City council is considering a motion to lower rental rates for local non-profit arts and culture groups housed in city-owned properties slated for demolition.
A motion, introduced by Ald. Joe Ceci, also asks the city to provide immediate financial relief to the Artpoint Gallery and Studios Society in Inglewood-Ramsay, which saw its rent increase to $64,000 from $33,000 last year to reflect market rates.
The building will likely be demolished within 15 years to make way for the future leg of the southeast LRT. The space houses three galleries, 30 artists and 50 members of the Heritage Weavers and Spinners Guild of Calgary, and hosts several Fringe Festival events, and would be hard pressed to set up shop elsewhere, says society president Jacqulynn Mulyk. “There’s nothing that exists in Calgary of the same size, ability and nowhere near the price range,” she says.
The motion, which has the backing of the Calgary Arts Development, will be discussed at a May 11 committee meeting. City administration requires council approval to negotiate lower rental rates.
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