First of all, it's been a while since I posted a blog entry, I know - Shame on me!

But the good news is that we've been busy developing our art space program at Calgary Arts Development! We have been in the street seeking out art space opportunities and trying to match artists and arts organizations to these spaces. Identifying space opportunities involves keeping an ear to the ground, tapping into knowledge networks, and actively brokering relationships.

Anyway, enough about us; the purpose of this blog is to bring attention to the wonderful developments, stories and inspiration related to space development in Calgary, Canada and the world!

Congratulations to Comrad Sound and Local Library!

It is extremely exciting to see the development of these two new all ages spaces (or  every-age  space, as denoted in the attached Local Library invite). As a local musician I have been following the all-ages music scene in Calgary for some time - through peaks and troughs - and am very excited to see artists and musicians creating their own spaces. First the New Black Centre was established and then Comrad Sound and now Local Library!

The music is only one of the highlights of these two new multi-disciplinary spaces! Comrad Sound has hosted a music gear trade day, movie nights, and  even a guitar set-up workshop! Local Library will have a visual art component to go along with the all ages music programming.

This is great news for a downtown Calgary that has seen the closure of spaces and the expulsion of all ages music programming from the premises. There was the Multicultural Centre (a mecca for the all ages music scene for a time) and the Carpenter’s Union Hall. One problem with sustaining space for the all ages music scene is that a few wreck it for all, which creates a stigma that is often unfairly attached to all ages shows and their patrons. Well Calgary can be proud of our new all ages space-makers who - young and not-so-young, have taken the initiative to open space where kids can partake in art, culture, community and creativity.

Visit Local Library this Saturday at 6 - 11 pm for their grand opening celebration!! (Local Library is housed at Central United Church at 131 7th Ave SW and is accessible by the alley entrance between 7th and 8th Ave.)

In case you missed it, here’s an article with the same theme from the FFWD a few weeks ago: click
Here’s the Comrad Sound calendar: www.comrad.ca
Also check out the New Black Centre: www.thenewblackcentre.com
 

Hi blog-readers!Today I came across a story that I found relevant to Calgary and especially my neighborhood (Cliff Bungalow-Mission). The story that I found in the New York Times was one of art reigning victorious when development projects fail. An empty lot was turned into a temporary, interactive, curated art park. This park sounds really great! There is actual programming and while the art park is temporary, it is great that the space is being put to positive use until construction can begin. Read more »

During recessionary times, shops close down, rents decrease, and artists are hopefully able to take advantage of realities such as these in order to secure space for their work; be it creation, incubation, rehearsal, exhibition or performance. It is most often up to the artist or arts organizations themselves to take advantage of these leads. Read more »

Hello blog readers! The story that I highlight today occured in Hamburg, Germany. It is about how Daniel Richter, an established young artist, led a protest to save a section of Old Hamburg which is slotted to be torn down and replaced by office and living towers. The protest was meant to identify two problems that exist in cities all over the world. The first is a decision to tear down historic buildings in an old neglected area of Hamburg. Policymakers all over the world employ these types of strategies to fight crime and poverty. Instead of getting to the root of the problem, historic buildings (and even entire neighborhoods) are torn down and those who are destitute that have made these buildings their homes will hopefully just move somewhere else. Read more »

The Alberta government will commit up to $20 million to help move the construction of the new Mount Royal Conservatory forward.  The Government of Canada will also consider funding up to $20 million, or one-third of the eligible project costs, through its Building Canada Fund subject to program guidelines being met.  Plans for the expansion include construction of a new 650-seat performance hall, approximately 82 studios, 16 practice rooms, two large studios, various classrooms and large rehearsal areas.

Enrolment at the current Mount Royal Conservatory is approximately 5,000 students under 18 years of age, representing 11,800 course registrations. The Conservatory’s long-term plan is to increase enrolment by 50 per cent over the next 15-20 years and be a leading national arts organization. Read more »

Space Place #3:

Hi blog-readers!

Here is a great chance for everyone to witness and interact with the development of one of Calgary's biggest development projects currently under way! Please click here if you need to get up to date on what's happened so far in this $100 million project in the East Village!

Cantos Music Foundation Presents:
July 23, 2009. 5-9 p.m. at the Grand Theatre, 608 1st St SW

Join us as five of the world's leading architects compete to design a major project  in Calgary - Cantos' new national music  centre at the King Eddy site in the East Village.
Read more »

Space Place #2

July 9, 2009

Hello interweb users! I hope you're enjoying a wonderful July day. Today's entry focuses on an arts and culture space that is getting a huge expansion on Mulberry street in Manhattan. I have no doubt that I have walked by this building before, unaware. It is wonderful to see a Chinese cultural hub experience such a massive growth in size! Here's a link to the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/arts/design/09chinatown.html

Calgary also has a Chinese Cultural Centre! This Saturday the Centre is co-hosting a Stampede Breakfast with MLA Kent Hehr! Here is a link to the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre's web site:

http://www.culturalcentre.ca/index.php?page=museum

Enjoy the article and happy Stampede! 

Bil

June 29, 2009

Hi. My name is Bil Hetherington and I am Program Coordinator for Arts Spaces at Calgary Arts Development. I am here to help facilitate and support the development and expansion of art spaces in Calgary.

I have been charged with the task of art space blogging. The purpose of this blog will be to create awareness of art space developments happening at home, and abroad. This is my very first blog.

You can also watch http://twitter.com/bhetherington
Here goes ...

The Waffle Shop:

This art space is an unusual late-night waffle emporium in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood that celebrates the lives and stories of its customers through the production of a weekly talk show on the premises. It also interacts with cyber-patrons. Unfortunately for the latter, the waffles can only be enjoyed on site. Read more »