"Since its inception in 1978, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame has honoured individuals and groups who have made an outstanding contribution toward the greater international recognition of Canadian artists and music," said CARAS President & CEO Melanie Berry. "Now, together with the National Music Centre, we will work towards creating bricks-and-mortar locations to gather and exhibit important memorabilia that tell the stories of inductees and our collective musical heritage. It's very exciting."

Combined with the City of Calgary’s $25 million commitment earlier this year, the grants mean that NMC is now officially on its way to realization as it continues to seek private donations to complete the vision.

Just over two years ago, CMLC initiated a national campaign for new ideas to celebrate the colourful history of the King Eddy and rejuvenate the hotel. While that search uncovered some unique ideas, none fit the vision of East Village quite as well as the National Music Centre that Cantos envisioned.

The walls of the Seafood Market and the King Eddy Hotel both sport the work of one of western Canada’s leading visual artists, David Brunning, aka ‘The Kid Belo’.

CMLC first commissioned Calgary local Brunning to paint his largest mural to date on the east and south exteriors of the Seafood Market. Brunning took his inspiration from the East Village tagline, ‘Calgary’s newest, oldest, coolest, warmest neighbourhood.’