect Indigenous identity and expression; present a more inclusive and diverse view of Alberta’s history; and define the province as a beacon for jazz dance artists. Each has contributed immeasurably to the development of the province’s artists, arts communities and expanding art disciplines.”

Faye HeavyShield, Visual Arts

Over the past 30 years, Faye HeavyShield is one of Canada’s pre-eminent artists within Alberta and the Blackfoot Confederacy. Currently living on the Blood Reserve in southwestern Alberta, Faye studied at Alberta University for the Arts in Calgary. 

Honouring her Kainaiwa (Blood) Nation, the striking landscape they dwell within and the Blackfoot language which she speaks, Faye HeavyShield’s legacy of three-dimensional art and sculpture, including recent installations incorporating photography and delicately constructed paper figures, make her a senior figure in the artistic and cultural renaissance of Indigenous nations in the country. 

Cheryl Foggo, Playwright, screenwriter, film maker, author

Creating a more inclusive and diverse view of Alberta’s history through her plays, films, books, articles and multi-media presentations has been Cheryl Foggo’s life work. Profiled in Who’s Who in Black Canada and the recipient of the 2008 national Harry Jerome Award for The Arts, Foggo has applied her talent as a researcher and writer to uncovering the compelling but overlooked stories of Alberta’s Black settlers and cowboys. Most recently, the award winning National Film Board feature-length documentary, John Ware Reclaimed (2020), highlighted an earlier thriving Black community in the province often left out of the history books.

Her seminal, autobiographical book, Pourin’ Down Rain: A Black Woman Claims Her Place In The Canadian West was reprinted in 2020 to commemorate its 30th anniversary. In addition to her books, Cheryl Foggo has published prose in more than 40 journals and anthologies. Two new productions of Foggo‘s plays are scheduled in 2021 with the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton and the Urgency Collective in Calgary, and her short play The Sender is currently available through Toronto’s Obsidian Company’s 21 Black Futures Project. As a cultural activist, mentor and volunteer she advocates for writers and Black artists.

Vicki Adams Willis, Performing Arts: Dance  

Vicki Adams Willis has changed the face of jazz dance in Alberta and Canada. A co-founder nearly 40 years ago of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD), she is foremost a teacher and choreographer of more than 35 original productions. Jazz dance is a misunderstood art form. Born of African parents and of the Black American experience, Vicki Adams Willis acknowledges herself as a guest in this form and has demonstrated her deep understanding of, and utter respect for, the authentic roots and history of jazz through her research, teaching and choreography. She is recognized as a true leader in the world of jazz; an acclaimed ground-breaking choreographer who created one of the most unique jazz dance companies in the world, and the key person to ensure Calgary, Alberta as a viable dance centre for serious jazz artists. 

“These three ground-breaking women have offered important contributions to the arts in Canada. Their creativity has brought new light to their respective disciplines and created countless opportunities for us all to learn, grow and explore fresh ideas. Artists like this are essential to the vibrancy of our communities and we are truly fortunate to have them as cultural leaders in our province and country as a whole.” Her Honour, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta 

Ceremony

The awards patron, the Honourable Salma Lakhani Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, will present the awards at a celebration hosted by the Community of Lac La Biche and Portage College, Lac La Biche campus, at an awards event June 10 and 11, 2022. This celebration in 2022 will also include recognition of the 2022 Emerging Artists.

The 2021 Distinguished Artists were chosen from nominations received and reviewed by a jury of experts overseen by the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Jurors for the 2021 Distinguished Artist Awards were Mary-Beth Laviolette, visual arts curator and author; John Estacio, 2017 Distinguished Artist and JUNO nominated composer;  Seika Boye, scholar, writer, artist and Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies; Jordan Abel, Nisga’a writer from Vancouver and Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta teaching Indigenous Literatures and Creative Writing.

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts is pleased to be a funding partner in this collaboration with Stone-Olafson and other community leaders to develop a long-term research investigation and evaluate how current conditions will reshape Albertans’ attitudes and behaviours towards social and group activities, across a variety of sectors. The purpose of this work is to give leaders of community sports, recreation, arts and culture, professional sports, active living, heritage, tourism or hospitality sectors relevant facts about local audiences that they will need to bring life back to our communities.

