Call for Treaty 7 Indigenous Artist: Public Art Mural Opportunity, YYC Calgary Airport

Location of Artwork Wall. Coloured pattern is for illustrative purposes only.

Call for Submissions: Centralized Passenger Screening Public Art Mural at YYC Calgary International Airport

Submission Deadline: January 15, 2026 at 11:59pm MT

This mural is within the new Centralized Passenger Screening area, which is highly visible to guests as they pack up belongings after screening. The Centralized Passenger Screening project will consolidate three separate security screening points for domestic passengers into one location in the Domestic Terminal Building. Passengers on all domestic flights out of YYC will pass through this preboarding checkpoint. Each lane will be equipped with CATSA+ CT X-Ray screening equipment, which provides an advanced 3D scan of baggage contents, so passengers will keep laptops, medical devices, and permitted liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on luggage throughout the screening process. The artwork will be used on the back wall of the Centralized Passenger Screening area. Learn more about the space here.

Project Requirements

Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, particularly Call to Action 92, our goal is to foster understanding, respect, and sharing of local Indigenous cultures. This project underscores the responsibility of corporations to contribute to Reconciliation by promoting and respecting the culture of local Indigenous Peoples. We aim to deepen the appreciation of Indigenous histories and traditions by promoting these principles and advancing Reconciliation and cultural awareness. The Reconciliation Strategy states under the Statement of Commitments, that we are committed to: “collaborating with Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners to create spaces that celebrate and preserve Indigenous culture and histories.”

The intent is for the artwork that will support the Indigenous Reconciliation Strategy to create spaces that celebrate and preserve Indigenous culture and histories. The selected artist will be a member of one of the Treaty 7 First Nations and develop an original concept that considers the cultural context of Treaty 7. Calgary Airports intention is that the large 2D artwork will be:

• Welcoming and inviting for visitors and staff by conveying Indigenous prominence, presence, and permanence.
• A reflection of Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Ways of Doing, Ways of Connecting and Ways of Being.
• An innovative experiential opportunity for all visitors and staff to learn about and learn from Indigenous histories, epistemologies, philosophies, and methodologies.
• A reminder of both ‘Truth’ and ‘Reconciliation’, the important work that we all must do to learn the truths, and actively reconcile the consequences of these truths in the spaces where we learn, work, or socialize.
• Fabricated to serve both aesthetic and acoustic functions, the artwork fabricated will absorb sound in a large open space.

This project will also support YYC’s Thematic Master Plan, a strategic framework that guides the design and selection of physical elements across YYC Calgary Airport. This plan ensures that expansions, renovations, and installations by Calgary Airports and its partners (airlines, tenants, etc.) reflect a central theme rooted in Calgary’s identity.

Eligibility

The selected Artist, or Artist Teams, will design artwork on the back wall of the new Centralized Passenger Screening area. The selected artist will be responsible for the design and will be consulted on the fabrication and installation stages of the project. This call is open to all Calgary and surrounding area Treaty 7 First Nations artists that are 18 years of age and older.

Artwork wall with dimensions and notes. We can also provide a more detailed breakdown with the project team once an artist has been selected.

Compensation

$13,500 Artist Fee includes all costs for site visit(s). One Artist or Artist team will be selected. A tour of the installation site can be arranged for the artist.

Selection Process

The successful candidate will be selected for this opportunity through both an open call and an invitational process. Applicants will receive, within 5 business days, e-mail confirmation of successful receipt of their complete application. Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of YYC staff, Indigenous community members, and Project Coordinator Dawn Saunders Dahl. The Committee will evaluate applications according to selection criteria including:

• Demonstrated experience in the visual arts / graphic design; arts education and public art experience is an asset, but not required
• Demonstrated interest in collaboration through consultation throughout the project process
• Knowledge of Indigenous art practices and cultural protocols
• Strong communication skills will be an asset
• Demonstrated understanding of the project and its context
• Experience in project management as related to the creation of public artwork is an asset, but not required

All applicants will receive an email regarding the Committee’s decision on their application.

Submission Requirements

Applications must include:

• Artist CV or Resume (3 pages max)
• Expression of Interest (1 page max) to describe the applicant’s:
  ◦  Artmaking / graphic design education and practice
  ◦  Public art experiences (not required)
• Images of past work (10 *.JPEG images max). Image files must be clearly labeled to include:
  ◦  Artist name, Artwork title, Artwork dimensions, Medium used, Year created
• Images of past work (10 *.JPEG images max). Image files must be clearly labeled to include:
  ◦  Artist name, Artwork title, Artwork dimensions, Medium used, Year created
• Two references. References must include:
  ◦  Name, Contact Information, and Relationship to the Artist

How to Submit

Applications will be submitted via email to indigenouspublicart@gmail.com (Subject Line: Indigenous Treaty 7 Artist YYC Application) as one or more clearly labeled *.PDF files. Please cc proposals@yyc.com.

Applications must be received no later than January 15, 2026 at 11:59pm.

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Dawn Saunders Dahl
indigenouspublicart@gmail.com

YYC Calgary International Airport
2000 Airport Road NE
Calgary, AB T2E 6W5
yyc.com

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Accessibility: YYC Calgary Airport is fully accessible. For more information, visit www.yyc.com/en-us/accessibility.