Thank you to everyone that has journeyed into the great form abyss that is our Operating Grant Program and made it through the other end.  We are excited about all that financial and statistical data that you have provided us with, (we're weird that way).  Now our job begins, to compile and share these stats back to all the organizations that have put the effort into providing them.  We are looking forward to using this information to tell compelling stories of the impact that our arts organizations have on our City and the lives of Calgarians. 

In the mean time, Lauren is diligently digging herself out from under a mountain of grants and support material and will be in touch with organizations that may still owe us bits of information.  We look forward to reading the operating grant applications and reports and continuing to be inspired be the amazing vision and skill of Calgary's artists and arts organizations!

This letter from the Collective Arts Think Tank in New York should be addressed and sent to every arts funder.    It examines what's working and what's not working in strategies to supporting artists and the creation of work.  Scan the highlights below, but be sure to read the whole letter (linked above) to get to the depth of the issues that work for the success or detriment to artists and organizations.What's working:

1. Artists that make work on the work's schedule
2. Tailor-made management strategies for projects or artists
3. Knowing the real costs
4. Generosity among colleagues
5. Multi-year funding and presenting
6. Subsidized rentals

What's not working: Read more »

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 »

If you're trying to contact anyone on the CADA team by telephone in the short term, I expect you're experiencing frustration.  So are we!

At this point, we are in the midst of moving offices, and unfortunately, due to delays in the work required of our new space, we do not have telephone access.  In addition, our team is telecommuting from various locations around Calgary.

Your best for contacting us is via e-mail or, believe it or not, Twitter! (@calgaryartsdev, @TerryAtCADA, @EricaAtCADA).

The good news is, you'll LOVE the new space!

Terry (cell: 403-681-2909)

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 »