Juno Award nominated singer-songwriter John Wort Hannam is Alberta’s sixth Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador. Photo by David Guenther
An award-winning singer-songwriter who got his start in Fort Macleod is Alberta’s sixth Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador.
The province announced Thursday that John Wort Hannam, who is the Empress Theatre’s programming director, takes over for artist Samantha Williams-Chapelsky.
“John’s music is powerful, echoing the stories of Alberta’s strength, culture and identity,” Arts, Culture and Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir said in news release.
Wort Hannam is a Juno ward nominee and three-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner with multiple Western Canadian Folk Music Award nominations.
For more than 25 years, Wort Hannam’s music has celebrated the spirit of everyday Albertans, bringing their stories to life on stages across Canada and around the world.
The Artist in Residence program highlights the power of the arts to inspire creativity, connect communities and honour Alberta’s rich cultural identity.
Through this program, an Albertan artist receives a grant to serve a one-year term as Alberta’s Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador, as they create an art project that showcases the power of the arts in Alberta.
Through his one-year residency, Wort Hannam will engage with communities across Alberta, attend cultural events and offer an inside look at his artistic process as Alberta’s Arts Ambassador.
“The Artist in Residence program gave me time, space and support to explore my painting practice and truly connect with the landscapes across Alberta,” Williams-Chapelsky said. “It is a unique opportunity in Canada to be supported by a provincial government, and it was the honour of a lifetime to do this project.”
Wort Hannam’s residency project, “Everyone Has a Story,” will connect unique voices and put Alberta’s talent on centre stage with 10 songwriting workshops in rural, remote and inner-city communities across the province.
Each workshop will conclude with a public listening session and performance, highlighting the stories and songs created during that session.
“Every Albertan carries a unique story and when we listen to one another, we connect and build stronger communities,” Wort Hannam said. “As Alberta’s Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador, I am honoured to use the power of music to bridge Albertans’ experiences and share their voices across the province.”
Alberta is the only province in Canada to offer a provincial Artist in Residence program open to artists of all disciplines.
The residency comes with a grant of up to $50,000.
Hannam was selected from a short-list of seven applicants, and his term runs until Sept. 30, 2026.
“The Alberta Artist in Residence program celebrates the transformative power of art,” said Cynthia P. Moore, chair of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. “Through the work of the selected artist, this initiative honours the cultural contributions of Alberta’s artistic community.”
“At the AFA, we strive to inspire, connect and advocate for the arts across the province. Congratulations to John Wort Hannam on his selection as Alberta’s sixth Artist in Residence and Arts Ambassador.”
As Alberta’s Arts Ambassador and a voice for artists across the province, Wort Hannam will be available to speak about the arts in Alberta at local and cultural events.
Communities interested in hosting the Artist in Residence can apply on-line through Artist in Residence Web page.
