Ward 4 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?

2. What role do you see for the arts in building a strong, vibrant Calgary in the future?

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:

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.
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.
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.

D.J. Kelly

John Grant Barron

#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.

John Grant Barron has not yet completed the survey.

Sheldon Yakiwchuk

#1: I experience the arts in Calgary through a deep appreciation for the many forms it takes in our city, from public beautification projects that turn everyday spaces into works of art, to the vibrant grassroots performances that bring our neighborhoods to life. One of my greatest joys has been supporting my granddaughters in their creative pursuits. Whether it's always ensuring a full box of art supplies, music that helps move them to dance and through their participation with school based projects. I also make a point of supporting community-led arts initiatives through our local community centres and businesses that provide space for music, theatre, and cultural expression. Currently I am working on a project to celebrate the efforts with the Brentwood Community Association working to revive energy and pride that they’d put into the Brentwood Walkway Mural Project as well as will be working with a local Dance Studio to highlight their spirit that they bring to the community. Calgary’s artistic spirit is everywhere if you take the time to look and it’s something I’m proud to support.

#2: The arts play a vital role in building a strong and vibrant Calgary because they celebrate who we are—both individually and as a community. Whether through public murals, music, theatre, or dance, the arts create spaces where people connect, express themselves, and share their stories. Just like athleticism, artistic expression builds discipline, identity, and community pride. Both bring people together in celebration, foster collaboration, and inspire the next generation to explore their talents. I see the arts not as separate from other community strengths, but as part of a greater ecosystem that includes sports, culture, and shared public spaces all working together to foster a city that’s resilient, inclusive, and alive with energy. As Calgary continues to grow, supporting the arts will be key in ensuring our communities remain rich in culture, creativity, and connection.

#3: Beyond the municipal budget, I would champion the arts by promoting and supporting the incredible work already being done in our communities. I’ve seen firsthand how local businesses like Haven House uplift local artists—such as through the video they produced to highlight artistic expression and community connection [link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMF3wNJY4Pg]. These are powerful examples of how the private sector can play a vital role in celebrating and sustaining the arts. As a councillor, I would work to build more of these partnerships by connecting arts initiatives to local businesses, funders, and community spaces like the YMCA, which already supports cultural programming including performances like The Nutcracker. I’ve also engaged with organizations like Turner Dance Works and the Beddington Theatre Arts Centre and will be working to raise awareness and promote opportunities for community involvement. Calgary’s creative energy is part of what makes our city great, and I’m committed to championing that spirit, so every resident feels empowered to participate, express, and connect through the arts.