Living a Creative Life Congress 2024
Calgary Arts Development
Dates: December 4 & 5, 2024
Location: Central Public Library
Theme: Through the lens of Art for Social Change, this year’s theme is, What does Blue Sky City mean to you?
Cost: Free but registration is required
ASL interpretation is provided
Registration
The 2024 Living a Creative Life Congress focuses once again on Art for Social Change and continues to probe the question: How might artists lead the way to a more equitable, inclusive, and accessible city where everyone belongs? This year we are exploring that question through the lens of our city’s new branding, Blue Sky City, as we look at ways Calgary can live up to the promise and potential of truly being a blue-sky city.
Get inspired, hear about some of the amazing work being done by Calgary artists, exchange ideas, and possibly find new collaborators for future projects. If that’s not enough, we invite you to enjoy some good food as well! An online option is available for those who can’t attend in person.
Special guest speaker Jesse Wente
The congress runs from 12:30pm on Wednesday, December 4, through to 5pm on Thursday, December 5, 2024
In addition to panel discussions and break-out sessions, we are excited to welcome award-winning writer and speaker Jesse Wente to inspire us on the evening of December 4.
You are invited to attend the entire congress, some of the daytime sessions, or just the evening session with Jesse Wente.
Accessibility
General accessibility information is listed below. If you have accessibility needs, please contact Cherie McMaster at cherie.mcmaster@calgaryartsdevelopment.com to discuss support options.
Information about accessibility at the Central Public Library can be found here.
Much of our event takes place in the Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, but some of the breakout sessions will occur in meeting rooms either in the basement or on the 3rd floor of the library. Elevators are cramped but available. Online attendees will be able to watch the live-streamed event in the Hall and attend a facilitated virtual breakout to engage attendees on Art for Social Change themes. There will be sharebacks on the second day, after workshops, to help all get a sense of the different rooms’ conversations.
We are reserving seating in the first three rows of the theatre which is accessible, easy to navigate, and can be reached via elevator. There will also be breakout sessions in the theatre space for those with mobility challenges. Meals will be made available close to this accessible seating area.
ASL Interpretation will be provided for all sessions in the theatre.
A quiet space is available for decompressing. Art therapists are on hand to hold space for calming activities or to support your emotional and mental well-being.
Food Options
There will be a place on the registration form to add any food sensitivities or allergies and to let us know if you require a vegetarian or vegan meal.
Wearing a Mask
As there has been a rise in COVID and flu cases, we request that if you are feeling unwell you do not attend in person. No one will question you if you are wearing a mask at our event.
Getting to our event and Parking
The Central Library is located at 800 3 Street SE, directly east of City Hall.
Public bike racks are located on all sides of the building, and bus routes stop on 3 Street SE and on 9 Avenue SE. The closest CTrain stop is City Hall, on both the Red and Blue lines.
There is parking in the City Hall parkade, paid parking lots on the east side of the Library, and paid street parking in the East Village. The CPA Lot 55 has all day parking for $10. There are accessible parking spots directly beside the Library which can then be accessed by elevator; this elevator is monitored during open hours if you require further assistance. We ask that all participants respect the accessible parking signs and do not use one of those spots unless needed.
For full congress details and a schedule of events visit Living a Creative Life Congress 2024.
