Process Details

Art Space Investment

The Art Spaces Investment Process was designed in response to a strategy and accompanying research study completed by Calgary Arts Development to guide municipal investment in arts spaces.

The strategy document Reclaiming Calgary's Cultural Identity: Arts Spaces Strategy & Capital Plan and the supporting research report The Current State of Cultural Spaces for the Arts in Calgary are available on line.

When Do You Apply ?

The Art Space Investment Process will operate on an annual basis starting in 2008 for at least two years to 2009.

Send us a letter of intent for application in 200. Organization's are encouraged to submit 2009 Letter of Intents by the end of December 2008.
Spring 2009 (final date TBA) - deadline for 2009 applications

See the attached Art Spaces Investment Process: Guidelines for further information.

What Can You Apply For?

The Art Spaces Investment Process will bring forward capital projects requesting municipal funding, land, buildings or any combination to The City of Calgary. The Process is open to stand alone capital projects or portions of larger capital projects that create or renovate purpose built art space that will be operated through a not-for-profit model. Partnerships with the public and private sector are encouraged. The process is open to projects that are at the early stage of visioning and planning through to projects that are ready to begin or have begun construction. Projects must be located within Calgary city limits. This process is for capital support only, there is currently no municipal program in place to support capital project planning.

How Much Can You Apply For?

The Art Spaces Investment Process will generally not recommend funding of more than 25% of project costs up to a total of $25 million for any one project. Under certain circumstances that enable a match of municipal funding or for smaller projects (under $250,000) exceptions may be made. Final recommended amount will be determined by the Assessment Committee and approved by the Calgary Arts Development Board of Directors. Final decisions on funding of projects will be determined by Calgary City Council.

Who Can Apply?

Any organization, ad-hoc group or individual with an art space capital project that fits into the Arts Spaces Investment Processes objectives and meets the criteria outlined below may apply.

Criteria

Projects must be located inside Calgary city limits.
Applicants who have already received support through The City of Calgary for the same project may not be eligible depending on the type of support received.
Collectives and Ad-Hoc groups must formally apply through a single organization or individual.
Projects or portions of projects for which funding is requested must be developed and operated primarily through a not-for-profit structure.
Applicants that are unsuccessful in securing funding in one year through the Arts Spaces Investment Process may re-apply in subsequent years.

Project Assessment

Projects will be assessed by an independent volunteer assessment committee of artists, arts administrators, development experts, space operators and city representatives. The Assessment Committee will recommend to the Calgary Arts Development Board of Directors a final list of projects to create or renovate arts spaces. This Board approved list of projects will be brought forward by Calgary Arts Development to City Council for approval of funding.

Project Funding

City Council approved projects will enter the City's Culture, Parks, Recreation and Infrastructure Investment Plan (CPRIIP). CPRIIP is The City's investment infrastructure plan designed to manage the municipal funding needs of culture parks and recreation facilities in Calgary. Projects on the CPRIIP list must meet the City's criteria in order to be considered for funding.