Calgary’s Next Chapter in Arts Spaces
Major arts spaces are transforming, reshaping what it means for Calgary as an arts city
Calgary’s art spaces are entering a new chapter — one shaped by growth, diversity and a hunger for deeper connection. New transformations are making creativity more visible and accessible than ever. As beloved institutions expand and reimagine themselves, they’re cementing themselves as cultural entry points for all Calgarians, not just artists, but everyday people looking for meaning, beauty or simply a place to gather and connect. These shifts aren’t just about physical infrastructure; they’re about unlocking the full potential of a city that’s ready to see and express itself more clearly through art. Take a look at some of Calgary’s new and upcoming arts spaces.
Rendering by KPMB Architects in Association with Hindle Architects and Tawaw Architecture Collective, Courtesy of CMLC
WERKLUND CENTRE & OLYMPIC PLAZA
Home to six resident companies and Western Canada’s largest arts centre, Werklund Centre (formerly Arts Commons) has long been a cultural cornerstone in Calgary. Across from the centre, Olympic Plaza has served as a symbolic outdoor gathering space since the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. Now, these two spaces are undergoing what the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) describes as “the largest cultural infrastructure project currently underway in Canada.” When complete in 2028, a new 170,000 sq. ft. facility with a 1,000-seat theatre and 200-seat studio will open onto a reimagined, inclusive Olympic Plaza, creating a continuous cultural experience for Calgarians and visitors alike. werklundcentre.ca
Left to right: Renderings by KPMB Architects in Association with Hindle Architects and Tawaw Architecture Collective, Courtesy of CMLC
GLENBOW
When visitors ask about Calgary’s museums, locals often point to the Glenbow, a familiar cultural touchpoint for Calgarians of all ages. Closed for renovations since 2021, the Glenbow will reopen in 2026 in a revitalized building, renamed the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture. The new facility will feature 44 exhibitions and installations across eight floors, plus a rooftop terrace, theatre, shop and restaurant. Notably, Glenbow will become the first major museum in Canada to offer free general admission forever, “ensuring that access to arts and culture is a right for everyone, not a privilege for the few,” as stated on Glenbow’s website. glenbow.org
Left to right: Architectural concept renderings by DIALOG
NATIONAL accessArts CENTRE
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, the National accessArts Centre (NaAC) is Canada’s first multidisciplinary disability arts organization. It provides training, creation and presentation opportunities for artists with disabilities. The NaAC is now embarking on the largest capital project in support of disability arts in Canadian history to build North America’s first accessible, disability-focused, arts learning campus along Memorial Drive. “It is no accident that Calgary will be home to this type of campus, further cementing our city’s position as the epicentre of our country’s disability arts movement,” says Jung-Suk Ryu, president and CEO of NaAC. accessarts.ca
Left to right: Design by DIALOG + Access DZN + ISL, Rendering by Red Knot
COWBOYS PARK
Long a home to outdoor festivals and concerts, Cowboys Park (formerly Millennium Park) has also served as a major hub for recreation as Canada’s largest outdoor skate park, along with amenities for basketball, volleyball and climbing. Now, the park is being transformed into a plug-and-play event destination, according to The City of Calgary. Planned infrastructure upgrades will better accommodate events and users. As the downtown core evolves, Cowboys Park is becoming a more flexible and accessible space for recreation, arts and community gathering. calgary.ca/parks/cowboys-park
Courtesy of City of Calgary
CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
Momentum is building in Calgary’s downtown eastside, known as the Culture + Entertainment (C+E) District, as it transforms into a vibrant, walkable community. Already popular for exceptional cultural experiences at the BMO Centre, Scotiabank Saddledome and the Calgary Stampede, the district’s full build-out will add over four million square feet of mixed-use residential, commercial and retail space. New features will include the Scotia Place events centre, opening in 2027, hotels and other amenities that support gathering, creativity and connection. cedistrict.com
Photos Left to right: Mediapop, Spirit of Water by Gerry Judah image by Mark Shannon, Mark Shannon, Mediapop
CONTEMPORARY CALGARY
As one of Calgary’s newest art spaces, Contemporary Calgary has been reshaping the city’s cultural landscape since 2020. Located in the iconic former Centennial Planetarium, previously home to the TELUS World of Science, this gallery is a modern and contemporary art destination. The ongoing renovations, including expanded galleries and Canada’s first immersive LED dome, are set to further transform the space. “It’s a collective cultural momentum,” says CEO David Leinster, highlighting Calgary’s growing global cultural presence. contemporarycalgary.com
Courtesy of Contemporary Calgary, renderings by Norm Li Studios
This article was originally published in the 2025 edition of Create Calgary, an annual magazine launched by Calgary Arts Development to celebrate the work of artists who call Mohkinsstsis/Calgary home.
You can pick up a free copy at public libraries, community recreation centres and other places where you find your favourite magazines. You can also read the digital version online here.
