| Calgary is lagging far behind other cities in the amount of performing arts and visual arts space it has for arts groups. The Calgary Arts Development Authority recently compared Calgary with other cities and found that Calgary has less than half the number of seats in performance arts centres on a per capita basis than Austin, Vancouver and Seattle. The study looked at Toronto, Seattle, Vancouver, Austin, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary and found that Calgary had the lowest number of performing arts and visual arts facilities combined than any of the other cities. Winnipeg has fewer performing arts facilities and Edmonton has fewer visual arts facilities.
The study also found that existing performing arts centres in Calgary are straining to meet the space requirements of arts and cultural groups. On average, the facilities are operating at 92.3 per cent capacity and rehearsal space is extremely tight.
Karen Ball, director of grants and community relations with the authority, says the study shows "space is at a premium and it’s putting a strain on the sector so it’s inhibiting growth." Ball says despite the fact that two new theatres, the Vertigo and the Grand, recently opened in Calgary, and Pumphouse Theatre is planning a major expansion, Calgary is still extremely short on performing arts space. "When we build a new facility like the Grand what we’ve seen is that it’s instantly booked. As soon as the doors open basically it’s rented," says Ball.
Scott McTavish, executive director of Pumphouse Theatre, can attest that space has become extremely tight. "What we tell people is that essentially a company has to go out of business and that’s really the only way anyone is going to get into this building…. It’s that critical," he says. McTavish believes it’s important that arts and cultural groups have appropriate, affordable and accessible space. He says Calgary is becoming a "cultural hotbed" with positive reviews of recent Alberta Ballet and Calgary Opera performances in the New York Times. "We’ve come into our own, but we’re sort of hitting the wall now and we need to take down that wall and build upon the success," he says.
The Calgary Arts Development Authority also points out that Calgary has a "conspicuous" lack of "signature architecture" in performing arts centres. Ball says there’s a need for "flagship" or "landmark destination" cultural centres for the city in the downtown core that would be tourist draws and put Calgary on the map. She says there also needs to be more performing arts centres distributed throughout the city, not just downtown. "We’re looking for development in both the centre city and also in the outlying areas of the city," she says.
Ball says the authority is hoping the City of Calgary will play a leadership role in addressing the issue because she says the lack of space "prevents the arts scene from growing and realizing its potential."
"We create innovative work, we have a thriving arts scene, we have a loyal and dedicated audience, and we are becoming an international city. However, space is definitely one very key issue that could limit that potential from being realized," she says. |
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