The initiative is being funded by: 

• ActiveCITY Collective
• Alberta Foundation for the Arts 
• Angus Reid
• ATB
• Calgary Arts Development 
• Calgary Foundation
• Edmonton Arts Council
• Edmonton Community Foundation
• Rozsa Foundation
• Stone-Olafson
• Travel Alberta

​This research is being conducted in six waves over the course of the next year. This is a community resource that is FREE to access and results from the second wave of research are now available. The second wave of research builds on the baseline established in May and June by delving into attitudes on comfort, spending, the impact of media, and audience expectations.

Findings and implications for Alberta organizations through Wave 2 results include:

• Support for the pace of re-opening grows but there are still lingering pockets of disagreement.
• Comfort levels are creating a new baseline of engagement.
• Increasing gaps are appearing between audience segments on the pandemic.
• As restrictions lift, Albertans are pulled by their social motivations and perceptions of safety outdoors.
• Engagement is (potentially) perishable.
• Staying connected will mean the development of innovative and hybrid experiences.
• In a crowded media space, audiences are still listening.
• Spending is obviously being impacted

The report makes the following recommendations for organizations:

• Comfort levels are not rebounding just because restrictions are lifting. Organizations need to temper expectations about reconnecting with audiences. You will not be reengaging them in the same you used to. It will take time and it will look different. Plan on it and prepare.
• Getting audiences comfortable enough to attend is vital. Some of this will rebound over time, and some will be addressed by government, but there are opportunities to build confidence in what you are doing to safeguard their health. Show the steps you are taking and the tools being employed to protect audiences. Building confidence with what you are doing will help increase comfort and, in turn, consideration.
• Audiences and markets are changing. There are new barriers to address and consider. Organizations will need to understand shifting mindsets of different target audiences in order to engage effectively. This could be a deep opportunity to engage for many organizations who can capitalize on their motivations and expectations.
• Find your voice. Audiences are listening closely for news around the pandemic and are eager for updates, information or promotions. They want to know when experiences will be available again and are receptive to traditional marketing messages again. In fact, they expect it.
• Adapting means developing new product and experiences to consume. Staying put or offering what you used to won’t necessarily work. Organizations that can move into hybrid offers (not simply digital alone or in-person alone) that still leverage intrinsic motivations will be well positioned to protect their revenue from competition.

Download the reports:

• Alberta Report
• Calgary Report
• Edmonton Report

You can subscribe to receive notifications when the new reports are available by visiting stone-olafson.com. 

This research is being conducted in six waves over the course of the next year. This is a community resource that is FREE to access and results from the fourth wave of research are now available. 

Findings for Alberta organizations from Wave 4 results include:

• Public perceptions reflect the low point of the pandemic at this time.
• Albertans are adapting to and following the rules.
• Change in habits during the pandemic appears to be additive, not alternative
• Contexts frame marketing in this environment - messages will need to be shifted, media strategies evaluated, and some types of voices changed.
• Engagement is on hold.
• Travel within the province is an option. 

What are the implications for Alberta organizations?

• When conditions permit, recognize you will be reconnecting with a weary population who are more anxious than before. Messages and offers will need to adjust to reflect this reality.
• As Albertans accept and get used to the restrictions, they expect others to follow them too. A large percentage of those surveyed indicate others not following protocols will dissuade them from attending events/participating in activities. The same applies for not seeing sufficient safeguards in place.
• As restrictions start to lift, Albertans are likely to start figuring out how to balance a new set of activities they enjoy with their usual activities they want to get back to. And for organizations, that means breaking through a larger competitive set to capture the attention of their audiences. For those that offer registered or directed experiences this may be an even bigger challenge now that people are also adding in more self-directed experiences.
• Organizations are likely going to need a multi-layered media strategy that can reach influencers who can help propel the message. To be clear, an influencer strategy doesn’t mean a pure social media strategy. It means a strategy of messages and media that are repeatable to others.
• Organizations have to be prepared to re-engage in stages. When current restrictions lift there will be some appetite to explore and potential opportunities to meet them online or outdoors. In a post-pandemic environment, audiences are very likely to get active again.
• Focusing on broad messages that reflect a drive to escape everyday stresses and deliver on social motivations will work well to help motivate intra-provincial travel. Reinforcing these main messages with reassurances about flexibility in booking and safety will also be helpful to finalize a decision.

Download the reports:

• Alberta Report
• Calgary Report 
• Edmonton Report

You can subscribe to receive notifications when the new reports are available by visiting stone-olafson.com. 

