Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta has appointed contemporary dance performer and choreographer Janita Frantsi as its seventh Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador for 2026-27, making her the first dance professional to take on the role since the programme was established.
Announcing the appointment on November 9, the provincial government said the selection highlights the contribution of dance to Alberta’s cultural sector and its efforts to bring artistic experiences to communities across the province.
Frantsi will receive a $50,000 grant to undertake a one-year residency and develop a project titled Art Around Us. The initiative will combine live performances with pre-recorded dance, using different settings to explore how people connect with art, their surroundings and one another. It will also highlight Alberta’s landscapes, communities and natural spaces.
Arts, Culture and Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir said artists play an important role in bringing communities together and shaping how people view the world. She welcomed Frantsi’s appointment, noting that the selection marks a first for the programme.
Originally from Finland, Frantsi has been based in Edmonton for more than a decade, working as a performer, creator and dance educator. Her professional collaborations include Mile Zero Dance, KO Dance Projects and Edmonton Opera. She has also taught dance and movement at the University of Alberta, while exploring creative expression through stage performances, film and digital platforms.
Frantsi said she was honoured to represent Alberta’s arts community and looked forward to taking dance beyond traditional performance venues. Through her residency, she hopes to engage with people in different communities and explore how movement can create connections and change the way places are experienced.
The outgoing Artist in Residence, John Wort Hannam, also reflected on his 2025-26 tenure. He said the experience reinforced his belief that everyone has a story to share and that artistic expression can encourage understanding, belonging and empathy.
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts welcomed the appointment as well. Its chair, Cynthia P. Moore, said the selection recognises the province’s dance community and creates an opportunity to showcase Frantsi’s work over the coming year.
Frantsi was chosen from a shortlist of seven candidates. The six other shortlisted artists — Marnie Blair of Red Deer, Tiff Hall of Edmonton, Kelsey Merkeley of Calgary, Diana Ohiozebau of Edmonton, Eunju Park of St. Albert and Jason Valleau of Calgary — will each receive $1,000 to help develop their proposed projects or support their artistic practice.
Alberta remains the only Canadian province with an Artist in Residence programme open to practitioners from all artistic disciplines. As part of her ambassadorial responsibilities, Frantsi will also be available to participate in local and cultural events. Communities interested in hosting her can submit applications through the provincial government’s Artist in Residence webpage.
