Open Call to Artists, Arts Organizations and Arts Collectives for Use of the Seafood Market in East Village
The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and Calgary Arts Development have announced a pilot project that will provide Calgary-based artists and non-profit arts organizations or collectives the ability to use the vacant Seafood Market in East Village (630 7th Ave. SE) until June 30, 2010. The Seafood Market building is slated for eventual demolition as part of ongoing work to make significant upgrades to base infrastructure in East Village, and is not available for permanent use.
Calgary-based artists, non-profit arts organizations, or arts collectives are invited to submit proposals (use the link below to submit a proposal) to utilize this 24,000 sq. ft. warehouse and office building for events or short-term projects that will take advantage of the location, size and configuration of the building, while also considering the following limitations:
- Projects must respect the surrounding community when utilizing the exterior of the building;
- Projects may be considered ineligible if they drastically alter the physical structure of the building (painting the walls is acceptable, but altering walls or fixtures will not be possible);
- The East Village is undergoing major construction, projects that unreasonably interfere with the construction and revitalization of the area will not be considered.
Proposals that do not adhere to the limitations above will not be eligible for use of the space. There will be no rent or operating costs charged to selected users of this space for the duration of this pilot project. This is a free space, but that there will be very little operational, technical, or administrative support for your project with in this space.
The first project slated for the refurbished space is ‘i-ROBOT Theatre’, produced by Swallow-a-Bicycle Performance Co-Op. This original performance is a collaborative effort of 13 local theatre artists. The work is currently being created in the space. It opens May 5, 2010 and runs until May 15, 2010.
Calgary Arts Development would like to offer this space to as many projects as possible, and will accept expressions of interest for projects commencing after May 15, 2010, concluding no later than June 30, 2010. It is our aim to keep the site as active as possible during this timeframe, so we may ask proponents to share dates where possible. This is a large space, on two levels, with several small rooms. A site plan will be made available online as soon as possible.
Proposals submitted prior to 4pm on April 19, 2010 will be scheduled into dates by end of day on April 21st, 2010. Proposals received after 4pm on April 19 will be considered on a rolling basis, and scheduled when and if possible.
As stated above, Calgary Arts Development and the CMLC would like to offer the space to as many projects as possible. There are a few limitations listed above and we are certain that we will find more as we become more familiar with the space. However, we would like to accommodate new ways of using the space whenever possible and plan to arrange face-to-face meeting with representatives of project proposals (as long as a formal expression of interest has been submitted via our online webform).
If we are not able to accommodate all projects, Calgary Arts Development will score proposals. Preference will be given to viable proposals demonstrating the highest public and/or artistic impact based on questions as indicated on the Expression of Interest webform linked below.
If you have questions, please call Calgary Arts Development at 403-264-5330 or e-mail: seafoodmarket@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
The City of Calgary Releases Request for Expression of Interest for Beddington Heights Community Centre
- Posted April 8th, 2010
Arts groups looking for space:
The Beddington Heights Community Centre (375 Bermuda Drive NW) comprises over 14,000 square feet, with a host of community programs being run out of the centre. The centre includes a small gym, a large hall with a stage and many rooms of rooms of varying size and capacity. The building has a large parking lot that holds approximately 80 stalls.
While the expression of interest (EOI) is a call out to potential operators, The City is also interested in brokering partnerships between disparate groups. Groups that are interested in being tenants or sharing in governance and/or operations of the building should apply.
Tours are available from The City of Calgary on the following dates:
Wednesday, April 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Monday, May 3rd, 10:00am - 11:00am
The deadline for EOI submission is 16:30 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010.
Business and arts team up to preview future of East Village - Pilot project will breathe new life into Seafood Market
- Posted April 8th, 2010
Alberta Creative Development Initiative Renewed For 2010
- Posted by Lauren Simms on April 7th, 2010
Today, The Canada Council for the Arts and The Alberta Foundation for the Arts announced that the Alberta Creative Development Initiative (ACDI) will be renewed for another year. This jointly-funded grant is an opportunity for Alberta artists, arts organizations and arts administrators to apply for project-specific funding. The application deadline for arts organizations is June 1st, 2010, and the deadline for individuals is November 10th, 2010.
For more information on the program and for program guidelines, click here.
Click here for more Information on the partnership renewal.
Working with the City
- Posted March 19th, 2010
Insight into Working with The City of Calgary: Understanding Government Relations & Influencing the Municipal Policy Process
- Key issues, assets and trends currently influencing City Hall decision making
- Decision-making processes and timelines, including the role of Administration, Council and Committees
- How to build relationships and influence policy development
- How to make your organization a valued resource for City Hall
Friday, April 30th, 2010 at the Kahanoff Centre, 1202 Centre Street South
- $40 for organizations eligible for funding through Calgary Arts Development (CADA) and/or members of the Calgary Professional Arts Alliance (CPAA)
- $125 for organizations not eligible for funding through CADA and/or members of the CPAA*
CLICK HERE to register online
Get Reading, Get Voting
- Posted by Karen Ball on March 17th, 2010
Calgarians are a literary bunch. We are home to the acclaimed Wordfest that takes place in October every year and the International Spoken Word Festival that is gearing up for take off over the month of April! Calgary Publisher Freehand Books is having an incredible year, with Marina Endicott's book Good to a Fault,winning the commonwealth Writers' Prize Best Book Award, Canada and the Caribbean and securing a spot as a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and as one of the championed books on Canada Reads. But most of all, WE READ! C-trains are packed with reading commuters, libraries are heavily used, and book clubs can be found in every Calgary neighborhood. So why not get involved by reading and voting in this year's Alberta Readers’ Choice Award?
