Purpose

We believe that art is essential.

Contemporary Calgary exists to create a place of wonder and belonging where everyone is invited to imagine, learn, and understand one another and the world we share, through the power of contemporary art.

Mandate

Contemporary Calgary is a non-collecting public art gallery, presenting local, national and international contemporary art in all its forms. Exhibitions, public programs, educational activities, and multi-disciplinary collaborations deepen the exploration of contemporary art and engage audiences in conversations around current ideas.

Values

Welcoming

Contemporary art is for everyone. We aim to create a space that is free of physical, social, and financial barriers to ensure everyone can see themselves reflected at Contemporary Calgary. 

Engaging

Our exhibitions, public programs and educational activities consider audiences as active participants in creating meaning, deepening our understanding, and shaping the community and world we live in. 

Relevant

Contemporary art offers ways to make sense of the world. Our exhibitions, programs and partnerships provide new lenses for generative conversations in our community, building a more thoughtful and inclusive global society.

Collaborative

We value dialogue and relationship-building in all aspects of our work. We believe in the power of partnerships and collaborations with artists and our extended community to grow audiences and the cultural life of the city and beyond.

Vision

As a growing organization, we aspire to:

• Be a global destination for contemporary art, building on the rich histories of this place to create new futures.

• Be a platform for innovation where artists come to create new work, experiment with evolving technologies and explore the unique possibilities provided by the bold architecture and inspiring history of our home, the former Centennial Planetarium.

• Be a place to which everyone in our community feels connected, a place that feels essential to their lives and worthy of their support.

• Provide artistic experiences that move people, affecting meaningful change and shaping new ways of thinking.