Cultural Locations

It’s culture that gives colour to a place; it’s the underlying current that everyone can taste and feel.

Select a location:

Seafood Market

Seafood to Studios

The East Village Seafood Market, once a symbol of retail prosperity in East Village, went from empty derelict to buzzing creative hive in summer 2010. Fourteen studios were carved into the 24,000 sq.ft. space and 51 artists used the building for writing, filming, painting, potting and performance. The project wrapped up in July 2012 and was applauded for providing temporary arts space to local artists. The program was in conjunction with master developer CMLC and the Calgary Arts Development Authority.

Calgary Central Library

Modern Library

Announced in July 2011, the new central library is to be located directly east of City Hall, virtually across the street from EV’s western boundary. Potentially part of a new ‘cultural campus’ the project is in initial concepting stages. Watch the News & Events space for more.

Public Art

A Part for Art

The East Village master plan and Area Redevelopment Plan consider public art as a key element of great public spaces, placemaking and community building. For this reason, international-class artistry is being woven into the fabric of East Village.

There are three main kinds of art initiatives:

  • Permanent installations that will become part of the fabric of East Village.
  • Curated spaces that will welcome exhibitions and installations that will change regularly.
  • Budding participation with Calgary’s art and cultural authorities.
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National Music Centre: a home for music

 

The National Music Centre, which broke ground in February, 2013, will be a cornerstone of culture in East Village and a home to both the history and future of music in Canada. The 160,000 square foot architectural marvel – which straddles 4th Street SE – incorporates the famed King Eddy hotel into a stunning design that is destined to become a city landmark. The evocative space will be a destination for visitors and Calgarians, boasting live music venues, bars and cafés, radio and recording studios, classrooms and artist-in-residence studios. The NMC will also house the country’s most impressive collection of instruments and memorabilia, including the Rolling Stones mobile recording studio and the Canadian Music and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame collections. 

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation has been involved with the NMC since 2008, when it issued a national expression of interest for ideas to transform the site of the King Edward, a historic hotel and legendary blues bar. The National Music Centre's vision for a project to amplify the love of music resonated with CMLC, which wanted a signature cultural development that would honour the history of the neighbourhood. The National Music Centre is a $150 million project that’s supported by the federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as corporate and private donations.