The Writers' Collective

WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival (Calgary, AB):Call to Writers, Deadline April 21

Call for Submissions – Anne Green Award

WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival is inviting submissions for the inaugural Anne Green Award. The $3,000 award will be given to an artist whose project explores and challenges the traditional form of story and narrative and culminates in a presentation of the work at the 17th annual WordFest held in Calgary and Banff from October 9–14, 2012. The recipient will also be invited to Calgary as a festival artist, receiving airfare and accommodation. The award is open to artists whose primary discipline is based in the written and spoken word. Artists whose work is based in other disciplines must demonstrate that their body of work has previously explored and incorporated the practice of the written or spoken word.

The award is named for Anne Green, Founding Director of WordFest and long-time professional in the Canadian arts community. During the 15th anniversary of WordFest the establishment of the fund was enabled by a private donor to recognize the incredible contribution of departing Founding Director Anne Green and to facilitate WordFest continuing Green’s commitment to profiling innovative work that challenges genres and narrative forms.

The award recipient will be selected by Green and a committee of artistic peers which hopes to receive a wide range of submissions in varying formats and languages. Interested parties are directed to wordfest.com for more information on eligibility and submission requirements.

WordFest brings more than 70 artists from around the world to connect with readers in Calgary, Banff and the Bow Valley from October 9-14, 2012, in over 60 events that are intimate, interactive and fun. For more information, please call 403.237.9068 or visit wordfest.com.

Media Inquiries:
Mary Kapusta
WordFest Marketing Manager
P: 403.237.9068
F: 403.237.9093

Anne Green Award
Eligibility Criteria
•    The project shall be an original work which challenges and explores the written and spoken word while not losing sight of the original form. The project must have roots in story and narrative and must not have been previously produced in Calgary or Banff.
•    Acceptable media include—but are not limited to—the following: song, poetry, dance, instrumental music, film, electronic literature, visual arts and spoken word.
•    The award is restricted to professional artists as defined by the Canada Council as someone who:
o    has specialized training in the artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions);
o    is recognized as a professional by his or her peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition);
o    is committed to devoting more time to his or her artistic activity, if possible, financially; and
o    has a history of public presentation.
•    It is further restricted to artists whose primary discipline is based in the written and spoken word. Artists whose primary practice is based in another discipline must demonstrate that their body of work has previously explored and incorporated the practice of the written or spoken word.
•    The award is restricted to permanent residents of Canada.
•    The project must be featured at the current year’s WordFest, and if a performance, must be from 15 to 80 minutes in length.
Submission Requirements
•    Deadline: April 21, 2012
•    A typed project description no longer than 500 words that illustrates how the project explores and challenges the traditional form of story and narrative and why this project is relevant to WordFest. Please identify if any public grant funds were used in the creation of the work.
•    A one page biography/curriculum vitae addressing the professional artist criteria as defined by the Canada Council and the disciplinary practice as outlined above.
•    Applicable supplementary materials may also be included at the entrant’s discretion:
o    Hard copy of printed work (ARC, finished book, etc.)
o    Audio samples (MP3 files on CD format only)
o    Visual aids may include photos, video capture of the performance (CD or DVD), or sample of the artwork
•    Submissions, including supplementary materials, will not be returned to the artist unless a pre-paid self-addressed envelope is included. WordFest will only accept submissions no bigger than a padded 12 x 18 envelope.
•    WordFest will only cover the costs for one artist to represent the work at the Festival.  Should the project require additional artists, this will be the responsibility of the selected artist.
•    Multi-lingual submissions will be considered, but must be accompanied by a professional English translation.
•    Submissions can be mailed to: Anne Green Award, WordFest, PO Box 20024 RPO Bow Valley, Calgary, AB  T2P 4H3
Please email questions regarding submissions, or requests for more information to .

Lindsey Childs