Elephant Artist Relief Society (EAR) is a Calgary-based registered charity dedicated to supporting artists of all disciplines. Since 2007, EAR has worked at the frontline of the arts ecosystem, providing emergency financial relief, professional development programming, and access to resources that strengthen artists’ well-being and livelihoods.

EAR’s work is grounded in a simple belief: artists are essential contributors to Calgary’s cultural vitality, and they require stable, responsive support systems to sustain their creative practices. Through our Emergency Financial Relief program, Umbrella Talks professional development series, and health and wellness initiatives, EAR helps artists navigate financial instability, build business skills, and remain active within Calgary’s creative community.

By supporting individual artists, EAR contributes to a stronger, more resilient, and more vibrant cultural sector in Calgary and the surrounding region.