An Invitation and a Request for your Stories
- Posted by Holly Simon on June 9th, 2006
Calgary Arts Development is hosting a community forum (click for detailed info) as part of our Cultural Facilities Trends and Needs Analysis project.
Our early research validates our understanding that artistic production, performance, and innovation is literally bursting at the seams in every artistic discipline we can find, not only for arts organizations but for individual artists, as well. We need your story to help us build the case for the value of cultural spaces. At this point, we are using broad definitions of “cultural space.” We are loosely referring to spaces, both, as facilities / venues (public and privately owned) and public space (indoor and outdoor). And when we talk about “cultural,” we are referring to space where the arts happen in Calgary in any artistic discipline by arts organizations and individual practicing artists, emerging to established, community and professional, young and not so young, including ethno-cultural and First Nations communities.
It’s difficult to ignore the incredible growth in Calgary. We are thinking to the future and we ask you to consider the impact of the arts not only now, but in ten years or later. What types of spaces will best enable the arts to flourish in the future? What will further engage the citizens of Calgary to participate in the arts? What will enable long term stability and thought-provoking spontaneity? There is no simple solution, nor should there be. With opportunities abound and tremendous artistic potential, we have the momentum to move forward as a community in a very powerful way.
This Cultural Space research is intertwined with what we have learned this year through our festivals research and granting research. Cultural space is linked closely to other systems such as funding, access, awareness and partnerships. We are working concurrently on the broader framework of the arts in Calgary. One doesn’t exist autonomous of the others.
This is not the first, nor the last, time that you may engage us in conversation about space issues. We must keep the dialogue going and adapting to the rapidly changing cultural landscape in Calgary.
We look forward to seeing you on June 22nd and encourage you to share your thoughts on needs and trends for cultural space in Calgary.
Art Space
Storytellers have worked to build community in Calgary, across Alberta, and nationwide. We celebrate the oral tradition and honour the rich traditions of many cultures. Our meeting places are in cafes, community halls, cultural centres, museums, wherever people gather. Sometimes we feel isolated from the rest of the artistic community. We would like to mingle with other artists. We would love to be part of a cultural centre where people could gather in small listening circles and celebrate who they are. Storytelling is one of the most accessable art forms. All that is needed is a pithy tale on the tip of the tongue and a willing listener. We would like to see a cultural space that honours our local history and the people who have made it so fascinating. Perhaps that might mean building walls of sandstone or setting out circles of stones, making intimate spaces where story tellers and listeners could build deep relationships.