Calgary Queer Arts Society: 2025 Annual Report
A year of growth, transformation, and deepening our commitment to the artists and communities we serve.
Land Acknowledgement
Calgary Queer Arts (CQA) gratefully acknowledges Moh’kinsstis, the lands and oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations; the îethka Nakoda Nations: Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney; and the Tsuut’ina Nation. We also recognize this territory as home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Districts 5 and 6. Finally, we acknowledge all NationsIndigenous and non-Indigenous - who live, work, and play on this land and who honour and celebrate its diverse histories and traditions.
We are only the latest to gather here, and so it is only right that we should acknowledge those who have come before us, and that there have been feasts, family gatherings, art, music, dance, storytelling and ceremony right here, on this land, for more generations than any of us can count.
This sacred gathering place provides us the opportunity to engage and walk a path of reconciliation, fostering connections that reflect the principles of inclusion, respect, and shared creativity.
We also acknowledge all 2SLGBTQIA+ people who have come before us, those who have fought for our rights, and those who continue to fight for equity and justice.
We stand on the shoulders of giants, and we commit to continuing their work.
Letter from the Executive Director
2025 was a pivotal year for Calgary Queer Arts Society; a year of growth, evolution, and deepening our commitment to the artists and communities we serve. As I reflect on the past twelve months, I'm struck by how much we've learned, how far we've come, and how much possibility lies ahead.
Thanks to the generous support of The Calgary Foundation, we were able to hire a Creative Communities Program Lead; Wilmer's contributions to the team have been truly transformational. This role became the connective tissue of our organization, enabling us to move from event-based programming to year-round community engagement.
Together, we reached over 3,000 community members and created 80+ paid opportunities for artists. These numbers represent real people, real connections, and real impact. Of course, growth comes with growing pains. We navigated significant challenges this year, from transitioning ticketing platforms to evolving venue relationships and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with Contemporary Calgary, bring Queer audiences into Calgary's modern art venue. Accessing both The GRAND and Contemporary Calgary over the last two years was beautifully reflected back in conversation by the simple statement, "We deserve nice things too."
We continue to learn that accessibility isn't just about ramps and interpreters, it's about removing barriers between people and art that might change their lives. We also learned that intergenerational spaces aren't just nice to have; they're transformative. When we centre the most marginalized voices in our community, everyone benefits.
My gratitude runs deep to our volunteers, supporters, board and audience members. You are creating a community that weathers storms, and as the world shifts I am confident in our ability to create vibrant, meaningful opportunities to be in space together.
Sincerely, Shone Thistle
Executive Director, Calgary Queer Arts Society
Credit: Jevan Bailey & Eman Safadi (Foreignerz)
2025 By The Numbers
3000+
Community Members
Engaged across all programs
Paid Artist Opportunities
813
Fairy Tales Attendees
383
Attendees Coming Out Monologues
Digital Growth
+1,100 Instagram followers →
6,378 total
+226 Facebook followers →
4,700 total
43% email open rate across
41,177 sends
+621 new email contacts
Accessibility
60% growth in complimentary tickets at Fairy Tales & The Coming Out Monologues
2 intergenerational panel discussions
100% COVID-aware safety measures
ASL interpretation & sensory break rooms
Creative Impact
63 films screened 20 countries represented 35 visual artists featured 15 storytellers aged 22-65
5 live performances
Creative Communities Program Lead
Programmed with fresh perspectives
Bringing deep community knowledge to every aspect of our work, from strategic planning to day-of-event coordination.
Built critical partnerships
Established connections with organizations serving Black, Indigenous, and newcomer 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
In February 2025, thanks to a grant from The Calgary Foundation, Calgary Queer Arts Society hired our first Creative Communities Lead. This wasn't just a new position, it was a fundamental shift in how we operate as an organization.
The role was designed with a clear mandate: reduce social isolation among 2SLGBTQIA+ community, build intergenerational connections, and embed intersectional frameworks into everything we do.
Thanks to the care and attention of our new Creative Communities Lead, Wilmer Aburto, this role became the bridge between our flagship events and year-round, intentional, community engagement.
Coordinated intergenerational panels
Created meaningful dialogue between youth, elders, and everyone in between—building understanding across generations.
Created conditions for artists to thrive
Developed fair compensation structures, mentorship opportunities, and sustainable support systems.
