Cultural Plan for Calgary

Cultural Plan for Calgary

Arts and culture make Calgary a great place to live and visit. They strengthen Calgary’s economy, build social ties and improve quality of life. Calgary’s arts and culture scene is diverse and dynamic, offering year-round opportunities to create and enjoy. There’s something for everyone to discover.

What is the Cultural Plan for Calgary?

The Cultural Plan is Calgary’s 10-year action plan for planning the city’s cultural resources.

The first edition of the plan was published in 2016 and outlined a shared vision for how Calgarians wanted the culture to shift between 2016 and 2025.

  • Over 800 Calgarians contributed through interviews, focus groups, community events and surveys.
  • Engagement included cross-departmental workshops, a cultural forum and other collaborative efforts.

Now, the Cultural Plan is evolving with an updated version for 2026-2035, which will set a new vision for the next decade. Stay tuned for more details as this project progresses throughout 2025.

What does the Cultural Plan mean for me?

  • As a cultural organization

    Having a Cultural Plan in Calgary creates more opportunities for cultural organizations to collaborate, enhance creative disciplines and cultural identities, share their heritage, and shape the city’s cultural landscape. It fosters inclusion, strengthens community connections and ensures diverse voices are heard in shaping Calgary’s future.

  • As a Calgarian

    Having a Cultural Plan in Calgary strengthens the connection between those who participate in arts and culture opportunities and the artists, organizations and groups that bring them to life. Whether you're an audience member, eventgoer, gallery visitor or someone exploring a heritage site, this plan enhances your access to the city's rich arts and culture scene.

  • As an artist or arts organization

    Having a Cultural Plan in Calgary helps unify the vision for the arts sector, shaping a shared direction for the future of arts and culture in the city.

Strategic focus

The City of Calgary is working with community partners to implement the Cultural Plan’s vision for making Calgary a culturally vibrant city.

  • Maximize Calgary’s diversity advantage

  • Grow Calgary’s cultural sector and creative industries

  • Activate culturally vibrant neighbourhoods and districts

  • Reinvigorate centre city as the cultural heart of the city

  • Conserve and celebrate Calgary’s built, natural and Indigenous heritage

How does the Cultural Plan connect to the Civic Arts Policy?

The Cultural Plan is closely connected to The City of Calgary’s Civic Arts Policy, which is being updated in 2025:

  • Civic Arts Policy: The updated policy will provide a foundation that clarifies the value of arts and culture in Calgary, how The City supports the arts, and best practices for funding recipients.
  • Cultural Plan for Calgary (2026-2035): The Cultural Plan will turn the Civic Arts Policy into action.

In collaboration with the Cultural Leadership Council

The Cultural Leadership Council (CLC) oversees and tracks the implementation of the Cultural Plan. This group is made up of leaders representing civic, business, cultural, education and other crucial sectors.

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