Smartwear Revolution SUPPORT festival Expressions of Interest The Co-Designing a Smartwear Revolution research project at the University of Alberta invites artists, designers, performers, and artist-researchers to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the SUPPORT Festival, taking place in 2028. The festival will explore the many meanings of support—physical, emotional, social, cultural, and technological—through exhibitions, performances, fashion, creative research, public discussions, and hybrid (in-person and online) events. Who can apply? We welcome applications from local, national, and international artists of all backgrounds and abilities. We especially encourage applications from people with lived or professional experience related to disability, chronic illness, aging, caregiving, rehabilitation, mobility, or healthcare. Collectives, organizations, and artist-researchers are also encouraged to apply. What we're looking for We welcome proposals for: ● New work inspired by the SUPPORT theme ● Existing work that fits the festival ● Creative responses developed through a Spring 2027 artist residency ● Other innovative ideas—we're open to being surprised! Projects may include visual art, performance, fashion, digital media, installations, research-based work, or hybrid/online formats. About the Smartwear Revolution project The Smartwear Revolution is a six-year, federally funded research project developing wearable technologies that look and feel like everyday clothing while providing physical support for movement, posture, balance, and mobility. Artists are invited to critically and creatively engage with ideas of care, technology, embodiment, access, identity, and the future of assistive clothing. More information can be found on the project website. How to apply Submit via our Google form or by email to adwg@ualberta.ca: ● Artist statement (250–500 words) ● Artist biography or short CV (250–500 words) ● 8–10 work samples ● Project proposal (250–500 words) Applications may also be submitted in accessible formats, including audio or video. Selected applicants Artists selected for Stage 2 will receive an honorarium ($50–$100) to develop a full proposal. Final selected artists will receive professional artist fees (CARFAC/CADA/CAEA as applicable), with additional production support available for some projects. Timeline ● EOI deadline: December 15, 2026 ● Stage 1 results: January 15, 2027 ● Full proposals due: February 15, 2027 ● Final selections announced: March 15, 2027 Information sessions, application support, and accessibility accommodations are available throughout the process. More information about this Open Call for works, as well as a Call for artists-in-residence can be found on the project website or by emailing adwg@ualberta.ca ● 1. Preferred Pronouns: 2. Name: (first and last name) 3. Email: 4. If you prefer not to communicate via email, please let us know how you prefer to be contacted. Ex. Phone - (780) 234 5678 5. Link to website and/or social media profile. Please leave blank if you don't have these. 6. I am geographically located in: 7. I am interested in making creative work for… 1. a visual art exhibition in FAB Gallery, Gallery A, McMullen Gallery 2. a live performance work presented at Timms Centre for the Arts 3. a fashion or live dress related work. 4. A virtual artwork / performance / fashion work. 5. Other________________________________ 8. I am proposing… 1. An existing artwork/performance/fashion creation that requires no modification 2. A remake/restaging of on an existing artwork or a work in progress 3. A new work that I would make independently of the Smartwear team 4. A new work that I would like to make in response to the Smartwear Revolution call 5. Other: ____________________________ 9. Artist statement (250-500 words) Describe your artistic practice, including the themes, ideas, materials, or methods that are important to your work. (e.g., What kind of art do you make? What inspires your work? What topics or communities do you explore? What materials, media, or processes do you commonly use?) 10. Artist biography (250-500 words) or a short artist CV. Tell us about yourself as an artist, including your background, experience, and any important achievements or milestones. (e.g., What is your artistic background? Have you participated in exhibitions, performances, residencies, or community projects?) 11. Project proposal (250-500 words) Describe the work you propose for the Support festival, including medium, themes and ideal venue requirements. 12. We are not asking for accessibility information at this stage, but if you have accessibility requests you would like to share with us to help prepare a full application, please let us know. 13. Do you self-identify as a person with lived experience of muscle weakness, caregiving or older age? If so you are welcome to explain here how this might inform your contribution (250 words maximum) 14. I would like to work in dialogue with the Smartwear team to create a new work. Please note there is a separate EOI for a more structured 2 month Artist-in-Residence in Spring 2027 which can be found here 1. Yes 2. No 3. Maybe 15. If you are interested to meet and discuss ideas with the Smartwear research team, what aspects of the project would you be most interested to focus on? 1. Disability justice 2. Sensors and actuators 3. Batteries/Power 4. Biomechanics/movement 5. Intelligent control 6. Textile integration 7. Healthcare Policy 8. Other:_______________________________________ 16. If you are interested in using some of the facilities at the University of Alberta to create your work, what facilities are you most interested in working with? 1. Digital Scholarship Centre (3D printing, scanning, sound recording, video production, high end computing) 2. ELKO Garage (High end maker space) 3. Sound Studies Institute (sound recording, production, virtual reality, multi-channel sound installation) 4. Printmaking studio (etching, screenprinting, lithography, intaglio relief) NB the Printmaking studios have considerable accessibility restrictions 5. Sculpture studios (welding, wood working, ceramics, soft sculpture) 6. Painting (oil and acrylic) 7. Media Art (green screen, high end computing) 8. Other:___________________________________ 17. If you prefer to submit your EOI as a video, please submit a 3-5 minute video or audio recording explaining your artistic practice and artist-in-residence proposal. Please send your video to adwg@ualberta.ca. Please note: Even if you are submitting a video version of your application, you are still required to complete and submit this form. Submit a PDF of a portfolio with 8 - 10 examples of previous relevant work. Please send your PDF portfolio to adwg@ualberta.ca.