Culture in Chinatown
Culture in Chinatown
Calgary’s Chinatown is a unique neighbourhood with a meaningful culture for its residents and all Calgarians. Shaped by a long and difficult history, Chinatown reflects the Chinese people’s history, struggles, achievements, and values.
The Chinatown community has been the leading voice in its desire to see new initiatives in the neighbourhood anchored in its culture, with development approached respectfully and through a cultural lens.
Read the in-depth history of Chinese settlement in Calgary.
Planning a visit to Chinatown? Start by visiting this page.
Chinatown Cultural Plan
Created as part of The City’s Tomorrow’s Chinatown program, the Chinatown Cultural Plan identifies ways to recognize Chinatown’s history, honour its people and culture, and welcome visitors and newcomers. It is the first neighbourhood-specific cultural plan in Calgary and builds on the Cultural Plan for Calgary.
Funding and support for Chinatown cultural initiatives
The City supports cultural activations in Chinatown with funding, how-to resources and information on planning events, arts and culture programming, and other initiatives to enhance Chinatown’s cultural vibrancy.
Chinatown activation microgrant
Through the Chinese Immigration Act centenary microgrant, up to $2,000 in funding is available to individuals, community groups, businesses, nonprofits, cultural and social groups to activate Chinatown through cultural activity. If you have a project idea that invests in cultural education, invests in the younger population or offers hands-on learning, let’s talk about how we can help bring your idea to life.
Other funding and resources
Public art in Chinatown
The focus of the Chinatown Public Art Plan Project, led by Calgary Arts Development, is to engage with the community and gather information to help inform the future of public art in Chinatown.
Recent public art projects in Chinatown
Connect with us
We’re here to support the Chinatown community’s leading role in advancing the Cultural Plan’s strategies and actions. If you have an idea that fits within the Plan, we can answer questions you have about bringing your idea to life. Email chinatown@calgary.ca for more information.
Cultural Resource Map
Developed alongside the Chinatown Cultural Plan, the Chinatown Cultural Resource Map is an online platform where the community’s stories unfold and are pieced together. Visit the map to learn about the people, places and culture of this important neighbourhood.