The impact of this role extends far beyond what can be measured in numbers. It's visible in the 22-year-old storyteller who found mentorship from a 65-year-old elder at The Coming Out Monologues. It's present in the partnerships we've built with organizations we'd been trying to connect with for years, and in the guiding documents that will support how we partner with intention moving forward. This investment in staff capacity is an investment in our community's future. Our heartfelt thanks to The Calgary Foundation!
Fairy Tales Festival: 27th Annual Celebration
Our 27th annual Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival was our most ambitious yet, showing us what's possible when we combine artistic excellence with radical accessibility. 813 attendees joined us to experience 63 films from 20 countries, work from 17 visual artists, and 5 live performances.
This year's festival was a deliberate experiment in intergenerational and intersectional programming, and the results exceeded our expectations. We partnered with Contemporary Calgary for the first time, bringing queer art and film into a prestigious visual arts venue and demonstrating that
2SLGBTQIA+ culture belongs in every cultural space in this city.
Radical Accessibility
ASL interpretation for all panels and select screenings, sensory break rooms, COVIDaware safety measures, and 68% complimentary tickets—ensuring cost is never a barrier to participation.
Intergenerational Magic
Two panel discussions in partnership with Skipping Stone Foundation, Rainbow Elders, and Calgary Pride created substantive conversations across generations.
Global Queer Cinema
Film programming showcased the breadth of global queer storytelling—from experimental shorts to feature documentaries, joyful comedies to urgent political statements.
What we learned from Fairy Tales 2025 will shape our work for years to come: when we design for the most marginalized, everyone benefits. Intergenerational spaces create magic that age-segregated spaces cannot. Our community is hungry for art that reflects the full complexity of our lives.
What Artists Say
Hear what artists from the CQAS Market have to say about their experience.
"As a queer immigrant artist, the CQAS Market was a powerful reminder of why community matters. I felt a strong sense of belonging and connection, both with fellow artists and with the audience. It was an affirming space where my work and identity were equally valued. Thank you!"
MarketArtist
"Participating in CQAS’s Market gave me the opportunity to connect with the local queer community I had needed but was shy to seek out. I was able to showcase artwork I created while still in the closet, when art was my only form of selfexpression. Sharing these paintings at the Coming Out Monologues event felt like a full-circle moment I will always cherish."
MarketArtist
"The love, care, and support of CQAS has been invaluable to my journey as an Queer Artist. CQAS stood by me and offered the safe space needed to help me find my voice and refine my perspective. Whether I'm working with CQAS, or attending one of their events, they always make me feel valued and respected as a queer artist."
MarketArtist
The Coming Out Monologues: 13 Years of Storytelling
The Coming Out Monologues celebrated its 13th year with 383 attendees across sold-out performances at Contemporary Calgary, including 15 storytellers aged 22 to 65, and a renewed commitment to intergenerational mentorship and peer support. This program has is part of the beating heart of Calgary Queer Arts Society, a place where our community comes together to witness, honour, and celebrate living authentically.
Attendance
Growth
From 2024 to 2025
Revenue Increase
$4,791 in ticket sales 120%
Barrier-Free Access
99 complimentary tickets distributed
This year felt different. Our 15 storytellers represented an extraordinary range of experiences, identities, and perspectives. A 22-year-old non-binary person shared their story alongside a 65-year-old gay man who came out in the 1980s. A trans woman in her 40s spoke about transition and belonging. A TwoSpirit person connected their coming out journey to their reclamation of Indigenous identity.
What emerged from this intergenerational cohort was something we hadn't fully anticipated: organic mentorship. Older storytellers offered perspective and reassurance to younger ones. Younger storytellers brought fresh language and frameworks that helped older participants articulate experiences they'd never had words for.
Partnership Impact: RBC Presents!
RBC's presenting sponsorship enabled fair compensation for 38+ 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, ASL interpretation at all performances, distribution of 99 barrier-free tickets, and professional venue rental. In a time when queer and trans Albertans face increasing political threats, RBC's visible support sends a powerful message of belonging.
The rehearsal process became a space of mutual learning, healing, and connection. Post-show surveys revealed that participating was transformative— storytellers spoke about finding community, healing old wounds, and feeling seen in ways they never had before. This is the work that matters. This is why we exist.
