Calgary Arts Development, through our Arts Spaces Investment Process, is recommending 15 arts spaces projects as strong opportunities for the future of Calgary. Please take some time to read more about these exciting projects and view this short video (approximately nine minutes in length) to hear directly from the projects about the visionary work they have underway to change the face of Calgary's cultural landscape and build a strong arts infrastructure for the sector and for all Calgarians.

Lead with Culture: Building the Extraordinary

Lead with Culture: Building the Extraordinary from Calgary Arts Development on Vimeo.

Calgary Arts Development is in the final stages of our 2008 Arts Space Investment Program (ASIP). Through ASIP organizations and/or individuals may apply to be recommended by Calgary Arts Development for funding of up to 25% of the costs of a capital (building) project from the City of Calgary.
Earlier this year City Council ear-marked 5% of the province's $3.3 billion infrastructure contribution for arts and culture space in the city. This amounts to $165 million in civic funding for arts and culture space over the next 10 years. Much of this support will be directed towards projects brought forward by Calgary Arts Development though the Arts Space Investment Process.

The deadline to submit a letter of intent for the 2009 Arts Space Investment Process is November 15, 2008.Please contact Karen Ball at Calgary Arts Development for more information.

This video is from Calgary Arts Development’s Art Space Investment Information Session held on October 16th in Calgary. The presentation is approximately 30 minutes and provides information on the Art Spaces Investment Process for anyone who may be considering applying with a capital project to create new art space in Calgary.  read more »

The following is a list of information resources to aid in art space development. Check back often as we will add to the list when other useful resources become available. Please let us know about other online resources we should share here.

Space Planning for Organizations:
OrgSpaces.org - "OrgSpaces.org brings together information about
space availability, planning, funding and sharing
to help non-profits stay and thrive in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area." They have published a useful guide to aid in deciding whether to lease or to build here.  read more »

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.

 

• November 15, 2008 - deadline for letter of intent for application in 2009  read more »

Calgary Arts Development has launched a a new process for groups and individuals wishing to secure city land or funding for capital projects that create new arts space.

Arts and culture play a central role in Calgarians' view of what it means to have a high quality of life. Calgary Arts Development's ongoing research has brought forward a clear message about arts spaces: Calgarians want visionary thinking with a vibrant Centre City region featuring iconic anchor facilities and incubator spaces, supported by arts-infused communities.

Calgary Arts Development has enacted a series of initiatives to enable the creation of new arts spaces for Calgary. These include:

• The completion of the research report ‘The Current State of Cultural Spaces for the Arts in Calgary' and accompanying strategy for arts space development ‘Reclaiming Calgary's Cultural Identity: Art Spaces Strategy and Capital Plan'

• The launch of the Art Spaces Investment Process, a program for groups or individuals wishing to access City funding for their arts space capital projects (see Art Space Investment Process).

The Art Spaces Investment Process exists to make Calgary a city known for its great arts spaces. Calgary Arts Development's vision is to develop a catalyst process for the creation of:

• A cultural cluster in the city centre with a downtown that boasts internationally significant iconic arts anchor facilities and city centre neighborhoods that house incubator spaces for emerging artists and organizations.

• Arts facilities as a core part of complete communities with facilities built specifically for arts experiences serving as defining feature for all geographic areas of the city and a well developed network of small scale dedicated arts spaces to support arts activities in suburban regions.  read more »

Please download and read through the Art Spaces Investment Process guidelines below.

 

Contact Karen Ball, Director of Community Investment or Holly Simon, Community Investment Officer at 264-5330 to receive the complete Art Spaces Investment Application.