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The world will call it iconic. Calgary will call it home.

Founded in 1985 when the population of Calgary was less than half of what it is today, Arts Commons is Western Canada’s largest performing arts centre and a pivotal driver of Calgary’s future. As our city embraces its future as a centre of innovation and creativity, Arts Commons is evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly global community through the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) project, the largest cultural infrastructure project in Canada.

ACT is part of a comprehensive investment in Calgary’s downtown core that will do far more than expand and modernize Calgary’s premier performing arts centre — it will revitalize our downtown through both the Arts Commons Transformation Project and the Olympic Plaza Transformation, fundamentally changing the way people perceive, experience, and talk about the arts.

While the Arts Commons Transformation was inspired by demand for more — and more diverse — performing arts venues and programs, the project vision is centered on transforming the arts and cultural psyche of Calgary’s residents and visitors by enhancing our city’s cultural identity. In every detail of its design, programming and operations, the new Arts Commons will reflect a fierce determination to make the arts available and accessible to all. Even before its completion, ACT will generate an economic ripple effect across our city, support a booming creative sector across our province, and establish Calgary as one of North America’s leading cultural hubs.

Learn more about the project and the positive impact it will have on our city.

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

~ The Honourable Doug Black, Canadian Senator