Ward 3 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: My Daughter and her High School Concert Choir were invited to sing at the Mayor’s Celebration for the Arts event which was an amazing showcase of Calgary’s artists. I loved the variety of visual and musical talents we have in this city!
#2: I truly think the arts inspires our communities. Last year our Nose Creek Preservation Society were successful in getting a micro-grant for a community mural in Coventry Hills. It was a full year process in getting approval and took about a week to paint the mural. I think the moment I realized the power of art was when I was driving by our mural with my toddler aged niece and nephew. The kids, without prompting, raved about the colours and how cool it was! A drab wall transformed by art inspired 2 kids! We definitely need more of this inspiration in my Ward!
#3: As someone who lives in Ward 3 we definitely could use more arts venues. Over the years our kids have been able to utilize programs at North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre and Storybook Theatre. I would love to have arts spaces like these in our Ward 3. We have a lack of venues for music, theatre and collaboration. At the doors I met a senior who is looking for local programming, but is forced to find these spaces outside our ward, through long transit rides. Travel which is challenging at her age. I hope that if I am successful in earning the votes in Ward 3 that my term can help facilitate an art’s revitalization in our local communities.
Atul Chauhan has not yet completed the survey.
Christy Edwards has not yet completed the survey.
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.
#1: The arts have shaped my life in Calgary. For decades, I have been involved in cultural folk dance, and today I run a dance academy where I teach as an instructor and mentor the next generation. Watching young people step onto the stage with confidence and pride in their culture has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Through the academy, I’ve seen how the arts bring families together, connect newcomers to their roots, and share our stories with the wider Calgary community. I’ve also experienced the arts as a parent, cheering my children in school plays and cultural shows, and as a neighbour, attending festivals like GlobalFest that celebrate the diversity of our city.
#2: The arts have been part of my life for over 30 years. Through my dance academy, I have taught and mentored young people, helping them find pride in their culture and confidence on stage. Watching a child step out in front of an audience for the first time reminds me that the arts are about more than performance. They are about belonging. As Calgary looks to the future, the arts will play a central role in building a strong and vibrant city. They bring families together, connect newcomers to their roots, and give every generation a way to share their stories. I have seen this in community halls, on festival stages, and in the classrooms where my children performed their first plays. A growing city needs more than homes and roads. It needs spaces where people can connect, heal, and celebrate who they are. The arts give us that, and they are part of what will keep Calgary a city that people are proud to call home.
#3: For me, championing the arts begins with telling the story of why they matter. I know this because I have run a dance academy and taught cultural folk dance for decades. As a councillor, I would be an advocate beyond the municipal budget. With funders and the business community, I would show that investing in the arts also means investing in our economy, tourism, and quality of life. Arts events draw visitors, create jobs, and make Calgary a city where businesses want to be. With residents, I would remind people that the arts are not a luxury. They are part of everyday life in our neighbourhoods, from school performances to community murals to cultural festivals. By sharing that story, building partnerships, and showing both the economic and social value of the arts, I would make sure they have a stronger voice at every table. The arts are where Calgary’s spirit lives, and I will carry that message wherever it needs to be heard.
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.
Taran Dhillon has not yet completed the survey.
Rajesh Angral has not yet completed the survey.
#1: One of the things I love most about Calgary is how accessible creativity is — whether it's live theatre, poetry readings, mural festivals, or community arts programs. I’m someone who tries to engage with the arts at both the grassroots and institutional levels. Recently, I've attended events like the Ethnik Festival and local gallery openings, and I've loved seeing how cultural organizations bring people together across backgrounds. Even something as simple as public art in the LRT stations adds colour and reflection to my everyday life.
#2: Arts and culture are how we tell our story — and how we connect with each other as neighbours. A healthy arts sector doesn’t just make Calgary more interesting; it helps us retain talent, build community pride, and inspire future generations. Especially in a city that is working hard to diversify its economy and evolve its identity beyond oil and gas, the arts are an essential part of that transformation. They build bridges between people and contribute to mental health, economic vibrancy, and civic engagement.
#3: I believe city councillors need to be champions for Calgary’s creative sector in every room we're in — whether that’s advocating for corporate sponsorships, helping arts groups navigate red tape, or showing up in person at events and openings to demonstrate civic support. I would also love to encourage more collaboration between arts organizations and other sectors — including education, small business, and tech — to spark innovative partnerships. Sometimes what the arts need isn’t just money, it’s allies.
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.
Danny Ng has not yet completed the survey.