About the project

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts is pleased to be a funding partner in this collaboration with Stone-Olafson and other community leaders to develop a long-term research investigation and evaluate how current conditions will reshape Albertans’ attitudes and behaviours towards social and group activities, across a variety of sectors. The purpose of this work is to give leaders of community sports, recreation, arts and culture, professional sports, active living, heritage, tourism or hospitality sectors relevant facts about local audiences that they will need to bring life back to our communities.

The initiative is being funded by: 

• ActiveCITY Collective
• Alberta Foundation for the Arts 
• Angus Reid
• ATB
• Calgary Arts Development 
• Calgary Foundation
• Edmonton Arts Council
• Edmonton Community Foundation
• Rozsa Foundation
• Stone-Olafson
• Travel Alberta

Dates

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Program Dates: May 12 - May 23, 2025

Overview  

This two-week residency encourages the exploration of new ideas in literary journalism (creative non-fiction) and experimentation in writing. Designed to challenge and stimulate, the program aims to inspire creative pieces of non-fiction and to assist the writers in their completion. 
A preeminent space for long-form journalism, this residency emphasizes the strengths of thorough and articulate reporting, distinctive storytelling, and literary devices. 
Work created in this program has been published in many outlets including The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, and The Atlantic, and pieces have gone on to win National Magazine and National Newspaper Awards.

Description

Writers will have time to:

• work on their manuscripts in their individual studios.
• consult with faculty members Kyo Maclear, Taras Grescoe, Sarah Berman, and Amanda Crocker (Between the Lines Press).
• participate in group discussions. 

Faculty will provide mentorship and one-on-one workshops to discuss:

• story ideas. 
• craft concepts such as voice and structure. 
• challenges writers may be encountering with their literary journalism.

Requirements

Literary Journalism is designed for writers seeking a professional development opportunity in a community of peers with the guidance of an experienced writer/editor, as each participant prepares a long form piece.

Applicants should be experienced professionals, active in the diversified fields of writing, including print or electronic media. This program is open to fiction and non-fiction writers, journalists, freelance critics or curators, artists, and academics, with an emphasis on those who can write for a lay audience with logic, vigour, and charm—and those who have a portfolio to prove it.

This program is not open to:

• applicants who have taken part in a Banff Centre residency in the last year.
• current faculty members of any other Banff Centre programming.

This program is run in English and only accepts projects that are being written in English. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.

For more information and to apply.

Dates

Application Deadline: March 5, 2025
Program Dates: August 18 - August 29, 2025

Overview  

Summer Writers is a self-directed residency that provides writers with the time and space to focus on their work away from the constraints of everyday life. During the residency, writers can take advantage of one-on-one mentorship opportunities with faculty as well as a community of artistic peers. 
Faculty include Dr. Douglas Kearney, Dr. Holly Melgard, Dr. Eric Sneathen and professional guest Hazel Millar (Book*hug Press). 

Description

This two-week self-directed residency offers time and space for writers to focus, reconnect, and re-energize their writing practice. In addition to a single room and a small private studio, writers will be able to engage with other writers on the program.
As a flexible self-guided program with optional elements, the Summer Writers residency allows participants to choose the amount of support they are looking for. 
Optional program elements include:

• talks from faculty members Dr. Holly Melgard, Dr. Eric Sneathen, Dr. Douglas Kearney, and professional guest Hazel Millar (Book*hug Press).
• Q & A sessions. 
• public readings.
• one-on-one mentoring with faculty to discuss ideas, experiences, and writing obstacles.

Requirements

The program is designed for established writers with a proven publication record seeking a period of dedicated time to work on a project in any genre. Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. 
This program is not open to:

• applicants who have taken part in a Banff Centre residency in the last year.
• current faculty members of any other Banff Centre programming.

This program is run in English and only accepts projects that are being written in English. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.

For more infrormation and to apply.

Dates

Application Deadline: April 16, 2025
Program Dates: September 08 - September 19, 2025

Overview  

Science Fiction is a self-directed residency that provides writers with the time and space to focus on their work away from the constraints of everyday life. During the two-week residency science fiction writers can take advantage of one-on-one mentorship opportunities with faculty, group discussions, and a community of artistic peers.
Faculty include Premee Mohamed, Ai Jiang, Amal El-Mohtar, and professional guest Ali Fisher.

