15 arts spaces projects will be recommended to Calgary City Council as strong opportunities for the future of Calgary later this fall as a result of a comprehensive arts spaces strategy being led by Calgary Arts Development in partnership with The City of Calgary.

In 2007, Calgary Arts Development completed research on the current state of cultural space for the arts in Calgary, including the construction of a cultural space inventory and extensive engagement with over 350 citizens and 125 arts organizations, as well as benchmarking across North America and the collection and analysis of international case studies. The conclusion of this research identified Signature Flagship Projects, Arts Incubators, and Community Arts Facilities as top priorities. A comprehensive strategy was developed to meet these key needs, including the Arts Spaces Investment Process (ASIP), an open and transparent process to recommend cultural space projects for municipal investment through the City of Calgary's Culture, Parks & Recreation Infrastructure Investment Plan (CPRIIP).

NOTE: These projects are RECOMMENDATIONS ONLY. Funding for the recommended projects will be determined at a later date by the City of Calgary's through their CPRIIP process. 15 recommended arts spaces projects resulting from the Arts Spaces Investment Process will be brought to City Council's November 5, 2008 Standing Policy Committee on Community & Protective Services.

Backgrounders, a detailed news release and media contact information are available for download below, along with links to key publications. Additional arts spaces images are available for media use upon request.

Extraordinary spaces for the arts. Extraordinary spaces for everyone (2008). Results of Calgary Arts Development's Arts Spaces Investment Process. An open and transparent process to recommend visionary cultural space projects for municipal investment (download below).

Reclaiming Calgary's Cultural Identity: Arts Spaces Strategy & Capital Plan (adopted April 2007). Calgary Arts Development's strategy for arts facilities in Calgary focuses on reclaiming Calgary's cultural identity as a leader in providing great spaces for the arts.

The Current State of Cultural Spaces for the Arts in Calgary: Research Report (2007) A comprehensive report detailing the state of arts facilities in Calgary has been completed by Calgary Arts Development 

MEDIA CONTACT
Erica Mattson, Director of Marketing & Communications
Calgary Arts Development
[p] 403.264.5330 extension 106
[e] erica.mattson[at]calgaryartsdevelopment.com