Skip to content

Connects

RBC Emerging Visual Artists Program

RBCEVAP_SeriesPage

RBC Emerging Visual Artists Program (RBC EVAP)

Becoming a successful artist is about more than innate ability; it is a purposeful combination of opportunity, meaningful hard work, and mentorship.

The RBC Emerging Visual Artists Program (RBC EVAP) provides an opportunity for emerging visual artists in Calgary to develop their artistic practice; to showcase their work to the public through exhibitions, open studio, and speaking engagements; and hone their professional skills in order to build a solid foundation for a successful career.

RBC EVAP artists will participate in the following sessions:

  • Four professional development sessions (such as financial planning, grant writing, how to improve online presence, marking, networking, etc.)
  • One-on-one mentorship opportunities with Arts Commons’  Senior Curator, Visual and Media Arts
  • Group mentorship sessions and engagements with established artists and curator
  • Panel discussion, portfolio review, and networking events that connect emerging artists with local art leaders, galleries, and arts professionals

RBC EVAP artists will be featured in the following Arts Commons Galleries spaces:

Who is this program for?
The RBC Emerging Visual Artists Program at Arts Commons focuses on supporting visual emerging artists across all art forms who generally:

  • Self-identify as an emerging artist of any age.
  • Are in the early stages of their career, in their art form, usually within the first few years.
  • Are demonstrably committed to devoting more time to their artistic activity or currently devote approx. 24 hours per week to their art.
  • Are involved in their creative community.
  • Make a financial commitment to their practice and seek their primary income from their artistic work.
  • Have little presentation or publication history, Including showcases outside their primary country of residence.
  • Please note the program is based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) and requires some in-person attendance.

Learn more about artist opportunities with Arts Commons program.

 Submissions are welcome year-round, but the deadline for the 2024-25 season has passed.

Apply Now

Other Artist Opportunities

FAQs

I’VE NEVER BEEN TO A UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, OR HAVE NOT RECEIVED ACCREDITED TRAINING IN THE ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE I’M WORKING IN. CAN I STILL APPLY?

Yes, you may still apply to both TD Incubator and RBC EVAP. Many professional artists/artistic practices are developed through trial and error, lived-experience, mentorship, etc. However, be prepared to speak to your specific experience and education, however you may articulate it. Even if your education / training is not formal or accredited it is valuable to know so the curatorial team can best understand your professional artistic journey.

I’ve left my artistic practice and am returning to it. Can I still apply?

Yes, you may still apply to TD Incubator and/or RBC EVAP. Many artists leave their artistic practice to focus on other career paths or to manage changes to their personal situation. The important factor is that you are committed to a professional arts practice – e.g. this is a career, not an activity that you pick up and put down lightly.

Can my artist collective apply as a group or do we all need to apply individually?

Artist collectives may apply as a group for both TD Incubator and RBC EVAP. Please make sure it is clear on your application that you are a group and list the name of a main contact person. If your application is successful, we will ask for information from the other members of the artist collective.

What is the time commitment required of artists selected for TD Incubator/RBC EVAP?

The program schedules will vary at different times during the season, but artists can expect to spend approximately four hours a month in professional development, networking, and or mentorship events. When artists are exhibiting and/or performing, there will be a greater time commitment required and artists will be paid according to industry standards. Time commitment and expectations will be outlined as part of the offer that is presented to invited artists.   

Engagements will take place in person in Calgary/Moh'kins'tsis. If you do not live in the city, you must be able to commute in for these sessions.   

Will I have the dates for professional development and networking ahead of time?

Yes. All program dates will be communicated as part of the program offer.

What are the possible paid opportunities for performance and/or exhibition?

Artists will be selected to showcase their work in the Arts Commons Galleries and a CARFAC standard artist fee will be paid to those exhibiting artists. 

Do I pay to participate?

No, there is no cost to participate in the professional development, networking, and/or mentorship elements of either TD Incubator or RBC EVAP – these are offered to advance artists’ knowledge, networks and career. Selected artists ARE compensated for the work that they exhibit and/or perform for audiences, and all selected artists will have at least one opportunity to exhibit and/or perform for audiences.

Are you looking to present existing work or new work from artists?

We are looking to present the artistic work that is most important to the artist applying in both TD Incubator and RBC EVAP. That said, the artist fees are associated with presentations and exhibitions, therefore the fees do not cover the commissioning of new work, unless you are a resident artist in the Ledge Gallery or Lightbox Studio (associated with the RBC EVAP program).

Can I be selected to exhibit in more than one gallery?

No, selected RBC EVAP artists will exhibit once in an Arts Commons gallery space per season. TD Incubator artists may be included in many series, performances, and/or exhibitions.