Description

This two-week self-directed residency provides participants with individual accommodation and a small private studio for writers to focus, reconnect, and re-energize their writing practice. In addition, participants will be able to engage with other science fiction writers on the program.
As a flexible self-directed program with optional elements, the Science Fiction residency allows you to choose the amount of support you are looking for. 
Optional program elements include:

• thematic teachings from science fiction specialists Premee Mohamed, Ai Jiang, Amal El-Mohtar, and professional guest Ali Fisher.
• one-on-one mentoring sessions with faculty to discuss ideas, experiences and obstacles.
• Q & A sessions. 
• public readings.
• workshops to discuss useful techniques, devices and aspects.

Requirements

The residency is designed to cater to experienced, professional writers with a publication record looking to explore the future of Science Fiction writing and focus on works in progress.
Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. The residency suits those focused on:

• working on a specific project.
• creating new works.

This program is run in English and only accepts projects that are being written in English. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.

For more information and to apply.

Program Dates: April 7 – April 18, 2025
Application Deadline: January 8, 2025

Overview  

Horror Writing is a self-directed residency that provides writers with the time and space to focus on their work away from the constraints of everyday life. During this two-week residency horror writers can take advantage of one-on-one mentorship opportunities with faculty, group discussions, and a community of artistic peers. 
Faculty include horror writing specialists Jessica Johns, Shane Hawk, Cherie Dimaline, and professional guest Catharine Chen (Arsenal Pulp Press). 
All the program elements are optional, giving participants the flexibility to choose the amount of support they want.

Description

This two-week self-directed residency offers horror writers:

• thematic teachings from faculty members and professional guests.
• a community of artistic peers.
• one-on-one workshopping with faculty.
• optional group sessions exploring useful literary tools, aspects, and devices.
• an opportunity to showcase your work at a public reading.
• a personal studio space equipped for creative work.

Requirements

The program is designed to cater to horror writers working at any stage of their artistic careers, providing them with tailored opportunities for professional development and creative growth.
Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. The program suits those focused on:

• working on a specific project.
• creating new works within the genre.

This program is run in English and only accepts projects that are being written in English. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.

Eligibility

Applicants must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date. 

Domestic and international applications are welcome.

For more information and to apply: bit.ly/3YJU8j9

Shop at SAAG artist call

The Shop at SAAG Feature Artist program offers local artists and artisans a unique opportunity to exhibit and sell their work in a contemporary art gallery. Past feature artists include Nicole Riedmueller, Arianna Richardson, Cindy Baker, Lauren Kurmey, Jessica Colley, and more. 

As the feature artist, you will have the opportunity to exhibit a selection of your work in a prominent display in the Shop at SAAG for 12 to 13 weeks. Gallery staff will help you develop a unique design for the shop space to showcase your work. You’ll receive a special consignment rate and have the opportunity to work with Gallery staff to develop a public program based on your art practice. You will also be offered a free table at our Summer or Holiday Market. We will highlight your work on the Shop at SAAG’s website and online shop and through the Gallery’s social media and e-newsletter. The feature artist will also be recognized at the exhibition opening reception that aligns with your show. 
We are currently accepting applications for our Shop at SAAG Feature Artist for the following 2024-25 exhibition blocks:

• Oct. 12 2024 - Jan. 11 2025
• Jan. 25 2025 - Apr. 19 2025
• May 3 2025 - Jun. 21 2025

Eligibility

This call invites applications from artists from all backgrounds and in all stages of their career. Artists must be at least 18 to be considered and a resident of Alberta. We encourage you to consider submitting a body of work with a consistent theme or aesthetic. The Shop at SAAG aims to support the work of local artists, so artists from Lethbridge and the surrounding area will be prioritized.  

Key Dates

Call for Artists Opens: August 1, 2024
Submission Deadline: September 14, 2024 
Notifications sent by September 21, 2024

Fall 2024 Feature Artist: October 12, 2024 -January 11, 2025 
Installation: October 7-11, 2024
Take down: January 13-17, 2025

Winter 2025 Feature Artist: January 25, 2025 - April 19, 2025
Installation: January 20-24, 2025
Take down: April 21-25, 2025

Spring 2025 Feature Artist: May 3, 2025 - June 21 , 2025
Installation:  April 28 - May 2, 2025
Take down: June 22-27, 2025

Applications 

To apply, please complete the application form and provide up to 10 images of the work you wish to feature in the Shop at SAAG. Images can be emailed to kcashmore@saag.ca with the subject line “Feature Artist Call - [Name] Images”.

Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. on September 14, 2024. We thank all applicants for their interest. We will notify all applicants of the results by September 21, 2024 at the latest. If you have not heard back from us by that date, please check your spam folder. 

The Gallery is committed to continually working towards more equitable systems and practices. We welcome applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, LGBTQ2S+, d/Deaf and disabled, and from poor and working-class backgrounds. 

If you have any questions, feedback, or require support or accommodations to access this application process, please contact Keelan Cashmore, Visitor Services and Volunteer Coordinator, at 403.327.8770 x 21 or kcashmore@saag.ca.
 

Managing Director

W.P. Puppet Theatre Society
Work Arrangement: Remote
Job Type: Part-time (30 hours per week)
Pay: $45,000 - $50,000 per year
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024
Start Date: January 4, 2025

Who we are:

Established in 1991, W.P. Puppet Theatre Society (WPTS) is a NFP charitable organization based in Calgary - Moh’kinstsis. Dedicated to using puppetry to impact positive social change, we offer diverse learning opportunities and performances for audiences of all ages, both in-person and online. Our programs inspire empathy, support expression, and foster inclusivity.
We are committed to equity in our policies, practices, and programs. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from people who identify as Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, living with a disability, a religious or language minority. We work hard to provide a safe, inclusive and healthy environment. We strive to create a culture where employees can voice their opinions and offer suggestions on how we can evolve.

The Role:

The Managing Director will collaborate with staff and the Board to oversee strategic and operational management. Responsibilities include financial oversight, community engagement, and administrative leadership. The role requires flexibility for occasional busy periods and the ability to work from home in a BYOD (bring your own device) environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administrative management, including correspondence and stakeholder engagement
• Financial oversight, budget development, and day-to-day financial operations
• Technology management, ensuring digital security and operational efficiency
• Leadership in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) practices
• Community relations and networking with stakeholders and arts organizations
• Fundraising and sponsorship campaign initiation and support
• Support for marketing and communications strategies

Ideal Candidate:

We are seeking a passionate individual aligned with WPTS’s values, eager to innovate and enhance our impact. The ideal candidate will demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, exceptional organizational skills, and a commitment to community engagement. Skills, knowledge, and aptitudes include:

• Interest in theatre, arts advocacy, and puppetry
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in Google Suite, MS Office/Excel, and web-based tools/programs
• Experience in grant writing and fundraising
• Commitment to equity, inclusivity, and anti-racism
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and access to vehicle for meeting and special events

How to Apply: Interested candidates should email admin@wppuppet.com with the following:

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter (500 words or less)
• Writing sample (grant, press release, or business report)

Hiring Process:

• We will be happy to work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.
• Successful candidates are required to complete a criminal background check including the vulnerable sector.
• Applications open: August 1st
• Applications close: November 15, 2024
• Interviews: December 2024
• Start Date: January 4, 2025

Why Join Us?

Join us in making a meaningful impact through creativity and innovation in puppetry. Your expertise will contribute to our mission of fostering joy and social change for diverse audiences. Together, we will work to be the adaptive leaders that future growth needs, fostering “the ability to lead change while also building and maintaining a culture of care”. (Simon Mallet – Rosza Foundation)

We look forward to your application.

In 1924 Lauren Harris and AY Jackson traveled to Jasper to paint the Canadian Rocky Mountain landscape.

For 2024 we will revisit the sites they made famous through their artwork with Author & Historian Lisa Christensen, the perfect thing to do for Culture Days!!

Friday, September 13

Jasper Museum
Talk and Film, Where the Universe Sings

Saturday, September 14

Take a boat ride on Maligne Lake with Lisa and see the peaks made famous by Lawren Harris.
5:15 pm
$75 per person (35 tickets available!!)

Sunday, September 15

A Talk and Dinner with Lisa - at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge where Harris and Jackson stayed in 1924!!
Chef is preparing a special menu.
$120 per person

We have also received copies of A HIKER's GUIDE TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN ART OF LAWREN HARRIS. You can get a signed copy on the weekend from Lisa! $33

Tickets: jasper-community-habitat-for-the-arts.square

Info: www.travelalberta.com/events/where-the-universe-sings-20824

The image you see is also a gift to those who take in the boat ride and the dinner. Limited edition of 100 8x10 matted prints to celebrate 1924-2024! Prints will sell for $75.00.

Image permission from the Agnes Etherington Art Gallery Kingston Ontario. Lawren Stewart Harris. Athabasca Valley, Jasper Park, oil on masonite. Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen's University, Kingston. Gift of Agnes M. Benidickson, Chancellor Emeritus, Queen's University, 2011 (56-009).

Photographer: Bernard Clark.