For approximately the last two years, The Calgary Public Art Alliance had advocated for the public art program to stay within the City, where, although changes were certainly needed, a civic program was critical to the integration of artists working in the public realm. We questioned the lack of involvement by the Calgary arts community in the decision-making processes. The City has stated in the past, and in today's announcement, that this move will reduce barriers for the local arts community, increase transparency for citizens, and increase investment in the local "creative economy." We will remain passionately engaged throughout this transition process to understand how the move will uphold the commitments made that justified this decision.
We have consistently advocated and will continue to advocate for the importance of the involvement of artists and arts workers in this transition, for a visionary program that is ambitious and responsive to our contemporary context, and a public art program that initiates and engages in meaningful dialogues for Calgarians.
We remain hopeful about the future of public art in Calgary, and as such, over the coming days and weeks, the Public Art Alliance will share some broad ambitions and statements about our hopes for what art in the public realm can be in Calgary. We look forward to sharing these and hearing from you.
