Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) Impact | Calgary Arts Development

Social & Economic Impact

In April 2021, the City of Calgary announced an allocation of $80M towards the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) project, as part of its Greater Downtown Plan. By aligning with the long-term strategic vision for Calgary and Alberta, ACT will contribute to the cultural fabric of Calgary to both attract talent and retain lifelong Calgarians. ACT will serve the needs of our growing city by creating additional space for community activations in the downtown core and by providing more functional space for the resident companies to grow and innovate.

ACT also provides the opportunity to lean into today’s unique challenges to invest in a better tomorrow, supporting the creative economy and the growing arts and culture workforce, and contributing to an economically diverse community by jump-starting both short and long-term job creation and economic activity.

ACT will have an immediate and positive impact on our economy during construction, including:

$424M contributed to Alberta’s GDP
$41M in Alberta Government revenues
3,454 jobs created in Alberta
$263M in Alberta labour income

Once ACT is complete, the expanded Arts Commons will continue to have a positive economic impact, including:

$59M contributed annually to Alberta’s GDP
$6M contributed annually to Alberta Government revenues
743 FTE jobs supported in Alberta
$37M in annual Alberta labour income

“Arts Commons is the beating heart of Calgary's downtown.”

~ The Honourable Doug Black, Canadian Senator

“Arts Commons will be a key contributor to the social, economic, cultural, and intellectual life and well-being of Calgarians and visitors alike, and an important building-block for the revitalization of the downtown core suffering.”

~ Former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

"Bringing back Alberta’s economic strength and attracting investment will require a complete community. That includes infrastructure as well as quality of life elements, like professional sports teams and of course a strong and vibrant arts and culture scene. These are all important pieces of making people and companies want to move to and stay in Calgary. The Arts Commons Transformation will enhance our ability to succeed while providing much needed capacity for citizens to enjoy performance arts."

~ Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation

"The quality of a community’s cultural infrastructure has a direct impact on quality of life and therefore, on the competitiveness of communities in attracting people and investment."

~ Canadian Council of Chief Executives

"CMLC is proud to be a partner on this project that is adding to the cultural identity of Calgary. We are confident the team will provide a design solution that improves the resiliency, accessibility and capacity of Arts Commons and that its experiences will be designed to meet the needs of the community for years to come."

~ Kate Thompson, President and CEO, CMLC

Social & Economic Impact

“Arts Commons is the beating heart of Calgary's downtown.” ​

“Arts Commons will be a key contributor to the social, economic, cultural, and intellectual life and well-being of Calgarians and visitors alike, and an important building-block for the revitalization of the downtown core suffering.” ​

"The quality of a community’s cultural infrastructure has a direct impact on quality of life and therefore, on the competitiveness ​of communities in attracting people ​and investment."

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“Arts Commons is the beating heart of Calgary's downtown.”

“Arts Commons will be a key contributor to the social, economic, cultural, and intellectual life and well-being of Calgarians and visitors alike, and an important building-block for the revitalization of the downtown core suffering.”

"The quality of a community’s cultural infrastructure has a direct impact on quality of life and therefore, on the competitiveness of communities in attracting people and investment."