The Government of Canada has provided Canada Cultural Spaces Fund support of $2.38 million to eight arts and culture organizations in Calgary
CALGARY, April 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre), announced significant investments in cultural infrastructure for Calgary's arts and culture sector under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. Mr. Boissonnault made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
The Government of Canada has provided $2.38 million to eight creative organizations in Calgary, including $1.6 million to the Calgary Stampede Foundation for the construction of Walton Hall, a new flexible multipurpose space located in the heart of the foundation's youth campus. When complete, Walton Hall will provide affordable and accessible performance and rehearsal spaces, with room for audiences of up to 150 people.
In addition, funding will also support a wide range of projects across Calgary, including the purchase of specialized equipment, construction of performance and hosting spaces, upgrades to museum exhibition spaces, and infrastructure design and planning (see attached Backgrounder).
Continued investments in arts and culture help build dynamic and connected communities, allowing local economies to grow and giving more Canadians an opportunity to experience arts, culture and heritage activities.
Quotes
"Arts, culture and heritage institutions contribute to the richness, diversity and character of a community. Our government understands that investing in cultural infrastructure creates moments for shared experiences for Canadians, and supports the vitality and economic prosperity of our cities. I am delighted that Calgarians will be able to enjoy the enhanced creative spaces and activities offered by these organizations."
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
"Today's announcement demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Albertans. These investments reaffirm the value of the arts and creative spaces in our cities, and will strengthen culture and heritage activities accessible to residents and visitors to Calgary. I am especially pleased that the Calgary Stampede Foundation has chosen to honour the heritage of the region in the construction of the new Walton Hall."
—Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre)
"The Calgary Stampede Foundation is very grateful for the generous grant of $1.6 million from the Government of Canada. Walton Hall will be a highly accessible and inclusive venue that will be used by artists of all levels. It will provide professional-level facilities and management services to support professional and emerging artists through their rehearsals, performances and other arts presentations."
—Steve Allan, Past Board Chair, Calgary Stampede Foundation
Quick Facts
- The Calgary Public Library Foundation, established in 1999, will purchase sound, lighting, projection and production equipment to outfit a newly built 110-seat performance space within the Memorial Park Library in downtown Calgary.
- Walton Hall is being built by the Calgary Stampede Foundation to honour a 110-year-old church, which was damaged beyond repair during the 2013 flood. Currently under construction on the Foundation's Youth Campus, the Hall will sit alongside a series of arts, heritage and education buildings located in the heart of the city's Victoria Park neighbourhood.
- Located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame will purchase new shelving to enhance its ability to store and preserve historical artefacts within the 40,000 square feet of exhibition space dedicated to preserving and celebrating Canada's sport history.
- An electronic media arts centre established in 1979, the EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society will construct a new multimedia screening room for audiences of up to 50 people.
- The Fort Calgary Preservation Society operates Fort Calgary, a National Historic Site of Canada located at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Funding will support the Society in its expansion and redesign project that will upgrade the on-site museum's audio-video and lighting equipment.
- The Freed Artist Society, a not-for-profit organization composed of hip-hop/urban artists and community builders, will purchase specialized equipment for a mobile storage and performance space that will deliver programming in outdoor, indoor and under-served areas, including rural and Indigenous communities.
- The In-Definite Arts is Canada's oldest and largest disability arts organization. Funding will support the development of a feasibility study and master plan as part of a use assessment of the organization's current footprint. The assessment will also identify opportunities to maximize space efficiency, including a conceptual design with cost estimates.
- Theatre Calgary was established in 1968 as the city's first fully professional theatre company. Funding will support the construction of a portable stage and associated infrastructure, as well as sound and lighting equipment for the organization's productions of Shakespeare by the Bow.
- In Budget 2017, the Government of Canada dedicated $300 million to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund over a 10-year period, starting in 2018, to support creative hubs and other cultural spaces. This additional investment is a part of the social infrastructure component of the Investing in Canada Plan.
- The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports the improvement of physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation. The fund supports the improvement, renovation and construction of arts and heritage facilities, as well as the acquisition of specialized equipment.
Associated Links
Calgary Public Library Foundation
Calgary Stampede Foundation
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society
Fort Calgary Preservation Society
The Freed Artist Society
In-Definite Arts
Investing in Canada Plan
Theatre Calgary
Data Table – Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
| City |
Name of Organization |
Name of Activity |
Amount |
| Calgary |
Calgary Public Library Foundation |
Transformation of Memorial Park Library into an arts and cultural hub |
$24,982 |
| Calgary |
Calgary Stampede Foundation |
Walton Hall |
$1,635,344 |
| Calgary |
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame |
Specialized equipment project: heritage collection |
$16,389 |
| Calgary |
EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society |
Construction of new multimedia screen room |
$10,000 |
| Calgary |
Fort Calgary Preservation Society |
Fort Calgary Museum re-design and expansion |
$557,993 |
| Calgary |
The Freed Artist Society |
Mobile storage and performance space |
$22,200 |
| Calgary |
The In-Definite Arts |
Arts Centre feasibility study and plan |
$37,750 |
| Calgary |
Theatre Calgary |
Shakespeare by the Bow Infrastructure |
$75,000 |
| TOTAL: |
$2,379,658 |
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
(media only), please contact: Simon Ross, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]
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