NAPP 2026 Cohort 4 Kickoff Event

A Strong Start to the 2026 NAPP Mentorship Journey

We are pleased to share that the 2026 Newcomer Arts Professional Program (NAPP) officially launched with engaging kickoff events in Calgary and Edmonton, bringing together this year’s mentors and mentees to begin their mentorship journeys together.

This year’s cohort includes:

• Returning mentors, continuing their commitment to supporting newcomer and immigrant art professionals

• Mentors from ICAI’s Mentors in Residence (MiR) Program, strengthening cross-program mentorship and community care.

The event provided a dedicated space for mentors and mentees to connect, exchange experiences, and begin building the relationships that will support growth and collaboration throughout the year.

The energy and engagement demonstrated at the kickoff reaffirm the value of NAPP in supporting newcomer and immigrant arts professionals as they navigate and build their careers in Alberta.

We look forward to the year ahead as participants begin their tailored mentorship sessions, professional development sessions and collaborative projects.

Stay tuned! We'll be introducing our Cohort 5 mentor–mentee pairs early next year, and we can't wait for you to meet the incredible people who will be part of this journey!

Learn more about NAPP here.