Article – I’ve walked through the doors of Contemporary Calgary more times than I can count over the past three years. What strikes me each visit is how this institution, housed in the former Centennial Planetarium, continues to evolve. Yesterday’s announcement of $250,000 in funding from TD Bank Group marks another significant step in that journey.
The funding comes at a pivotal moment for Calgary’s premier modern and contemporary art institution. Since reopening in the renovated planetarium building in 2020, Contemporary Calgary has been working to balance artistic excellence with community accessibility – not always an easy task in our city’s cultural landscape.
“This partnership with TD allows us to expand our community outreach programs in ways we simply couldn’t before,” explained David Leinster, CEO of Contemporary Calgary, during yesterday’s announcement. “We’re particularly focused on reaching underserved communities and ensuring art isn’t just for those who can afford it.”
The funding will support three key initiatives: expanded free admission days, enhanced educational programming for schools in lower-income neighborhoods, and the development of a digital archive making the collection accessible online.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who attended the announcement, emphasized the importance of cultural institutions in city-building. “As Calgary continues to diversify our economy and attract talent, vibrant cultural spaces like Contemporary Calgary play a crucial role in creating the kind of city people want to call home,” she noted.
The timing couldn’t be better. According to the City of Calgary’s 2024 Cultural Engagement Survey, 68% of Calgarians believe access to arts and cultural experiences improves their quality of life, yet 42% report cost as a significant barrier to participation.
TD’s investment addresses this gap directly. The expanded free admission days will increase from one day per month to two, with special programming during these events designed to welcome first-time visitors. I’ve attended several of these free days in the past, and the diversity of attendees is noticeably different from typical gallery hours.
What makes this funding particularly impactful is its focus on youth engagement. The enhanced educational programming will provide transportation subsidies for schools in communities like Forest Lawn, Dover, and Marlborough – areas that have historically had lower participation rates in cultural activities according to City data.
Jennifer Jones, TD’s Regional Vice President for Alberta, framed the investment as part of the bank’s broader commitment to community building. “Arts and culture create shared experiences that strengthen community bonds. We see this funding as an investment in Calgary’s social fabric,” she said.
Contemporary Calgary has come a long way since its formation through the merger of the Art Gallery of Calgary, the Museum of Contemporary Art Calgary, and The Institute for Modern and Contemporary Art in 2013. After years without a permanent home, the move into the renovated planetarium building provided stability and growth potential.
Walking through the current exhibition yesterday – a thought-provoking collection exploring climate change through various artistic lenses – I was reminded of how the institution balances challenging artistic ideas with accessibility. School groups moved through the space alongside individual visitors, with educators providing context that made the work approachable without diminishing its complexity.
Leinster acknowledged past criticism that contemporary art can feel exclusive or intimidating. “We’re working to break down those barriers,” he explained. “Art should provoke thought and emotion for everyone, not just those with formal art education.”
The funding announcement comes as Calgary’s arts sector continues to recover from pandemic disruptions. According to Calgary Arts Development, the sector saw a 27% decrease in overall attendance between 2019 and 2023, though numbers have been steadily improving.
The digital archive initiative, expected to launch next spring, represents an important innovation. It will feature high-resolution images of works from the permanent collection along with educational content designed for various age groups.
“Physical access is only part of the equation,” noted Sarah Williams, Contemporary Calgary’s Education Director. “Digital access extends our reach beyond our walls and operating hours.”
For many Calgarians, particularly newcomers to the city, cultural institutions provide important connection points to community. Ahmed Hassan, who moved to Calgary from Egypt four years ago and attended yesterday’s announcement, shared how Contemporary Calgary helped him feel connected to his new home.
“Art speaks a universal language,” Hassan told me. “Finding this place was finding a piece of home in Calgary.”
As our city continues to grow and diversify, institutions like Contemporary Calgary play an increasingly important role in fostering dialogue across cultural differences. The TD funding ensures these conversations can include more voices.
The planetarium building itself tells a story of transformation and renewal that mirrors Calgary’s ongoing evolution. What once showed visitors the stars now helps them see their world, and themselves, in new ways.
For information on Contemporary Calgary’s exhibitions and programming, including free admission days, visit their website. The next free day is scheduled for November 15.
