Call for Artists│Artist Civil Service

Deadline: October 10, 2025 11:59pm

Artist Call

Artist Civil Service is an experimental program that will support four Edmonton-based visual artists to work part-time in civil service roles and part-time on their artistic practices over a four-month period, a total of 8 hours/week. Artists will be paid a monthly artist fee, and receive a materials stipend and the use of a studio space. Organized by Latitude 53 and artist Zachary Ayotte, this project explores alternative funding models for artists while simultaneously investing in the civic infrastructure that sustains communities. Artists will be embedded in public institutions—from parks and sanitation to libraries and community centres—and will be supported to develop both their creative work and their connections to the city's civic life.

Latitude 53 will administer the program in partnership with local civic organizations and departments. Zachary Ayotte will provide mentorship, regular check-ins, and reflective programming (e.g., group discussions, documentation, and public sharing) to ensure that the artists’ experiences are supported and that learning from the project can be shared with broader audiences. The artists work and studio schedules will be set collaboratively with the artists and civic organizations, ensuring that this project is equitable and feasible for the artists.

The project will culminate with a public presentation (an exhibition, publication, and panel discussion) to share the participating artists’ work, reflections, and insights into how this model impacted how the artists worked and how it might evolve and scale within Edmonton and beyond.

Read more about Artist Civil Service here.

Structure and Timeline

Work and studio placements will take place between January 2 - March 31, 2026, depending on artist, studio, and civic placement availability. Zach Ayotte will coordinate regular meetings with artists, documenting their studio and civic work.

Artists will receive a $2000 artist fee, as well as a materials stipend and the use of a studio space during the work/studio placement period. 

The gallery exhibition is scheduled for April 18 - May 30. Artists will also receive artist fees for the exhibition and public presentation events in accordance with CARFAC rates.

Expressions of Interest Submissions

Artists will submit an expression of interest through this form. Submissions should include:

• Bio (150 words)

• Artist statement (max 250 words)

• Artist CV in pdf format

• A brief statement of why you want to participate in this project and how it relates to your practices

• Link to samples of previous work/website

Please contact us at director@latitude53.org if you require additional accommodations for submitting your application, or if you have any questions. We thank everyone for their interest, but only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. 

We are committed to the support of Indigenous artists and artists from equity-seeking groups. The selection criteria will include demonstration of risk-taking, experimentation, and curiosity; alignment with the values of inclusivity, responsiveness, connectivity, transparency and boldness; and ability to collaborate creatively with community. 

This project is generously supported by the Edmonton Arts Council's Connections & Exchanges initiative.