Call for ideas
Exhibitions
Panel Talks
Pop-ups
workshops
Film screenings
tours
Design Week Calgary is a festival celebrating the talent and impact of Calgary’s design community.
August 6-8, 2026
Submission deadline january 31, 2026
submission fee $25
Issues? email us atprogram@dtalks.org
2026 theme: in tune
Our 2026 programming asks us to get ‘In Tune’. To notice the rhythms of the city around us – its sounds, its spaces, its people – and to find harmony within them. This year, we explore how design helps us attune to what is often overlooked, revealing new connections between the built world and the lives we lead.
Design Week Calgary is presented by d.talks
FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about submitting, participating, and getting involved with Design Week Calgary.
Designers, studios, students, educators, organizations, and collaborators working in any design discipline. You do not need to be based in Calgary, but your event should take place in and connect meaningfully to Calgary’s design community or audience.
We welcome:
- Exhibitions & installations
- Talks, panels, workshops, and tours
- Performances & pop-ups
- Screenings, demonstrations, and open studios
- Community or participatory design experiences
If you’re unsure where your idea fits, submit anyway—we’ll help guide placement.
Yes. There is a $25 non-refundable submission fee. This fee helps cover administrative costs related to processing submissions.
If your submission is accepted into the festival program, a programming fee applies. This fee supports inclusion in the official festival lineup, marketing, and program infrastructure. Programming fees are based on the size of the organizer:
- Solo Designer or Ad Hoc Collective (including shops, artist-run centres, private galleries) $250
- Small Businesses (4–50 employees) $350
- Large Businesses & Institutions (50+ employees) $700
Programming fees are paid only upon acceptance into the festival. You do not pay the programming fee at the time of application.
In select cases, fee support or partnerships may be available for community, non-profit, student, or equity-seeking groups. Details will be shared during the acceptance process.
January 31 at 11:59 PM MST. Late submissions may not be considered.
Yes. Separate submissions are required for each idea.
No. If you don’t have a location yet, select Venue TBD. Some submissions may be matched to partner venues.
Yes, a selection committee will review all entries based on:
- Clarity of concept
- Relevance to design and community
- Feasibility/logistics
- Audience impact
- Diversity of voices and disciplines
Not all submissions can be accepted into the festival due to capacity.
Yes—free or paid. Please outline pricing in your submission. A ticketing platform will be managed by Design Week Calgary.
Accepted submissions may receive:
- Promotion across the festival website & channels
- Inclusion in the official program
- Brand assets for marketing
- Coordination and volunteer support
Event management, staffing, and technical setup are the organizer’s responsibility unless otherwise negotiated.
All applicants will receive an email Fbruary 2026 with acceptance status and next steps.