Prairie Art Network Institute 2025
Photos by Taleesha Mahe
I recently spoke at the “DIY SPACES AND ARTIST-RUN CENTRES IN CALGARY SINCE THE 1970S” panel at AUArts for the Prairie Art Institute with eva birhanu and Caitlind r.c. Brown moderated by Mell Edwards.
“Calgary's artist-run centre movement, which emerged in the 1970s, has established itself as a cornerstone of local cultural production and a significant node within Canada's national network of artist-run centres. These grassroots organizations have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, evolving over five decades while maintaining their foundational commitment to artist-centred programming and community engagement. This panel brings together current and former leaders of Calgary's artist-run centres to examine the historical trajectory of these institutions, analyze contemporary operational challenges, and articulate future directions for sustainable cultural practice. Through their collective expertise, panellists will illuminate how these spaces have fundamentally transformed Calgary's cultural ecology and contributed to broader discourses within Canadian contemporary art.
The discussion will address the ongoing significance of artist-run centres as sites of cultural innovation, their role in fostering emerging artistic voices, and their capacity to respond to evolving community needs while navigating persistent funding pressures and changing urban landscapes. This panel will offer critical insights into the intersection of cultural policy, artistic practice, and community development within Western Canada's cultural sector.“ - Excerpt from Conference Package
“Calgary's artist-run centre movement, which emerged in the 1970s, has established itself as a cornerstone of local cultural production and a significant node within Canada's national network of artist-run centres. These grassroots organizations have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, evolving over five decades while maintaining their foundational commitment to artist-centred programming and community engagement. This panel brings together current and former leaders of Calgary's artist-run centres to examine the historical trajectory of these institutions, analyze contemporary operational challenges, and articulate future directions for sustainable cultural practice. Through their collective expertise, panellists will illuminate how these spaces have fundamentally transformed Calgary's cultural ecology and contributed to broader discourses within Canadian contemporary art.
The discussion will address the ongoing significance of artist-run centres as sites of cultural innovation, their role in fostering emerging artistic voices, and their capacity to respond to evolving community needs while navigating persistent funding pressures and changing urban landscapes. This panel will offer critical insights into the intersection of cultural policy, artistic practice, and community development within Western Canada's cultural sector.“ - Excerpt from Conference Package