About
BUMP IS CALGARY'S URBAN ART FESTIVAL
Launched in 2017 as the Beltline Urban Murals Project, BUMP Festival has evolved into Calgary’s most expansive public art initiative, reshaping neighborhoods with cutting-edge installations and progressive public programming. Artist-led and community-powered, BUMP pioneers a new vision for Calgary’s urban spaces, positioning public art as a catalyst for cultural transformation and collective imagination.
Annually, a jury of diverse perspectives selects local, national, and international artists to bring new works to life through muralism, graffiti, and unique installations, creating a dynamic visual landscape across the city. In 2024, BUMP commissioned 83 unique artworks, expanding our impact to over 360 installations that weave narratives of place, identity, and possibility into Calgary’s public realm.
Beyond the visual, BUMP fosters artistic discourse and community engagement through a range of forward-thinking programs including an Urban Arts Conference, Alley Parties, Guided Mural Tours and workshops. Each program embodies BUMP’s belief that public art can elevate communities, spark dialogue, and challenge conventional spaces. With an unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion, BUMP showcases a spectrum of voices, perspectives, and aesthetics. Our mission is to continue transforming Calgary into a more vibrant, inspiring city that celebrates the power of art in reshaping public life.
MISSION
VISION
To create accessible public art that uplifts communities across Calgary.
To transform Calgary into an expansive, open-air contemporary visual art gallery that drives a thriving local arts community.
VALUES
Accessibility
We create art that is experienced by all.
Diversity and inclusion
We are inclusive of the diversity of Calgary and the traditional lands of the Treaty 7 First Nations.
Community
We foster community connection through public art.
Artistic pursuit
We celebrate creative liberty and exploration.
Education
We facilitate artistic growth and development.
City building
We seek to reimagine more vibrant public spaces.
OUR TEAM
Anna Maclaren, Director of Visual Programming
Anna MacLaren is a dynamic community builder with a passion for public art and a proven track record in project management. Currently, Anna is BUMP Festival’s Director of Visual Programming, overseeing large scale public arts projects. Anna is adept at leading operations, implementing new systems, and ensuring successful project outcomes. This, combined with a background in publishing, design, and community engagement, positions Anna as a versatile and impactful force in the intersection of art, creativity, and community development.
Ryan Tram, Director of Festival and Events
Ryan is a creative professional based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). He has worked in varying capacities between the arts, music, and hospitality. Currently, Ryan works for the Beltline Neighbourhoods Association (BNA) where a large part of his work involves delivering public art and accessible programming with the BNA team for BUMP Festival. In 2018, after finishing an undergraduate degree in Community Design at Dalhousie University, he returned to Calgary with an interest in urban development and creative industries. Calgary’s growing arts and culture space continues to have a big impact on his career and often provides inspiration in unconventional ways.
Priya Ramesh, Creative Director
Priya, also known as CONTRA, is a visionary artist, creating immersive and transformative experiences through film, music, public art and creative direction. As the Co-Founder of the art and production house FOREIGNERZ she can be often found building worlds as a film director and producer. Her most well known alter ego is as one half of the path-breaking music project Cartel Madras, now signed to the American label Sub Pop Records. In Calgary, she works in the arts as a curator, producer and is the Creative Director of BUMP Festival. In all her endeavours, she pioneers new narratives and fosters cultural evolution, sought after for her innovative creative direction by arts institutions across Canada. She is Downtown Calgary’s inaugural Filmmaker in Residence for 2024 and was named Avenue’s Top 40 under 40 in November 2024.
Eman Safadi, Partnerships & Outreach Manager
Arianna Tooke, Mural Tours Program Manager & Mural Projects
With a background in mural planning and production, Arianna is passionate about the transformative power of public art. By prioritizing safety, empowerment, and connection in her projects, she is able to consistently produce positive outcomes. Arianna is committed to bringing artists’ inspirational stories to the public, and igniting the creative spark in our community.
OUR PROCESS
The BUMP Festival’s annual call for artists draws hundreds of submissions from around the world. A jury composed of a diverse cross section of local artists, members of various Alberta arts entities and community-leaders review the applications to develop an artist shortlist for the Festival. Due to the volume of applications we receive each year, artists are long listed and short listed internally before we decide on our final festival programming. Our jury is committed to looking at every single application to the BUMP Festival and to present a diversity of artists, styles, origins and experience.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, the BUMP Festival honours and acknowledges the land of Moh’kins’tsis, the traditional Blackfoot name for the place we now call the city of Calgary.
We honour and acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 5 and 6.