Federal Budget Update
- Posted by Karen Ball on March 5th, 2010
The Federal Government tabled budget 2010 yesterday. Below is the summary provided by the Canadian Conference of the Arts
Canadian Conference of the Arts Executive Summary
The 2010 Budget includes stable funding to arts and culture with no cuts, but also yields no new investments into the creative economy. The CCA sees no investment towards cultural infrastructure, or funds for promotion abroad and audience development. It is encouraging that charities are given more flexible means to conduct business, and research granting associations will have an increased ability to fund higher education within the knowledge economy. Moving forward, some concerns include administrative reforms, freezes on departmental operating budgets, and changes to strategic reviews. These measures may not be viewed as cuts at the moment, but may lead to financial difficulties for the arts sector down the road.
Read the full detailed update here
Dine Out Calgary and Calgary's arts scene make the perfect pairing
- Posted March 3rd, 2010
For ten days, March 5 - 14, Dine Out Calgary presents a once-in-a-year opportunity to sample some of the city's top restaurants at value prices. The event makes the perfect pairing to this week's arts events like Theatre Junction's On the Side of the Road and the Calgary Artists for Haitian Relief concert.
Over 90 of Calgary's best restaurants, all located in the heart of the city, will participate in Dine Out Calgary with set price dining for lunch at $15 and $25 and dinner at $25 and $35 per person. The Ultimate Food and Wine Experience features chef's favourites and wine pairings for $85 per person.
In addition to set price dining, Dine Out Calgary offers not-to-be-missed dining experiences. At Rush, River Cafe and Charcut, the newest restaurant in the Cultural District, foodies can enjoy specially prepared menus and informative and engaging conversation with noted food author, Calgary Herald food writer and CBC restaurant critic, John Gilchrist.
For those with a sweet tooth, Olives Restaurant does Desserts on March 9th, where Pastry Chef Rachel Bergan and Executive Chef Johnathan Canning will 'whisk' diners away into a world of sweet decadence with a hands-on cooking class.
Choklat Snobbery 101 at Choklat on March 13th is a fun and fascinating evening of chocolate tasting and wine pairing. Chocolate fans learn the history of the "Food of the Gods" and the artisanal process of "making" chocolate right from the bean. Choklat is the only company in all of Western Canada that gives visitors the opportunity to see and learn how this incredible confection is made.
For the ultimate in wine tasting, on March 11th, Dave Henderson and his staff at The Cellar Wine Store share a variety of fine wines chosen from their extensive inventory of specialty wines from around the world. On March 12th, David Walker at 100 Wines takes a look back at the producers that have made Napa legendary. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse gives meat lovers a delicious course of big reds that perfectly match a succulent cut of Ruth's Chris tasty steak on March 13th.
Seating is limited for the events hosted by John Gilchrist. Tickets are $40 for lunch and $50 for dinner through DineOutCalgary.com. All other bookings can be made directly with participating restaurants.
For more information and a full list of restaurants and events visit DineOutCalgary.com.
12,000 up-and-coming artists perform at the 79th annual Calgary Kiwanis Festival
- Posted February 24th, 2010
The city’s best and brightest young artists in musical theatre, drama, vocal and instrumental performance compete at the 79th annual Calgary Kiwanis Festival from March 1 - 20.
As one of North America's largest amateur competitive classical music festivals, the Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival showcases almost 12,000 amateur performers from 5 to 25 years of age. The festival gives up-and-coming artists the opportunity to perform and compete for scholarships in 1,005 classes in 16 categories including piano, speech, choirs, musical theatre and, for the first time, harp.
Daily sessions are open to the public at no charge. Four additional concerts highlight some of the most outstanding performances in Musical Theatre, European Masters classes and Speech Performance.
The Stars of the Festival concert on March 20 highlights some of the festival’s most outstanding performers in a final showcase and concludes with the presentation of the prestigious Rose Bowl. The Registered Speech Teachers Association of Alberta joins the Calgary Kiwanis Festival to present their most promising young speech and drama performers on March 19 in the Outstanding Speech Performers Showcase. On March 13 in the Musical Theatre Showcase, select students perform selections from popular Broadway classics in addition to new works.
Throughout the year, festival participants also have the opportunity to share their love of music with the community, performing at a number of events around the city. In addition, the Peer Performance Project brings music students into schools to share their passion for music with their peers.
“The Festival offers something for everyone. Our participants are of all ages and skill levels. It’s a wonderful opportunity for those who love the arts to perform in front of an internationally recognized panel of adjudicators and a very enthusiastic audience," says Mary Ross, Executive Director of the festival.
For more information and a full events calendar, visit CalgaryKiwanisFestival.ca.
Read the full press release.
New study maps Calgary’s most artistic neighbourhoods
- Posted February 11th, 2010
A new report from cultural research firm Hill Strategies provides an analysis of artists and cultural workers residing in five Canadian cities including Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Calgary findings include information on the city’s 5,100 artists and 23,300 cultural workers and show that Calgary’s creative labour force tends to cluster in centrally located neighbourhoods near the downtown core.
The research study was commissioned by the five Canadian cities included in the study. The City of Calgary, Calgary Arts Development and Calgary Economic Development have all been involved and will be using the research findings in ongoing work to support the city’s arts and creative industries sectors. Comments from each of the organizations follow:
