Dark and early one frigid January morning, a dozen dedicated members of Calgary's cultural community gathered around urns of coffee at the University of Calgary's Rosza Centre. They chatted quietly, nibbling on muffins, unsure of exactly what was to take place. The HUB room was set up like a cafe, but the tables were draped with paper cloths and topped with piles of candies, pens and sticky notes. Local CBC Radio arts reporter John Spittal was in attendance, recording conversations and conducting interviews with participants.

Holly Simon, Knowledge Manager at Calgary Arts Development, got up to say a few words about the organization and its purpose. One key point was the five pillars needed to support cultural activity – Access and Awareness; Financial Resources; Human Capital; Partnerships and Cultural Space. That last pillar, of course, was the topic for the morning.

Cheryl DePaoli then explained the World Café process. This community engagement technique has been used by businesses, education, government and community organizations around the world. Its purpose is to facilitate meaningful discussions about critical issues, enhancing people's capacity to shape their future together.

The first question on the agenda was “What does Calgary need to be an artistically vibrant city?”. Conversations began tentatively at each table, the early hour finding some participants low on energy. Within minutes though, the debate began to heat up. Experiences were shared – about this city, as well as travels around the world - café culture in Barcelona and public art in Portland.

Soon, participants began turning their impressions into solutions. Their ideas centered around several large concepts.

First – there is a dire need for affordable live/work space in Calgary. Emerging artists especially, need opportunities for space as well as scholarships to keep them in the city. Collective studio and rehearsal spaces are also important to sustaining cultural activity.

Arts organizations as well, need protected spaces – many artist-run centres' leases are ending, and alternate spaces are not affordable or available. One idea was for cultural space to be treated like green space – civic planners would be accountable for these needs. It was pointed out that different solutions are needed for different artistic disciplines, and information about available spaces needs to be kept current and available to everyone.

Second, participants suggested thinking creatively in order to create new cultural spaces – looking at small spaces in between larger projects and the potential for arts space in big box shopping centres. Mobile locations were also an idea to serve diverse communities on a temporary basis.

Streetscape was another concern for many. Calgary's Public Art Program needs to be expanded to include iconic emblems that citizens can take ownership in. Art should be found in unexpected places around the city, and more information and insights about existing pieces should be available to engage passers-by.

The room fell into silence as Cheryl asked everyone to write down the three most important ideas that came up during the discussion. Each participant covered several post-its with notes.

With the introduction of a second question, debate grew more intense - “What are your ideas for making the arts more visible, accessible, meaningful and sustainable in Calgary?”

Awareness was one idea mentioned most often. More media coverage would be helpful, but Calgarians need to take ownership of the arts. The arts need to be sold as part of the fabric of this city. Education was also mentioned as an important part of awareness – the languages of the arts need to be included in our vocabulary from an early age.

The third round of discussion was the most energetic (and loudest) of all. The coffee was taking full effect as people began using their hands to make points and explain concepts. These ideas were also jotted down on the tablecloths provided.

For this round, the questions were “What considerations should be taken into account when creating and locating art space in Calgary?” and “What resources, policies and support are needed from government, corporate and other stakeholders to make Calgary artistically vibrant?”

Partnerships were a major theme throughout this discussion. It was felt that support from major members of the business community is needed to showcase the arts in a visible manner. Corporations should have an obligation for cultural responsibility, as well as social responsibility. Partnerships with schools were also seen as a way to make use of facilities like gyms and theatres throughout the entire day and year.

Some were concerned that artists should be able to concentrate on their practice rather than administering spaces. Arts facility management is a new set of duties requiring new training – it was suggested that the “Epcor Concept” should be expanded, creating a central “Art Facility Operator”. Many also mentioned a need for better civic leadership in this area – particularly a senior civil servant for cultural facilities.

At the end of the discussion, conclusions were shared and thank yous said, but chat continued with participants exchanging information and email addresses. Old friends and aquaintences were able to catch up with each other, while many new contacts and relationships were formed around ideas for Calgary's cultural future.