“I never had the words before.”

At the heart of Calgary’s vibrant Arts Commons is a powerful initiative quietly transforming both artists and the communities they touch.

The Arts ReimaginED initiative has grown into a dynamic space for teaching artists to connect with the community, and now, there is a way to define this important work with a common language, says Arts Commons’ Associate Director of Education, Karen Youngberg, who is also a program facilitator.

“We just finished our third year of teaching artist development. And over the three years, we've been trying to build a common language that we can use as a foundation in a teaching artist practice,” Youngberg explains.  

For many, it’s the first time they’ve had words to describe their work and its impact.

“This year, we were able to test it in a space with the teaching artists for the first time and it was amazing. Some artists have said, ‘I never had the words before. I could never find the words to describe what I do’”, Youngberg says. “And it validates a teaching artist's practice for those who don't understand it.” 

More than just industry jargon

More than 100 artists have contributed to building this shared vocabulary that has become a living document—a flexible, evolving guide that reflects both the artists' personal growth and the communities they serve. Examples include:

• Process over product
• Authenticity and adaptability
• Deep reflection and engagement
• Community building and collaboration

For many teaching artists, the program’s language is deeply validating as a way for teaching artists to define their important work. The program itself provides a space where the artists can root their practice, reflect on their methods and discover new possibilities.

“It’s about building a community that centres artists in their practice—and then supports them as they take that out into the world,” Youngberg says.

The program is built on invitation and participation. Artists are invited to try something new, to explore what it means to teach and to see how that teaching enhances their own artistry.  

Beyond the walls of Arts Commons

What makes this initiative truly special is that it isn’t confined to the walls of Arts Commons, says Arts Commons’ Festival Manager and teaching artist, Paula Timm.

“It’s about building a community that centres artists in their practice and supports them as they bring their skills into schools, workshops and public spaces,” Timm explains.

The initiative is designed to empower teaching artists and transform arts education by providing artists with opportunities for professional development, collaboration and mentorship that can reverberate into the community with a ripple effect.

“There aren’t many places where you can test an artistic idea in a supportive, engaged environment—where the process matters just as much as the product,” Timms says.

“I think that is something pretty special because there aren’t a lot of places in the arts community where you can have an idea and have an engaged audience that wants to see it through and be there for the process of it and not just serving a product,” Timm adds.

As the artists go out into the world, they bring with them the ethos of collaboration, reflection, and co-creation, impacting not just those they teach but entire communities in many cases.

Sharing, teaching and exploring creativity

Calgary-based spoken word artist and writer Priscille Buckahsa has spent more than 14 years infusing the community with captivating performances.

A teaching artist at Arts Commons, Buckahsa says she started her art journey as a personal outlet, but the more she shared, the more she saw how it resonated with the community and now it’s a big part of her life.

“I’m an artist at heart. I’ve always been drawn to expression, especially through spoken word poetry and performance,” Bukasa says, adding what she finds most fulfilling is watching someone who didn’t think they were a writer or an artist, discover their creativity.

“Teaching became a natural extension of that. I love the moment when someone realizes they have something to say and that their voice has weight. I know the feeling of experiencing the joy of releasing words and speaking them out loud. I just want others to experience that as well.”

Opportunities such as the ones offered through Arts Commons are vital, Bukasa adds.

“Arts Commons plays such a huge role in holding space for creativity; They provide access, mentorship and platforms for so many voices. There’s something powerful about being part of a place that invests in both the art, the artists and teaching artists.”

Brendon Many Bears is not just an artist; he is a passionate storyteller dedicated to sharing his Blackfoot heritage as a teaching artist.  

“One of the things I really enjoy about teaching, especially in the arts, is seeing how creative people can be when in these workshops. It's always fun seeing how different each art piece is to everyone and seeing new ones in each workshop,” Many Bears says.

He believes it is important to have these types of opportunities in communities.

“For me, since I merge a lot of teachings from my Blackfoot culture, I find that it bridges gaps and helps people not only learn about the art but also the culture at the same time.” 

Looking ahead: advocacy and expansion

The focus is now shifting toward advocacy and the upcoming phase includes the creation of a year-long working group, where community feedback from the Arts ReimaginED Summit will be transformed into action. From more artists in classrooms to more accessible workshops, the work is just beginning.

For those wondering how they can be part of this inspiring movement, the invitation is open. Whether you’re an artist, educator, community member, or just someone curious about teaching artistry, you can:

• Reach out to Arts Commons via email or social media
• Join a working group or attend a summit
• Observe a class or workshop in action
• Meet over coffee and share your ideas