Call to Enter: The Works Art & Design Festival

The Works International Visual Arts Society produces art and education initiatives that engage diverse communities, disrupt the everyday, and facilitate connection and wonder. The Works is now calling for proposals for exhibits and installations, to animate Sir Winston Churchill Square and other public spaces in Edmonton, June 19 to July 1, 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to apply with projects that consider location, environment, proximity, and influence, while considering the following guiding questions:

  • What makes as space a place?

  • Does distance impact relevance?

  • What does it mean to share an experience?

  • How do mediated environments impact relationships?

  • How does your practice reflect or construct the worlds that you live in?

How to Apply:

Applicants are invited to apply under to the following project streams:

  • Site-specific installations are large-scale, temporary works created to activate public spaces during The Works Art & Design Festival, primarily, but not exclusive to, Sir Winston Churchill Square. These installations serve as anchor points for the festival and are designed to be impactful, memorable, and often include multiple layers of engagement for visitors and communities. 

    Installations may be pre-built and transported to the festival or constructed on-site with support from The Works' production team, interns, and volunteers. 

    The scope of these projects can vary widely. Applicants are encouraged to be detailed in their proposal when outlining costs, budget (including desired compensation) and timeline. If your proposal involves a complex build or detailed planning, we recommend including at least one reference from a past presenter or commissioning partner.  

    Important Notes:

    • All site-specific installations must be installed and removed within a 12-hour window.  

    • Project budgets are flexible and can vary widely.

    • Where it is deemed helpful or necessary to begin a selected project, up to 50% of fees may be paid upon the signing of a contract.   

  • Ready-to-show art exhibits featuring the work of one or more artists. These exhibitions typically consist of a cohesive collection that includes: 

    • 10 medium-scale artworks (approximately 2’x2’ to 4’x4’); or 

    • 6 large-scale artworks (approximately 4’x4’ or larger). 

    Submissions must include the actual works that will be displayed. Proposals for works still in progress will not be accepted.  

Applications Open: September 4, 2025
Deadline: November 7, 2025
*Deadline if requesting feedback: October 22, 2025

The call to enter for The Works Art & Design Festival is now closed. For inquiries, please email curatorial@theworks.ab.ca.

Application Suport:

The following supports are available to all applicants:

  • Artists are encouraged to submit proposals for impactful, ambitious projects, even if they require additional expertise to realize the project. Artists may request, or The Works may offer, mentorship and development in areas such as project management, exhibit production, fund development, and community outreach.

  • Artists may submit a draft proposal or meet with The Works Curatorial Department prior to applying to receive feedback and guidance. Deadline to request feedback: October 22, 2025.

  • Mailed-in applications, voice recordings, videos, telephone calls, etc. may be arranged upon request. If you intend to submit an application in an alternative format, contact our curatorial team at curatorial@theworks.ab.ca/ 

Equity & Access Support:

The Works offers a range of supports to help reduce barriers to artistic participation. Racism, ableism, gendered violence, and other systemic barriers continue to limit the participation of many communities in the arts. Artists who are Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Disabled, Transgender, or part of any community facing systemic oppression are encouraged to self-identify and request additional funding, mentorship, accommodations, or other supports as needed.

Monetary Support – Barriers can include cost, physical and linguistic accessibility, time constraints, mental health, and more.

A $100* application honorarium is intended to partially compensate artists for time invested in preparing a proposal for The Works Art & Design Festival. To apply, applicants must submit a short statement about why you are requesting the honorarium, and a brief description of your project (100 – 250 words).

Individuals are required to submit an expression of interest, prior to submitting your application. The Works does not guarantee the acceptance of all proposals. Click here to submit your expression of interest.

Additional Project Fees – Up to $500* in additional artist fees are available to eligible equity seeking applicants to support accessibility and other equity concerns as defined in your budget. Please identify a section of your requested budget as Equity and Accessibility Support. *Funds are issued by cheque and may take up to 4 weeks to process. Personal information, including legal name, address, and usually a SIN, is required. We recognize these steps may pose barriers and encourage you to request accommodations where needed, within our legal limits.

The Works Art & Design Festival offers a variety of other opportunities to get involved — including volunteering, food truck vending, art and craft markets, community collaborations, and more. To stay up to date on upcoming opportunities, deadlines, and announcements, sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know how you can take part in the Festival!

Other Ways to be Involved:

If you have any questions or require further information about the call to enter, email curatorial@theworks.ab.ca.

For More Information: