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 Program supports artists of any level in the creation and presentation of new works while opening up 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, and production. 

Selected artists will develop a new work over the course of eighteen months, with ongoing support from the FAO and our wonderful community of artists.

Artists will receive mentorship from Xstine Cook (founder and co-artistic director of the FAO and artistic director of Calgary Animated Objects Society), Peter Balkwill (co-artistic director of the FAO and The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, co-education director of Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry), with support from Cosmo Christoffersen (Managing Producer of the FAO). Additional mentorship will be provided by other established artists in the community! 

Each artist will receive a $2000 development fee for the first year of development. Artists are also encouraged and expected to apply for individual artist grants; support for these applications will happily be provided by the FAO. Fees for the second year of development will be determined as funding details become available. 

This program is generously supported by Calgary Arts Development.