Calgary

The City of Kelowna invites local, national, and international professional artists, artist-led teams, and cultural makers working in diverse artistic mediums to submit their Expressions of Interest for several public art commissions that are part of Building a Stronger Kelowna (BSK), a group of recreational projects that work together to build deeper community connections across the city.

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 2 pm (PST) 

Building a Stronger Kelowna includes the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre, Mill Creek restoration, which is part of the Parkinson Recreation Centre site, and all-ages activity centres at Glenmore Rec Park, Rutland Lions Park, and Mission Rec Park. This suite of projects is a unique opportunity to develop a curatorial program of permanent and temporary artworks that will be original, inspired by Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley, and help tell the stories of this place.

Public art sites have not been determined yet and will evolve out of the integrated project delivery approach that is being used by the BSK team and this call for artists. Artists who apply to this call may be considered for public art commissions at any of the BSK locations. 

Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit artists and/or cultural makers with connections to the syilx Okanagan people’s territory are encouraged to apply.

Read the full Call to Artists at https://www.kelowna.ca/our-community/planning-projects/building-stronger-kelowna/building-stronger-kelowna-call-artists-0

City of Kelowna
1435 Water Street, Kelowna BC, V1Y 1J4
www.kelowna.ca
Artcalls@kelowna.ca 
250.469.8500

PUPPET POWER 2025

October 18-19, 2025
In-person held at Calgary's Centre for Newcomers

INSPIRE, INFORM, GALVANIZE

Puppet Power 2025 (PP25) will delve into the complex subject of immigration, offering a creative and innovative perspective through the lens of puppetry.

WP Puppet Theatre is excited to share the amazing work being done by puppeteers from around the world, showcasing empathetic approaches, impactful interventions and inspiration as well as the challenges, failures and recoveries. Their three key goals are:

• To raise awareness of the many interconnected forces that shape global and local immigration
• To provide a platform for newcomers and those working in immigrant-serving organizations to share their personal stories
• To offer practical and inspiring methodologies for impactful interventions using applied puppetry practices.

The two-day hybrid event will feature: 

• Four live-streamed watch parties + quick puppet making activities
• A vibrant community-building evening event + dinner + professional puppet performance
• A puppet-infused Rapid Ideation session for Calgary social agencies working with immigrants
• In-person master puppet making workshops
• Post conference recordings and resources
• Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch.

PP25, the 13th iteration of WP Puppet Theatre’s signature festival, is designed as a call to action and professional development for adults, students, teachers, social workers and ‘helping professionals’ who are seeking mentoring and training in using puppetry in applied settings. 

With Calgary hospitality the friendly event also supports mental health and wellness through creativity, self-realization and connection.

For more information and to register for this event, please visit their website.