Ward 1 Candidate Information
All candidates were asked to respond to the following questions:
1. How do you experience the arts in Calgary? What are some of your recent experiences?
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2. What role do you see for the arts in building a strong, vibrant Calgary in the future?
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3. Other than in the municipal budget, how would you champion the arts in the community as a city councillor or as mayor - to funders, the business community, and constituents?
4. Given what you know about the importance of the arts in building a competitive, prosperous city and your position on public arts funding, please choose which of the following statements best aligns with your perspective:
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I believe a thriving, prosperous city must have a vibrant arts scene in order to succeed. The municipal government should prioritize finding strategic ways to increase investment in the arts sector.
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I believe Calgary currently has many important civic priorities, including the arts. Current municipal investment in the arts is sufficient and should be maintained at its current level.
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I believe the arts are a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have for Calgary. Calgary is facing a diverse range of challenges and it is not viable for municipal arts funding to remain at its current level.
Below are their responses verbatim, with no edits or omissions.
#1: I experience the arts in Calgary through our city’s vibrant local events, cultural hubs, and community-led initiatives. I regularly attend exhibitions at arts spaces like Contemporary Calgary and cSPACE King Edward, visit markets featuring local artisans, and support live performances at Arts Commons and Theatre Calgary. Recently, I attended a multicultural festival in Ward 1 that showcased local visual artists and youth performers — a powerful reminder of how art bridges our city’s diverse cultures and generations
#2: The arts are a cornerstone of a thriving city. They drive innovation, spark dialogue, and create shared spaces where residents can see their cultures reflected and celebrated. A strong arts sector attracts tourism, supports creative industries, and improves quality of life — all of which strengthen Calgary’s economy and community well-being. As we grow, integrating arts into public spaces, transit corridors, and community revitalization projects can help shape a city that feels welcoming, human, and inspiring.
#3: Beyond municipal funding, I would: Champion partnerships between arts organizations, local businesses, and schools to create new sponsorship and mentorship opportunities. Advocate to funders and the private sector by highlighting the arts as an engine for economic growth, job creation, and downtown revitalization. Build visibility by amplifying local artists through city communications, neighborhood events, and pop-up installations in underused spaces. Support accessible community grants so emerging and diverse artists can bring projects directly to their neighbourhoods, especially in the outer wards. In short, I would position the arts as a vital investment in Calgary’s cultural identity, economic future, and social cohesion — not an afterthought, but a pillar of city-building.
Statement Chosen:
I believe a thriving, prosperous city must have a vibrant arts scene in order to succeed. The municipal government should prioritize finding strategic ways to increase investment in the arts sector.
Cathy Jacobs has not yet completed the survey.
Kim Tyres
#1: At Communities First, we value the important role the arts play in enriching the lives of Calgarians. Members of our team have attended various local performances and festivals, and we’ve appreciated seeing the diversity of talent across the city. Some Communities First candidates are active board members and volunteers for local non-profit arts organizations. We support opportunities where communities come together through cultural and artistic events, whether at the local or city-wide level. Our experiences continue to shape our understanding of how the arts contribute to the overall vibrancy of Calgary.
Dan Oleson has not yet completed the survey.
Joanne (Joey) Nowak
#1: We [The Calgary Party] experience the arts in Calgary both as active supporters and engaged audience members. Members of our team have played leadership roles—professionally and as volunteers—in shaping the arts community, helping build platforms and spaces where creativity thrives. At the same time, we deeply value being part of the audience: attending Folk Fest, catching performances at Alberta Theatre Projects, enjoying Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra concerts, and visiting local exhibitions and galleries. We've also experienced the arts through family outings, sharing Calgary’s creative spirit with the next generation. From boardrooms to back rows, the arts have been a meaningful and multifaceted part of our lives in this city.
#2: The arts must be treated as foundational to Calgary’s future—not an afterthought. A truly vibrant, world-class city embeds arts and culture into its economic, civic, and community-building strategies. From drawing in tourism to supporting talent attraction and retention, the arts play a critical role in shaping Calgary’s identity and economic strength. A strong cultural scene helps fuel the hospitality industry, adds to our quality of life, and drives broader investment by making Calgary a more desirable place to live, work, and play. Culture contributes $5.3 billion annually to Alberta’s economy and creates over 53,000 jobs. While many artists face low wages, the broader impact of the sector is undeniable. Whether it’s Folk Fest bringing thousands to our parks, or local theatre and music scenes engaging Calgarians and newcomers alike, the arts are essential infrastructure for a future-focused city. If we want to attract global talent, keep young people here, and grow our local economy, investing in the arts isn’t optional—it’s strategic.
#3: As a mayor or city councillor, championing the arts goes far beyond budget lines — it’s about reframing the sector as a driver of economic, social, and civic growth. To funders and the business community, we would position arts and culture as essential to Calgary’s competitive edge that requires both public and private sector investment. . Culture contributes $5.3 billion annually to Alberta’s economy and supports over 53,000 jobs. A thriving arts scene is directly tied to tourism, hospitality, talent retention, and innovation. We would actively seek cross-sector partnerships that embed the arts into economic development, infrastructure projects, and placemaking strategies, treating artists as co-creators of Calgary’s future. We would encourage the business community to do their part, by investing in the arts, through sponsorships, philanthropy or engaging artists for their events. To constituents, we would highlight the lived experience: Calgarians engage in an average of 2.5 cultural activities each month. Arts are already a core part of people’s lives — whether through festivals, local theatre, music, or public art. We would champion grassroots arts initiatives, support activation of public spaces, and advocate for better access to affordable arts venues, including in underserved communities. Ultimately, we would use our platform to celebrate artists as builders of the city’s spirit, economy, and shared identity — and ensure their work is valued and visible across Calgary.
Statement Chosen:
I believe a thriving, prosperous city must have a vibrant arts scene in order to succeed. The municipal government should prioritize finding strategic ways to increase investment in the arts sector.
Shawna Easthope
Shawna Easthope has not yet completed the survey.
#2: We believe the arts contribute meaningfully to Calgary’s future by enhancing quality of life, supporting a strong sense of community, and helping define our identity as a city. A healthy arts sector can complement economic growth and civic engagement. It’s important that we continue to create space for the arts to grow in ways that align with community needs. Calgary’s creative sector will remain a valued part of our broader vision for a vibrant, livable city.
#3: Our approach would focus on supporting collaboration between communities, businesses, and local arts groups. Sitting members of Communities First voted in favour of funding for the Theatre Calgary re-development and the Glenbow Museum renovation as we understand that arts is critical to attracting people to move to Calgary. We believe there are opportunities to create more connections and explore partnerships that benefit everyone. Ensuring access, cutting unnecessary barriers, and encouraging innovation are ways we can help the arts flourish. We would aim to be strong advocates for the arts in conversations around city planning, economic development, and community building.
Statement Chosen:
I believe a thriving, prosperous city must have a vibrant arts scene in order to succeed. The municipal government should prioritize finding strategic ways to increase investment in the arts sector.