Produced by the Visual Arts Week Society (VAWS), a non-profit society run by volunteers who share the same dedication to enlighten the public’s awareness, experience and enjoyment of contemporary architecture, design and visual arts, is the Artcity Festival, a ten day bonanza of stunningly unique art installations.

Held annually in Calgary, Artcity injects an abundance of artistic installations and projects into the urban landscape, designed for the artistic enlightenment of the citizens of Calgary as they go about their daily lives.

Founded in 1991, the Artcity Festival was formerly known as Artweek and was inaugurated to bring a focus on art projects to a city lacking in artistic focus. Throughout its 20 year history, Artcity has developed from being a small exhibition, principally embracing sculptures and paintings, into a full-scale festival renowned for its prestigious international and national assemble of professionals from the world of art and architecture.

The Artcity Festival has certainly achieved its aim of creating a visually creative and culturally stimulating city, which encourages its citizens to be involved in ensuring art and culture remains a vital feature in the vibrant city.

Whilst the exact date of this culturally-inspiring festival has yet to have been announced, the twentieth incarnation of the Artcity Festival is now seeking submissions until May 01 2011. Proposals should be based around providing a temporary architectural installation that is focused on the following themes: The utopian nature of outdoor rock music festivals, the nomadic nature of Artcity festival, township or multiple structure them, or the need for space/structure where the public can assemble en-mass, enjoy and be challenged.

According to the City of Calgary website, the city believes that Calgarians of all ages can “enrich and enhance their lives through creative expression, and is dedicated to growing Calgary through a rich and lively Arts and Culture community.”

This volunteer-run and flexible festival provides recognition of the continuously evolving needs of artists and how they express themselves, and by doing so brings unique and challenging art and architecture into the public domain.

For more information on the Artcity Festival visit the website.

Be Sociable, Share!

•