Innovation & Creative Partnerships
Drag Sings Live
The 2025 edition of The Coming Out Monologues introduced an exciting new partnership with Drag Sings Live, an innovative performance series pairing drag artists with cabaret mentorship. Featured performers included Holtasoli, Ashtray Williams, and Mx Jendr, each bringing unique artistry and perspective to the stage.
The partnership with Reckless Daughter Creative provided an 11-week mentorship program for all participants, building performer confidence, theater skills, and storytelling techniques.
"Cabaret and drag have always thrived in times of unrest, offering both refuge and resistance in the face of rising hate. For us, stepping on stage to sing and share stories is equal parts joy, defiance, and community."
—KennaBurima,DragSingsLiveCo-Founder
Free Queer Arts Exhibition & Market
15 visual artists participated across the weekend, receiving honoraria for a no-risk exhibition opportunity. The market activated Contemporary Calgary's atrium space throughout the festival.
Specialty Collaborations
DIVINE fruited hazy pale ale created with EightyEight Brewing, rainbow-themed visual elements, custom floor decals, and specialty treats transformed the venue into a celebration.
Cultural Care & Circle Keeping
Marshall Vielle (Two-Spirit artist, Kainai Nation) served style and grace as The Coming Out Monologues Emcee and Circle Keeper for the cast and crew, providing culturally grounded care and holding space for storytellers and audience members.
Community Partner Spotlight
"As a community group in its infancy, Queers Arts provided us with a vital platform to represent and amplify our talent and voices in the city. CQAS fostered a genuinely welcoming environment and ensured that collaboration across groups was inclusive and affirming. As the only queer group in the Prairies representing the South Asian diaspora, our partnership with CQAS has been deeply meaningful, helping us build visibility, strengthen community connections, and imagine new possibilities for growth and impact."
— Rang De Pride
Community Partner Spotlight
Dance Fusion Calgary had the opportunity to perform at the opening of the Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival for the Brazilian film Streets of Gloria, featuring our beloved Samba Queen Paula Regehr. We collaborated on a vibrant Brazilian dance piece celebrating culture through Axe, Pasinho, and Samba. We loved our experience collaborating with this event. It was amazing and we are very thankful for your kindness in welcoming us to the festival, and we are proud to be a part of it.
— Colores Del Alma
Artist in Residence Program
In 2024-25, we launched our inaugural Artist in Residence program with Blake McLeod as our first resident artist. This program represents a new direction for Calgary Queer Arts Society—one that prioritizes sustained support for artists rather than one-off opportunities.
Blake's residency focused on archival work, exploring the history of queer art and activism in Calgary and creating new work in dialogue with that history. Throughout the residency, Blake engaged with community members, facilitated workshops, and continued developing their body of work that will be exhibited in 2026.
We are also excited to welcome Blake back in 2026 to host one of our Intergenerational Arts Club creative workshops!
Looking ahead: We're thrilled to announce that our second Artist in Residence will be Shandie Ta of VogueYYC, beginning in 2026. Shandie's residency will focus on ballroom culture, voguing, and the creation of intergenerational spaces for queer and trans people of colour.
Shandie Ta (also known as Sen Gvasalia) is a Calgary-based dancer, organizer, and co-founder of Vogue YYC. Alongside her partner and mother, Mother Katria Gvasalia, she helps lead the Kiki House of Gvasalia—Western Canada’s premier Kiki House—supporting the growth of Ballroom, Vogue Femme, and Waacking/Punking across Alberta. Through workshops and community collaborations, including with Esker Foundation, Shandie is committed to cultivating accessible, affirming dance spaces rooted in culture, skill-building, and collective care.
Community Programming
Our commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive arts community extends through a diverse range of programming, collaborating with key partners to bring unique experiences to life.
Arts Commons & One Yellow Rabbit
We co-presented an artists market as part of the 2025 High Performance Rodeo, bringing Taylor Mac's 24 Decade History of Popular Music to Calgary audiences. The collaboration included an intimate interview with Taylor Mac, hosted by One Yellow Rabbit's Associate Artist Denise Clarke, reaching new audiences and fostering meaningful cross-community dialogue.
Black Pride YYC Festival
We proudly partnered to produce Calgary's firstever Black Pride Festival, celebrating Black queer excellence and creating essential spaces for joy and visibility. The day-long celebration featured drag performances, live DJs, food and drink vendors, visual arts, games, and community activities; bringing together hundreds of people for connection, culture, and celebration.
