DNA: Dome Training Program Application EMMEDIA and TELUS Spark are excited to open applications for Calgary’s first fulldome residency and training program, DNA: Domes Need Art. Selected Alberta-based BIPOC media artists will receive paid creation time, mentorship, studio and equipment access to develop original dome works. Artists will retain all rights to the created work. This program will hire five unemployed or underemployed BIPOC artists to produce a short film (max. 10 minutes) with 360-degree visuals for dome screening. Artists are expected to dedicate 20 hours per week for five months (October 2026-February 2027) to production and be available for all instruction sessions and critiques. The original short film will be screened as part of PARTICLE+WAVE Media Arts Festival at TELUS Spark's Infinity Dome Theatre, a 360-degree immersive digital theatre with bright 8K projections and surround sound. About Fulldome Technology:Fulldome projection involves covering an entire hemispherical screen with a digital image. Multiple projectors are assembled to cover the screen, surround and immerse the viewer, building the impression of being transported to another place. In contrast to Full HD format's horizontal rectangle, fulldome format is in the shape of a circle.Common mediums include real-time or pre-rendered computer animations; live capture images, video footage and/or composited environments. If you have any questions, please reach out to Janira Moncayo at operations@emmedia.ca APPLY NOW Deadline to apply: August 31st, 2026 Midnight MST This opportunity is made possible with the support of Calgary Foundation. EMMEDIA is proudly funded by Calgary Arts Development, Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Canada Council for the Arts. Artist Eligibility: An adult (18+) living in Alberta Legally able to work in Canada Self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and Person of Color) Self-identify as underemployed (working irregular hours or less than 30 hours per week, or current job is below your skills or qualifications with no room for growth) or unemployed. Practicing media artist with one completed artwork. Media art includes: audio, video, web-based art, independent film, animation, performance, VR, AR, and interactive art. Artists do not require past dome experience to be eligible for this program. Artists are expected to work 20 hours per week remotely or in-person, but need to check-in in-person weekly with EMMEDIA staff. Compensation:Artists are paid a flat fee of $10,600 for producing a fulldome short film. The fee will be divided into monthly payments. This rate is calculated at $26.50/hr for 20hrs/week for 5 months.Artists are also expected to screen the short film at PARTICLE+WAVE and engage in a public artist talk to discuss their work. Artists will be paid a $228 fee for the screening and a $390 fee for the public engagement. Tentative Timeline: Artists are expected to work 20 hours per week remotely or in-person from October 2026 to February 2027. Artists need to check-in in-person weekly with EMMEDIA's staff at EMMEDIA (2005 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T3C 0K4). The majority of instruction sessions will take place twice a week in October 2026 at EMMEDIA. Artists will have dome training sessions and group critiques twice a month at TELUS Spark (220 St Georges Dr NE, Calgary, AB T2E 5T2). Short films must be completed by February 15, 2026 to screen at PARTICLE+WAVE in March 2027. Review Procedure: Proposals are selected through a peer review process by EMMEDIA and TELUS Spark staff, and two local media artists. Proposals will be selected on the following criteria: Artistic Vision: This category will consider the creativity, originality, and critical depth of the work, including why this project belongs in an immersive environment. Potential & transferable skills: Jurors will be evaluate the artists' past work and the ability for their current skills to transfer into a dome format. Feasibility: This category will consider how feasible it would be for the proposed work to be completed in 5 months with EMMEDIA's available equipment and space. Connection to Alberta: The majority of dome productions feature the cosmos, science or nature, leaving local narratives underrepresented. Jurors will assess the proposed work's connection to local communities and nuanced dialogue. Selected applicants will be contacted via email by end of September 2026.
