Incubator Program 2025-27

Do you have an idea for a new mask or puppet performance that you’re itching to develop? The Festival of Animated Objects (FAO) is seeking submissions for our puppetry and mask Incubator Program! 

The Incubator is a 2-year mentorship program that supports artists of any level in the creation and presentation of new works while creating new and exciting opportunities for audience engagement. Our goal is to support artists’ creation of a full-length show (30-50 minutes), and to offer guidance on marketing, touring, grant writing, and production. 

Mentorship will begin in September 2025, with presentations of works-in-progress taking place in the 15th Festival in March 2026. Finished works may be featured in the 16th Festival in March 2027, pending artists' progress and funding.

Applicants must be available March 16-20, 2026 and must be based in or around Calgary.

Selected artists will develop a new work over the course of eighteen months, with ongoing support from the Festival of Animated Objects and our wonderful community of artists. Incubator artists will receive mentorship from Xstine Cook (founder and co-artistic director, FAO; founder and artistic director, Calgary Animated Objects Society), Peter Balkwill (co-artistic director, FAO & The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, co-education director, Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry), with support from Cosmo Christoffersen (Managing Producer, FAO). Additional mentorship may be provided by other established artists in the community! These sessions will be delivered either remotely or in-person, depending on the capacity of everyone involved.

Each artist will receive a $1000 development fee for the first year of development, with additional funding pending grant approval. Artists are also encouraged to apply for individual artist grants; support for these applications will happily be provided by the FAO.

Use the form below to tell us about your proposed work, team of collaborators, and your background as an artist and a human!

If you would prefer to submit your application with video responses, or if you have any other questions or accessibility requirements, please email Cosmo at producer@puppetfestival.ca

Applications close June 1