Arts Advocacy Tool Kit
While most of our municipal election advocacy work will gear up in the Fall, Creative Calgary knows that candidates are working hard on their campaigns over the summer and we want voters like you to be ready to advocate for a strong arts sector when those candidates are out door-knocking. The more voters talk about the arts, the more investment in the arts will become a major election issue.
Let Your Voice Be Heard
Think about arts in your community and what matters most to you!
Make the arts an important part of the conversation for the upcoming election. Here are some examples and ideas of questions that you can ask mayoral and city council candidates in your area, to address arts-related issues in Calgary.
We encourage you to learn about the candidates running in your Ward and to get in touch with them directly through their websites and social media channels. You can find a full list of candidates on the City of Calgary website.
1. Did you know that The City of Calgary has a Cultural Plan? When you envision the Calgary you want to see in the future, how could some of your goals for the city be supported by a thriving arts sector?
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2. In March of 2021, Calgary Arts Development (CADA) was announced as the new operator for Calgary’s public art program, based around the City’s Corporate Public Art Policy. What would you like CADA to keep in mind as they transition into this role?
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3. What is your favourite way to engage with the arts in Calgary? Through your work on City Council, how will you increase accessibility to similar arts experiences for all Calgarians?
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4. In April of 2021, City Council approved Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan and an initial investment of $200M to support it (including $80M for Phase I of a transformation of Arts Commons). In your opinion, what investments should be made in Calgary’s downtown to ensure it becomes a dynamic centre city that’s vibrant 24/7?
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5. In 2021, the City of Calgary released The Guide for Local Area Planning (formerly known as the Guidebook for Great Communities). As communities redevelop over time, what planning changes could be made to better facilitate arts participation in neighbourhoods?