Calgary Public Library opens an AI-artist residency - and creatives are split
The Calgary Public Library (CPL) is offering a 10-week residency for an artist who uses AI as a collaborative partner - with an emphasis on ethical practice. The role centers on public engagement: free programs, workshops, and one-on-one consultations that unpack how AI meets art.
One artist will be selected. The residency runs June 29 to Sept. 4 with compensation up to $8,000. Applications are open until April 7.
What the residency offers
- Scope: Open to any discipline, as long as AI is used ethically in the creative process.
- Dates: June 29 - Sept. 4 (10 weeks).
- Pay: Up to $8,000.
- Community work: Free public programs, workshops, and one-on-one sessions.
- Goal: Help people understand and critically evaluate how they engage with AI in creative work.
Why many creatives are upset
The announcement drew hundreds of comments, most of them critical. Illustrator and tattoo artist Melanie Luther called the idea of an "AI artist" contradictory, arguing that training on existing work raises plagiarism concerns and blurs authorship.
She also flagged the environmental cost of compute-heavy tools. For artists who build their voice over years, the idea that a model can mimic style - without consent - hits a nerve.
Is ethical AI art possible?
Researcher Maura Grossman says ethical use is possible if models are trained on licensed work or content provided with permission. In a 2024 survey she led with fiction writers, many were opposed to generative tools - but views varied by what people believe art is for.
If art is personal expression, AI can feel wrong by default. If the focus is visual appeal, some see AI as a practical tool - even an equalizer for people without formal training. Expect this debate to continue.
The library's stance
Programming director Millicent Mabi says the library wants to host the hard conversations and give the public space to learn and critique. CPL has seen the pushback and says community feedback is being considered.
This is the library's first AI-focused program, with more planned - including a course on AI and misinformation.
If you plan to apply (or experiment), do it right
- Use tools and datasets with clear, documented licenses - or train on your own work and assets.
- Get explicit permission before using living artists' styles, images, or datasets.
- Disclose your process: list models, tools, prompts, and where training data came from.
- Keep provenance: save drafts, iterations, and timestamps to show how the work was made.
- Credit human collaborators and reference sources. Compensate where appropriate.
- Avoid prompts that mimic specific artists without consent. Set personal red lines and stick to them.
- Reduce compute where you can: smaller models, fewer high-res passes, batch jobs at off-peak times.
- Be transparent with audiences during workshops and consultations about what is human-made vs. machine-assisted.
Want structured learning that centers ethics and craft? Explore AI for Creatives.
Helpful references
- U.S. Copyright Office: Artificial Intelligence and Copyright - guidance on authorship and AI-generated material.
- IEA: Data centres and data transmission networks - energy use and environmental context relevant to AI workloads.
Key details at a glance
- Applications close: April 7
- Residency: June 29 - Sept. 4 (10 weeks)
- One artist will be selected
- Compensation: Up to $8,000
- Core output: Public programs, workshops, and one-on-one support
Bottom line for creatives
This residency is a live stress test for how arts institutions handle AI. Whether you apply, protest, or watch from the sidelines, the smart move is the same: be clear about consent, credit, and environmental impact - and keep receipts for every step of your process.
Your membership also unlocks:
