Ward 6 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: The arts have always played a meaningful role in my life in Calgary. As a kid, I participated in summer camps and watched productions by Storybook Theatre, and that love of live performance has stuck with me into adulthood—I now enjoy going to Theatre Calgary productions with my whole family. I’m also a big fan of public art and have appreciated the work ActivateYYC has done to bring creative, community-driven projects to Ward 6. One personal highlight was helping coordinate the painting of a local utility box while I was Vice President of the Coach Hill Patterson Heights Community Association. That piece of public art still brightens my daily dog walks. As a former high school band percussionist, I was lucky enough to perform at the Jack Singer Concert Hall—an experience I’ll never forget. Today, I enjoy the occasional Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra performance; most recently, I attended their live score of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, which was a real treat. Arts and culture are part of what makes Calgary a vibrant and welcoming city, and I’m committed to seeing them continue to thrive.
#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 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.
#1: The arts have always been a deeply rooted part of my life. My mother was a pianist, and her love for music shaped my own journey—I took piano lessons as a child and played the clarinet in my school band. I’ve passed that same appreciation for the arts on to my children: my daughter studied classical violin, played in youth orchestras, and was a proud member of the Calgary Fiddlers; my son pursued both classical and flamenco guitar. For over 20 years, I’ve run my own small business, and one of my most meaningful and longstanding partnership has been with the The Calgary Fiddlers Association. I've had the privilege of supporting their work through operations management, fundraising, grant writing, and bookkeeping. The arts continue to enrich my life—I regularly attend concerts and festivals, with recent highlights including a Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra performance and a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Music Centre. Supporting and celebrating the arts isn't just a personal passion—it's a lifelong commitment.
#2: The arts are integral to building a strong, vibrant Calgary—economically, socially, and culturally. They foster innovation, strengthen community bonds, and shape the city's identity. We are fortunate to have an already burgeoning arts scene which assists with: 1. Economic Growth and Urban Revitalization Investments in arts infrastructure, such as the Arts Commons Transformation project, are revitalizing Calgary's downtown core. This $660 million initiative is set to modernize performance spaces, create jobs, and stimulate economic activity, reinforcing the arts as a catalyst for urban renewal and tourism . 2. Cultural Identity and Global Recognition Calgary's diverse arts scene, encompassing institutions like the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and events such as Beakerhead, positions the city as a global cultural hub. These platforms celebrate local talent and attract international attention, enhancing Calgary's reputation on the world stage . 3. Community Engagement and Inclusivity Arts initiatives promote inclusivity and community cohesion. Organizations like the Calgary Animated Objects Society engage diverse populations through creative expression, while Making Treaty 7 fosters understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories, contributing to a more inclusive city narrative . 4. Education and Youth Development Arts education programs nurture creativity and critical thinking among youth. The Calgary Fiddlers Association, for instance, provides young musicians with performance opportunities, fostering discipline and teamwork. Such programs are vital for developing future leaders and innovators. 5. Health and Well-being Participation in the arts has been linked to improved mental health and well-being. Community arts programs offer residents of all ages avenues for expression and connection, enhancing overall quality of life. 6. Film & TV Industry Growth Calgary is North America's 4th largest production hub and home to CIFF. This sector strengthens our local economy, creates jobs and attracts award-winning talent to the city. In summary, the arts are not merely an accessory to Calgary's development but a driving force that enriches the city's economy, culture, and social fabric.
#3: To Funders and Granting Bodies: Frame the arts as an investment, not an expense. Highlight ROI stats—arts organizations generate economic activity, create jobs, and increase tourism. Leverage success stories. Showcase programs like the Calgary Fiddlers, Arts Commons, or Studio Bell as proof of long-term community and cultural impact. Facilitate partnerships. Act as a connector between arts groups and public/private funders to help them access new grant opportunities and collaborative funding models. To the Business Community: Promote the arts as a driver of talent attraction and retention. A vibrant arts scene helps businesses recruit top talent who value livable, culturally rich cities. Encourage arts sponsorships. Incentivize businesses to sponsor festivals, local artists, and youth programs, positioning it as both corporate social responsibility and community marketing. Host joint events. Co-sponsor arts-business mixers to foster dialogue and identify co-branded opportunities for cultural investment. To Constituents: Be a visible supporter. Attend and promote local events, feature artists and arts organizations on social media, and publicly celebrate arts milestones. Show the link to community vitality. Explain how the arts contribute to mental health, civic pride and youth engagement. Support grassroots efforts. Advocate for access to low-barrier public spaces for art exhibits, performances, and community arts workshops.
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.
