2026 Alberta Summer Games Mural Jam

Strathcona County invites individual artists and artist teams to participate in a live mural jam coinciding with the 2026 Alberta Summer Games. Over four days (Thursday–Sunday), five selected artists/teams will create medium-scale indoor murals around the circumference of an elevated running track overlooking an indoor soccer field. The public will be able to safely observe progress from the track, creating a dynamic exchange between artists and audience.

This call seeks artists whose work celebrates movement, care, collaboration, and the spirit of youth. We welcome proposals across styles, from bold graphic abstraction to figurative storytelling, so long as the final artworks are family friendly, inclusive and responsive to the site.

Eligibility

• Open to professional artists and artist teams residing in Alberta.
• Artists 18+ are eligible; emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
• Priority may be given to artists with a demonstrated commitment to youth engagement, inclusive storytelling, ecological awareness, or live-paint settings.
• Strathcona County encourages applications from Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled artists, and artists from rural and suburban communities.

Details

• Painting weekend: Thursday to Sunday, July 16 – 19, 2026
• Location: Indoor Soccer Field & Running Track Concourse, Millennium Place, Sherwood Park, Alberta
• Number of murals: 5
• Audience: All-ages public, athletes, coaches, families, and visitors during the 2026 Alberta Summer Games

Site and mural specifications

• Site: Interior perimeter walls adjacent to the running track that circles an indoor soccer field at Millennium Place. Spectators will view murals from the track and concourse.
• Bays: Five distinct paint areas (one per selected artist/team).
• Approx. dimensions: ~14 ft (h) × 25 ft (w) per bay (each wall varies slightly). Please be prepared to adapt the composition to minor size differences.
• Surface: Painted interior wall (existing coatings to be confirmed).
• Access: Step ladders and portable scaffolding permitted
• Environmental conditions: Climate controlled interior; steady public traffic on the track.
• Lighting: Overhead facility lighting.

Theme and community guidelines

• Themes: Inclusivity · Timeless design · Non‑representational form · Action · Movement · Youthful energy. Designs that explore rhythm, cadence, and flow.
• Content standards: All imagery must be appropriate for all ages.

Artist fee and supplies

• Artist Fee: $40 CAD / sq ft (+ GST if applicable) of completed mural area (inclusive of materials and travel).

• Wall 1: 13.33 ft (H) × 20.33 ft (W) = 271.00 sq ft ($10,840 fee)
• Wall 2: 13.50 ft (H) × 20.12 ft (W) = 271.62 sq ft ($10,865 fee)
• Wall 3: 14.20 ft (H) × 24.00 ft (W) = 340.80 sq ft ($13,632 fee)
• Wall 4: 13.50 ft (H) × 24.33 ft (W) = 328.46 sq ft ($13,138 fee)
• Wall 5: 13.50 ft (H) × 33.45 ft (W) = 451.58 sq ft ($18,063 fee)

Materials and equipment

• County provides wall prep (wash/prime), basic onsite tools (drop sheets, buckets, rollers, trays), step ladders, access to water, and facility coordination.

• Artist provides: all paint, brushes, specialty colours, detail tools, PPE, sealers/varnishes as preferred (costs covered within the per / sq ft fee).

Insurance

General liability coverage provided for public viewing areas. Artists who operate as a registered business (with GST#) must carry personal/professional liability insurance and WCB coverage where applicable (confirmed in artist agreements).

Schedule (subject to change)

• Call opens: October 27, 2025
• Deadline to apply: December 8, 2025
• Notifications: February 2026
• Site walkthrough: March 2026
• Designs for selected artists: April 2026
• Painting days: Thursday–Sunday, July 16–19, 2026 (games weekend)
• Clean up and documentation: Sunday evening, July 19, 2026

Selection criteria

Evaluated by internal selection committee

1. Artistic Quality (45%): strength of portfolio, originality, command of composition, colour, and scale.
2. Context (25%): alignment with themes (inclusivity, timeless design, action/movement, youthful energy).
3. Capacity & Feasibility (20%): demonstrated ability to complete work at the indicated scale and within a live-paint, four-day timeline.
4. Professionalism & Safety (10%): experience working in public venues; safe practices and collaboration with facility staff.

Shortlisted artists will receive a design brief and produce a concept for committee approval prior to painting.

How to apply (one PDF, max 10 MB)

Portfolio submission. Do not submit a mural concept at this stage. Shortlisted artists will be commissioned to develop designs for approval by the Selection Committee.

Include in a single PDF (max 10 MB):

1. Contact Info: Name, pronouns, mailing address, phone, email, website/IG.
2. Artist Statement (max 200 words): your approach to murals and working in public/live contexts.
3. CV/Resume (max 2 pages): mural/public art/community experience.
4. Portfolio (6–12 images): captioned with title, year, medium, dimensions, location, and your role.
5. References (2): names, titles, emails/phones who can speak to your mural or community practice.
6. Accessibility Notes (optional): what you need to participate fully.

Submit: Email your PDF to public.art@strathcona.ca with subject line: Mural Jam 2026 – Portfolio – Your Name.

Artist responsibilities

• Attend virtual orientation and onsite safety briefing.
• Ensure paints are low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), durable coatings suited to interior sports facilities.
• Protect floors and equipment; maintain a tidy work zone; follow all safety procedures.
• Work during public hours and be open to brief, informal interactions.
• Complete mural within the event timeline; participate in final photo/documentation and short artist spotlight.

County provides

• Prepared walls (cleaned/primed), drop cloths, basic rollers/brushes, and cleaning supplies.
• Step ladders/portable scaffold (as approved), access to water and wash stations, secure storage for materials.
• Event staffing, wayfinding, and crowd safety barriers on the track.
• Photography/video documentation and promotion through Summer Games channels.

Rights and reproduction

• The completed murals become part of the facility’s interior environment for a period of ten years or until decommissioned following County policy.
• Artists retain copyright to their designs. The County and Games organizers retain the right to photograph/record the artworks and artists for documentation, educational, and promotional purposes with credit.
• Any significant alterations, maintenance, or decommissioning will follow the County’s public art procedures.

Equity, safety, and respect

Strathcona County is committed to creating welcoming, inclusive spaces. Harassment, discrimination, or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated. All participants must adhere to facility safety protocols and staff direction. If your design engages cultural motifs, please describe your relationship to those traditions and how you will steward them responsibly.