Over the past several years, Contemporary Calgary has proven that the arts make for stronger communities and greater civic engagement—outside of simply being an important part of the cultural landscape of the city.

New funding provided by the TD Ready Commitment program from TD Bank Group is helping to continue the work that Contemporary Calgary has been engaging in to reach youth, older Calgarians, and also undeserved communities in the city.

CEO of Contemporary Calgary, David Leinster, said that the $240,000 received by Contemporary Calgary on Nov. 6, was the second TD Ready Commitment grant that had been given to the gallery.

“It supports our educational programming through the direct support of an educational assistant and some facilitators who help bring some of our programming to community. So that includes school tours, our free Contemporary Kids program on Sundays. It includes some access with our 55+ program, and strategic collaborations in the community,” he said.

“It’s all about how do we help the community access the arts, and how do we reduce barriers to people finding opportunities to bring arts into their lives in some capacity. It’s been really it’s been really meaningful.”

An example of that has been the ability for the gallery to reach students through art programming offered to school groups, and through the free weekend workshops that remove financial barriers to children being engaged in the arts.

“To be able to offer additional opportunities for for kids in our community to access the arts and really to provide them a different way of thinking about the world around them, that’s part of what we’re doing here,” said Leinster.

“We’re having kids see these exhibitions and learn more, or be curious about what an artist might be saying or showing in their practice, and then offering opportunities for them to channel that into into different ways of expression, new forms of art making. It just allows them, I think, to explore and expand the possibilities of the way that we think about things around us.”

He said that exposure leads to life long art lovers but also breaks down the barriers within the city that exist that prevents people from different socio-economic backgrounds and geographic locations outside of the downtown core.

“We’ve had some schools who came from the northeast quadrant of the city, and when we asked the kids how many have you ever been to the gallery before, no hands come up. And how many of you spend a lot of time downtown, only a couple of hands go up,” said Leinster.

“You really get a get a sense of the fact that there are geographical barriers, and then among many other barriers, people just don’t know that these experience exists in their community. It’s not like the Field of Dreams ‘if you build it, they’ll come.’ No, you have to put some effort into sharing your program, showing up in other communities, and helping to reduce barriers by talking about what you’re offering.”

Funding reaches half million with new grant

He said that included offering free or low cost programming to Calgarians 55+.

“Art really brings people together, and we have really enjoyed the connection that is established in community when we offer programs that target, different groups. And again, it’s about creating access, creating community, and connection with your peers,” said Leinster.

“I think that’s really important especially when thinking about the 55+ community. There’s also isolation amongst that group, and providing a space to come together and to express and explore through your love of art and art making is now an incredibly valuable thing.”

The grant funding is set to continue to provide employment for three emerging art professionals through a full-time TD Educational Assistant position, and two part-time TD Educational Facilitators.

“My previous role as the TD Educational Coordinator was foundational to my career. Support from TD and Contemporary Calgary gave me the confidence and experience I needed to develop in my position,” said Yilu Xing, Educational Coordinator for Contemporary Calgary.

“Now, as a full-time employee here at Contemporary Calgary, it’s a deeply satisfying, full-circle moment to welcome the new Educational Assistant and Facilitators. I know firsthand the profound impact this opportunity will have on their careers and can’t wait to support them as they begin their own professional journeys.”

Robert Ghazal, Senior Vice President and Alberta Region Head for the TD Bank Group, said that the $240,000 grant built on the $260,00 given to Contemporary Calgary since 2020.

“We’re so proud to continue our relationship with Contemporary Calgary and help make inclusive visual arts programming more accessible for kids across our city,” he said.

“Through the TD Ready Commitment, our corporate citizenship platform, we’re supporting organizations focused on increasing arts and culture initiatives that reflect and amplify new, underrepresented and diverse voices.”