Arts Commons Transformation is a comprehensive project aimed at expanding and modernizing Calgary’s premier performing arts centre. It represents a groundbreaking investment in Calgary’s cultural and artistic landscape, designed to enhance accessibility and community engagement through art. Learn more about this ambitious initiative on calgary-trend.
About the Project
Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) is a key component of a broader revitalization plan for downtown Calgary. This initiative involves not just expanding and upgrading the city’s main performing arts centre but also reimagining Arts Commons and revitalizing Olympic Plaza. The project has been significantly supported by a philanthropic contribution of $75 million from Calgary resident Dave Werklund and his family—the largest donation to the performing arts in Canadian history.
ACT aims to redefine what a modern arts centre can be, combining art, education, social enterprise, and community dialogue. It envisions a vibrant, accessible, safe, and welcoming space where people can celebrate cultural identity, enhance social cohesion, and enrich the lives of Calgarians. This transformation will create a new urban arts district, reinforcing Calgary’s cultural identity.
Philanthropic Contribution
Dave Werklund and his family have played a pivotal role in this project. As a successful entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry, Werklund turned his achievements into opportunities for youth education through the Werklund Foundation and the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education. Their generous donation underscores the importance of the arts in community and personal development.
The design and planning of ACT were spearheaded by Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) in partnership with Arts Commons and The City of Calgary. After two years of planning, a design for the new building was unveiled, featuring a 1,000-seat theatre and a 200-seat studio theatre. The first phase of this $660 million project marks a significant leap forward for Calgary’s arts scene.
Construction began in early 2022 with input from world-renowned architects and designers, including KPMB Architects from Toronto, Hindle Architects from Calgary, and Tawaw Architecture Collective from Arizona. To ensure inclusivity, an accessibility consultant was integrated into the design process. Features such as ground-level entrances and accessible seating near central elevators eliminate barriers for audiences.
The result, revealed in 2024, is a three-level structure with 162,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities, poised to elevate Calgary’s artistic community.
The second phase involves renovating the existing Arts Commons facility to integrate modern technologies and amenities, further enhancing accessibility and functionality.
Funding
The project’s total cost of $660 million includes the expansion and modernization of Arts Commons and the transformation of Olympic Plaza.
- The City of Calgary and CMLC’s Community Revitalization Levy have committed $270 million to Arts Commons’ expansion.
- Calgary’s municipal budget allocated an additional $40 million for downtown revitalization from 2023–2026.
- The Alberta government has pledged $103 million to realize the campus’s broader vision.
Construction is set to begin in late 2024, with the relocation of the Famous Five sculpture and Parks Depot. The official opening is scheduled for 2028–2029.
Olympic Plaza Revitalization
As part of the ACT project, the outdated Olympic Plaza will also undergo significant transformation. Built for the 1988 Winter Olympics medal ceremonies, the plaza has since become a venue for special events and festivals, as well as a popular lunchtime spot for Calgarians.
The revitalized plaza will serve as a dynamic gathering space dedicated to the arts, integrated into the Arts Commons campus. It will host free public events such as yoga classes, cultural festivals, and live music performances, creating a vibrant cultural hub.
