Ward 9 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: As the BRZ ED on International Ave, I experience arts every time I travel 17 Ave SE as I have championed over 50 pieces of art on our Avenue over the past 25 years and have founded a number of art organizations and spaces.
#2: It is essential
#3: I would continue to support all arts and promote local artists and musicians through opportunities to connect with community. I would further advocate to provincial and federal funders wherever possible.
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: 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.


#1: Art is everywhere in Calgary. Whether I'm driving, walking or biking, I am constantly in connection with new and old forms of art. I love our ever-growing, diverse collection of murals all over the city. I often drive past "the world's tallest mural" at First on Tenth by DAIM and Bump. It's amazing to think there's nothing quite like it in the world! Our urban parks and community gardens feel like art to me. I love the light tree under the Fourth Street overpass, at Memorial Drive and Edmonton Trail. We have so many opportunities to engage with design. The renovations to St. Patrick's Island are artful, and I enjoy walking through and seeing how Calgarians use these spaces. I recently went to a concert at Jack Singer to see "The Lark Ascending" with Canadian conductor Naomi Woo, performed by violinist Anna Stube, this season’s MacLachlan/Ridge Emerging Artist. The Phil brings out such a diverse crowd of people, it is always a special treat! It's worth noting that I participate in sharing art with Calgary, through my business Murphy's Mid-Century - where I restore and sell original pieces of design from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. We also showcase artists from across Canada, but especially Calgary.
Gar Gar has not yet completed the survey.
#2: As Calgary grows, I would like to see more art everywhere. Not just large-scale sculptures and paintings, but in small ways too. In Inglewood, a collection of enthusiastic needle artists "yarn bombed" the neighbourhood, bringing colourful and textural elements to unexpected places on every street and corner. I love this, it feels unique to Inglewood. International Avenue has seen many new art installations, and let's not forget all those wonderful original neon signs! Reminding us of a playful bygone era in advertising. It would be amazing to see them come to life again and light up the nights in one of our most diverse culinary and cultural areas. Local and community-based art can help to define the unique nature of our different communities because it comes from within those spaces. Art of all kinds will help us as we look to define our future.
#3: There are incredible efforts being made to support our music community right now. East Town Get Down is coming up, this is a music festival that will see a number of small businesses on International Avenue host a variety of artists of different genres. These are everything from bowling allies to restaurants. It's a fantastic example of community coming together through art for a mutual benefit. As Councillor for Ward 9, I would work to expand on these kinds of efforts. I would like to see "Music Mile" grow and become something mutually beneficial to the businesses along 9th Avenue. Ward 9 has a wonderful history of smaller, music focused venues and I would like to support bringing that energy back to life. Ward 9 has 3 large BIAs (Business Improvement Areas) and these incredible organizations already do a lot to bring arts and culture to our communities. I would like to actively work to support them and these efforts. Where there are no formal BIAs there are networks of small businesses, and they could use our support as well.
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.

Shirley Parungao has not yet completed the survey.

#1: I experience the arts in Calgary through direct involvement in locally based design. My work connects me with artists and makers that blend creativity with civic life. I am involved with shows, art installations and promoting locally made products. These experiences have shown me how design isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about storytelling, accessibility, and community identity.
#2: I’m all for promoting locally based artisans, makers, artists, and designers — they’re the ones who truly shape Calgary’s identity. Their work reflects our stories, our diversity, and our sense of place. Investing in local talent isn’t just good for the economy; it builds pride, belonging, and a city that feels alive and uniquely ours. If we want a vibrant future for Calgary, we need to elevate the people who are already creating it, one project, one show, one mural, and one idea at a time.
#3: Beyond the municipal budget, I would champion the arts by actively building partnerships between artists, funders, and the business community. That means promoting creative placemaking, integrating art into infrastructure projects, and encouraging private investment in public art. I’d work to ensure artists have a seat at the table in planning and development discussions, and I’d highlight the economic and social value of the arts when speaking with funders and businesses. To constituents, I’d amplify local talent, support events that bring art into everyday spaces, and ensure the arts are seen as essential — not extra — in building a strong, inclusive 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.