Vogue YYC
In partnership, we supported the vibrant ballroom scene, hosting workshops and showcases that empowered participants through movement, self-expression, and community building. The signature event, Curtains Up: The Broadway Kiki Ball, brought together performers for a theatrical celebration of ballroom culture, featuring Broadwayinspired categories and performances that merged voguing with musical theatre.
Looking Ahead: The Future is Queer
01
Fairy Tales Festival (28th Annual)
May 13-17 | Contemporary Calgary: Four days of 2SLGBTQIA+ storytelling through stage, screen and other live performances. Continuing to showcase the best in queer art and film while deepening our commitment to intergenerational and intersectional programming.
04
Artist in Residence: Shandie Ta (VogueYYC)
2026 Focusing on ballroom culture, voguing, and creating intergenerational spaces for queer and trans people of color. Calgary Queer Arts is proud to support Shandie's work through the Artist as Changemaker program at MRU, and excited to partner in sharing her work throughout the year.
Intergenerational Arts Club
Bringing together Queer elders and youth to learn creatively, play and connect across the generational divide. Pottery, painting, poetry and more!
To learn more or join the club, watch for the launch in February 2026! www.calgaryqueerartssociety.com/ArtsClub
SpecialthankstoUnitedWay&CalgaryArts Developmentforfundingthisinitiative.
02
The Coming Out Monologues presented by RBC (14th Annual)
October 15-17 | The GRAND: The Coming Out Monologues & Art Market brings together a new cohort of storytellers to share their coming out journeys with community. Watch for the call for submissions in May.
05
Werklund Centre +15 Galleries Exhibition
May 1 - Oct 4 | Werklund Centre: An intergenerational showcase of 2SLGBTQ+ voices exploring identity, belonging, resilience, and joy.
Eight incredible artists share snippets of their queer experience in conversation across the Werklund Centre's +15 Galleries. Stay tuned for an invitation to the Pride Month art party for tours and celebrations of this incredible work.
08
June 11 - Blueprints for Belonging
Collaborative knowledge sharing summit highlighting the learning and wisdom of inclusion, and what it takes to build cultures of belonging. This event features presentations from five community partners, a panel discussion and launches the Blueprints for Belonging toolkit, a co-created workbook for people interested in frontline learning on how to be more inclusive.
03
National Canadian Film Day with REEL Canada
April15 | Contemporary Calgary: Partnering to bring Canadian queer cinema to audiences across Calgary, expanding our reach and demonstrating excellence in Canadian queer filmmaking. Details coming soon!
06
"From the Vault" Monthly Film Screenings
2026 | Various Locations: Monthly film screenings at local businesses and organizations, featuring selections from 27 years of Fairy Tales Festival archives. Each screening includes local artists, historians, and experts discussing themes found in the presented films.
REMIX Youth Camps
July 20 - 31 | The Grand: Music and dance camps in partnership with the bold, high-energy, cultureshaping artists of Sergeant X Comrade and VogueYYC, supported by a City of Calgary Arts & Culture Microgrant. These camps invite youth to experiment, collaborate, and build confidence through movement, sound, and self-expression in a space that celebrates creativity, identity, and belonging.
The amazing events and Queer joy above is only made possible through the generous support of our funders, sponsors and community partners. If you see a values alignment opportunity above and would like to explore sponsorship please reach out. Let's make magic together!
2026 Strategic Priorities
Intergenerational & Intersectional Programming
Centering the voices of those most marginalized and creating space for people of all ages to connect.
Organizational Sustainability
Diversifying funding streams through government grants, philanthropy, foundation support, individual donors, and earned revenue.
Community Co-Creation
Moving toward programming created with community, involving members in decision-making from the earliest stages.
"None of this work happens without you, our community members, artists, volunteers, partners, funders, and board. You are the reason Calgary Queer Arts Society exists, and you are the reason we'll continue to grow and evolve.
The future is queer, and we're building it together."
Calgary Queer Arts Society www.calgaryqueerartssociety.com | www.queerfilmfest.ca | info@calgaryqueerartssociety.com | @QueerArtsYYC
Thank you to our generous supporters:
We couldn't have done it without you!