Calgary Arts Development

05/29/2026

Last month, Sustainable Calgary released the seventh edition of its State of Our City report, marking the project’s 30th year of providing analysis of the social, economic and environmental issues facing Calgarians.

☀️ A bright spot in the report is the continued strength, vibrancy and diversity of the arts sector, which is rebounding from the pandemic years. The report includes arts attendance among its many indicators of community vitality.

Read the full report on Sustainable Calgary’s website at https://cada.at/4dNmUFH

05/28/2026

Go feel things this week. Hit up a night market, a punk show, local art sales, animated films made from creative accidents, a moon mobile workshop, author talks, open jam sessions and a beginner-friendly dance fitness session if your body is willing to negotiate. 💪

There are books to launch, makers to meet, music to hear and at least one event that promises not to be a quiet Sunday.

🔥 Get planning with the full list at the link in bio.

YYC What’s On brings you the best arts, culture, and family events in Calgary EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK.

Want to get this list first? Follow us ❤️

05/28/2026

Public art is on the move again with the launch of the 2026 Art Buses! 🚌

14 Calgary Transit buses have been wrapped in original artwork by seven local artists: Collins Amegah, Grant Little Mustache, Jae Sterling, Jillian Fleck, Kara Mains, Phoenix Ning and Sikapinakii Low Horn.

Running through November, the buses will travel across city routes, bringing public art into the everyday lives of Calgarians. Inside each bus, panels introduce the artists and share more of their work.

🔗 Learn more about the artists and their designs at https://cada.at/42UXqRX

05/26/2026

How does a wrestler tell a story before they throw a punch? Raj Singh is helping carry Calgary’s wrestling legacy into a new era by training the next generation at Stampede City Wrestling Academy, blending old-school foundations with the fast-paced, attention-grabbing style wrestling demands now.

He works with students on their character work, how they present themselves without doing moves, and how they get the fan’s attention before the action even starts.

Are you telling a joke?
Are you beating somebody up?
Are you expressing yourself through your body?
How do you sell the injuries?

Join Adora as Raj shows her how to craft and perform her own wrestling promo, discovering the theatricality, charisma, and storytelling that have made professional wrestling such a powerful cultural force. 🤼‍♀️

Watch the full story of crafting wrestling personas at our link in bio. ⚡️

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Living a Creative Life isn’t just a series, it’s a love letter to the thousands of Calgarians turning everyday life into art.

Each episode pulls you inside the minds and studios of creators whose work will leave you rethinking what’s possible.

A film by

05/26/2026

In partnership with PATTISON Outdoor Advertising, The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) presented by TD is pleased to announce an exciting public art initiative: LandMarks! The project will showcase the artworks of 10 artists with disabilities from Treaty 7 / Calgary area on billboards and other public advertising platforms across Canada in Fall 2026.

This opportunity is open to artists from the Treaty 7/ Calgary area who identify as having a developmental, physical, and/or acquired disability.

Submissions are open until July 13, 2026 at 5:00pm MDT. Link in bio for details on how to submit your application!

05/25/2026

Learn more about the Chinatown Public Art Plan: https://chinatownpublicartplan.com/

On Thursday the Calgary Arts Development Board announced their Chinatown Public Art plan.

As a member of the CADA board and a Chinese Canadian, I am very glad to see a longterm vision for public art in Chinatown that is based on meaningful community engagement and deep rooted in Chinatown’s important history.

05/25/2026

The Chinatown Public Art Plan is here!

Last week, we celebrated the launch of the plan alongside community members, artists, residents, business owners and many of the people who helped shape this work over the past 18 months.

Developed through extensive community engagement, the plan outlines a long-term vision for public art in Calgary’s Chinatown. It identifies key priorities including cultural identity, community connection, youth engagement and space for future-focused work.

This is a shared roadmap to help guide future public art in the neighbourhood.

Read the full plan at https://chinatownpublicartplan.com/

05/22/2026

05/21/2026

Sunset house music, wild new exhibitions, park hangs and powwow? Oh yes, Calgary understood the assignment this week.

There are new exhibitions opening, writers reading fresh work, musicians jamming in open circles, artists live-painting, dancers gathering for powwow, markets full of local makers, classical music with a video game twist and a park party built for blankets, friends, kids, dogs and food trucks. 💕🌭

A little weird. A little beautiful. Very, very, VERY worth poking your head into.

And that’s not even the whole list. See this week’s full free arts and culture roundup at the link in bio. 🔥

YYC What’s On brings you the best arts, culture, and family events in Calgary EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK.

Want to get this list first? Follow us ❤️

05/21/2026

We’re excited to share that the Music Cities Convention (MCC) is coming to Calgary from September 29 to October 1, 2026.

MCC brings together professionals working across music, policy, and city-building for focused conversations, knowledge exchange, and global perspectives on how music shapes local economies and communities.

As Alberta marks the announcement of the Music Action Plan, we're offering a limited-time ticket rate of $149 CAD, available until May 14, 2026.

You can also explore a first look at confirmed international speakers at the link below.

Learn more and secure your tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/musiccitiesevents/1961861

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the global conversation on music and cities.