Menu
I would like to search:
Arts and Culture

Musical Artist in Residence

Now accepting applications for 2026

Call for Musical Artist in Residence 2026

Overview   

Application Timeframe: June 5 – July 17, 2026
The residency runs for 10 weeks from October 5 – December 11, 2026 

The Calgary Public Library represents unlimited possibilities and inspires people of all ages to wonder, seek, discover, and share in our 22 community library locations.  

The Calgary Public Library invites applications for the paid position of Musical Artist in Residence. The program is a 10-week community engagement residency that supports emerging and established musical artists working in any genre with any instrument, whether that is a guitar for playing or pen for composing.  

The Resident is invited to work in a designated office space of the Central Library and will engage with the public through programs such as open office hours, interactive/online workshops, presentations to school groups, and live performances. The Musical Artist in Residence works with the Library to create collaborative and inclusive environments where all community members are welcome to participate and connect through music. 

The Musical Artist in Residence provides patrons with a connection to lived experience within the musical world - whether through performance, composition, practice or discussion - the resident is an avenue for patrons to discover more about both Calgary’s musical environment and the working world of a practicing musician or composer.  

Performance spaces will be provided within the Libraries along with technical materials and assistance for all residency related programs and performances.  

Application deadline: July 17, 2026 

Who Should Apply?    

The successful candidate has a demonstrated passion for music which they are eager to share, and an ability to work with and inspire people of all ages. The successful candidate will have:     

  • Professional success in their field of musical arts  
  • A commitment to supporting Calgary’s music community   
  • Knowledge of the local music industry, including channels for artist management and recording, distributing and promoting music 
  • Wide-ranging knowledge and interest in a variety of contemporary musical genres
  • Knowledge of music theory
  • Experience in teaching diverse audiences, and mentorship expertise in teaching music related workshops 
  • Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to work online and in-person with groups and one-on-one  
  • Alignment with Calgary Public Library values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and commitment to Truth and Reconciliation 

Responsibilities 

The Musical Arts in Residence will:   

  • Host regular office hours during which the Resident will have scheduled or drop-in consultations with aspiring and established musicians.
  • Develop and deliver a minimum of three workshops, programs and/or performances of interest to the musical arts community and the general public, inclusive in this is a final performance or presentation. The workshops and programs should appeal to a diverse audience and may be recorded for use by the Library later. The Library has the right to stream the workshops, programs and/or performances live on the Calgary Public Library’s website, social media accounts or other platforms.
  • Be featured in public events, if invited, including virtual community engagement events (which may be audio or video captured for future dissemination), and may be asked to engage in media coverage.
  • Provide a written evaluation of the Musical Artist in Residence program at the end of the 2026 program
  • Adhere to the Library’s copyright regulations in the use, presentation and performance of any music and materials throughout the residency 

Remuneration   

The Musical Artist in Residence honorarium is $50.00 per hour up to 160 hours per residency for a total of $8000. This amount includes offsite preparation time and onsite program delivery time, including consultations, office hours and residency proposed project work.  

Evaluation of Applications   

Applicants will be evaluated based on inclusion of the following:   

  • Statement/bio (250 words or fewer)  
  • Resume or CV (PDF) with demonstrated experience in community engagement and teaching  
  • Digital sample of recorded music (mp3 or streaming link) and written music or lyrics (if applicable).  If uploading files, please include last name in the file name
  • Description of residency project proposal – what will you be working on?
  • Description of proposed public programs/workshops during the residency, including the final performance or presentation. Please feel free to add as much detail as possible including intended audience 

The successful candidate will be selected by a committee of Calgary Public Library representatives and a community representative.  All applicants will be notified once the committee has made its selection at the end of July. The successful candidate will be notified, but their name will not be announced until the residency has been secured.   

Please submit applications to:   
Residencies: Musical Artist in Residence
Partnered Programming department
Central Library, 800 3 Street SE   
Calgary, AB T2G 2E7   

Or electronically to residencies@calgarylibrary.ca 

Application deadline: Friday, July 17, 2026