June 22nd Event

Community Forum: OnLine Version

Mike Scullen — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 11:34:50 -0400

Thanks to everyone who attended our Community Forum on Calgary's art spaces that happened June 22. We were delighted by the turnout and the ideas generated at the event.

We have digitized your input from the forum and it is now presented in a raw form here. We have just begun the processing of this data, and would like to invite those who were not able to attend the forum to contribute via the comment system on our website. read more »

Rumors (Research to date)

Mike Scullen — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:33:58 -0400

This is what we’re hearing. What else can you tell us?

This is some of what we understand so far.

There is a demand for more space for:

theatre

- for community and professional companies (upwards of 25 companies that would use more space if it existed)

- with the following seat numbers: 60-80, 100, 150, 200, 800, 1000, 1200

music

- venues for presenting, studios for recording and production

contemporary dance
independent film festivals
an artist-run cinematheque
exhibitions for visual arts
artistic incubation
festivals, in general
artist-run centres
a major visual art museum
rehearsal space
studios for printmakers
studios for ceramicists
studios for glass blowers
studios for textile artists
access for youth in the arts
studios, in general
affordable living for artists
live / work studios
storage
offices for arts organizations
meetings
the public
intersections of diverse communities
temporary/spontaneous projects
education

Proposed or current development / expansion / revitalization projects
(to name a few and in no particular order): read more »

Trends

Mike Scullen — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:19:20 -0400

This is a glimpse of what we’ve learned so far.

Where are we going as artists and as a city?

What else do you know?

What do you think about these trends?

Please add to and comment on these speculative statements:

1.Collaboration is an increasingly prominent trend. Linked to collaboration are synergy, autonomy, and partnership.

2.Calgary has increasing flow of international activity. For example, more Calgary artists are recognized world-wide and Calgary organizations are inviting more international artists.

3.Calgary is a hot bed of artistic innovation in all artistic disciplines, from emerging to established.

4.Calgary arts organizations are gaining more recognition nationally. This last year Calgary Opera, Alberta Ballet, One Yellow Rabbit and the visual arts were all recognized by prominent national magazines.

5.Our demographic is changing. We represent an increasingly diverse population.

6.Although we have one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada, approximately 129,000 citizens fall under the low-income category.

7.Calgary has unprecedently growth in population, commercial and residential development.

8.Calgary currently has the lowest downtown vacancy rate in the world, reports CBC.

9.Calgary has one of the youngest populations in Canada.

10.A large number of arts organizations big and small are in need of new space or have expansion plans.

11.The arts are taking more of a leadership roll in participating in programs for youth, health and social services.

12.Arts and culture are “bursting at the seams” in Calgary.

What are we forgetting?
What other trends can you add?
Do you agree these are trends?
How will these trends impact the arts in Calgary?

Spaces we didn't know about

Mike Scullen — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:19:19 -0400

Improve our list:

Other Ideas

Mike Scullen — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:19:16 -0400

Here are some other ideas:

Criteria

Mike Scullen — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:19:14 -0400

What criteria would you suggest to evaluate a new, revitalized or expanding arts spaces? Specific or general. Please brainstorm.

Suggestions:

How does the proposed cultural space project:

Build strong communities as an anchor?
Be a catalyst for other developments in communities?
Provide access for a diverse range of Calgarians? read more »

Glossary

Mike Scullen — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 20:25:36 -0400

Help us define key terms that can be used universally by the community in discussions around cultural space.

Wish List

Mike Scullen — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 19:32:47 -0400

Dream big. No boundaries. What spaces would you like to see in Calgary in the next 10 years? read more »

Needs for Space

Mike Scullen — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:41:37 -0400

What do we need for new or existing cultural spaces over the next ten years?

What type of space? Where should it be? Who are the artists/producers and the audience?

(Even if you think we know, tell us again.) read more »