Creative Spaces Speaker Series with Ken Ikeda of CAST
The third event in our Creative Spaces Speaker Series features Ken Ikeda, CEO of Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) in San Francisco. CAST has helped transform access to space for arts and culture nonprofits in the Bay Area, at a time when artists were being priced out left and right in San Francisco and were particularly vulnerable to an escalating commercial real estate market. Under Ikeda’s and CAST’s guidance, organizations have leveraged private equity for nonprofit capital, managed loan funds and navigated mergers and acquisitions to sustain and grow the reach of arts and media.
Join us in person at the Edison building in downtown Calgary or online via Zoom on May 20, 2025, for a virtual presentation by Ikeda and learn about CAST’s new Space to Dream Initiative, designed to ensure long-term affordability for artists and arts organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Creative Spaces Speaker Series is focused on creative spaces and social purpose real estate in Calgary. Presented by Creative Spaces Community of Practice in partnership with Calgary Arts Development, these events have been created specifically to help those who develop, own and operate spaces, those who are looking for spaces, and everyone in between, solve space-related issues. Events will be held until summer.
Mark your calendars and RSVP for the upcoming event:
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 4 – 6pm
Location: The Edison (150 9 Ave. SW), 3rd floor conference room, or online via Zoom
In-person event: Register here
Online event: Register here
Come for the snacks, stay for the innovation!
The Creative Spaces Speaker Series 2025 is a pivotal initiative in addressing Calgary’s creative spaces challenge. Developed by the Creative Spaces Community of Practice (CSCoP), and supported by Calgary Arts Development and cSpace Projects, this monthly series will run in spring 2025 and is strategically designed to empower local leaders by sharing invaluable knowledge, fostering community connections, and providing a platform for informed decision-making.
In 2025, the Creative Spaces Speaker Series will focus on Social Purpose Real Estate (SPRE) as a broader solution to Calgary’s creative spaces issues. By providing a platform for information sharing and networking opportunities, this series aims to empower local leaders, fostering a resilient and thriving creative community. Through collaboration and knowledge exchange, we aspire to create a lasting impact on Calgary’s creative landscape.
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