A step forward for the former Centennial Planetarium
Today marks an exciting step forward for the former Centennial Planetarium. Contemporary Calgary is the successful candidate in the Request for Expression of Interest process that sought ideas on arts, culture or heritage uses for the building.
Contemporary Calgary is the amalgamation of the Art Gallery of Calgary, the Institute for Modern and Contemporary Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art Calgary and its Expression of Interest proposed repurposing the vacant space into a public gallery for the visual arts.
This iconic building, located at 701 11 Street S.W., has heritage status as well as symbolic and historic value to Calgarians.
“We are excited to work with Contemporary Calgary to begin to explore the possibilities of transforming the Planetarium into a future art gallery,” says Manager of Culture with City Recreation, Sarah Iley. “In the upcoming months, we will assess the proposal’s potential in greater detail.”
Contemporary Calgary is undergoing a reorganization to integrate its predecessor entities into a single organization with a sustainable operating model. This process is expected to take some time. In the meantime, Administration will explore interim cultural uses for the facility and bring recommendations back to Council.
The arts are vital to the health of our city and communities. A strong arts and culture sector stimulates creativity and vibrancy, enhancing the quality of life in Calgary and is an essential element in creating complete communities.
“A sign of a great city is the strength of its cultural life. This Expression of Interest from Contemporary Calgary has the potential to enhance the diversity of arts and culture offerings for Calgarians, the community livability for downtown residents and the world-class experience we deliver to visitors,” says Iley.
The Centennial Planetarium, completed in 1967, was Calgary’s official project to mark the centenary of Canadian Confederation. It later served as Calgary’s Science Centre from the 1980s until the TELUS World of Science vacated the building in 2011. Because of its cultural and historic significance to Calgarians, it is hoped the facility will serve the community for years to come as a key recreational resource and cultural space.
The timeline for repurposing the Planetarium will be determined as part of the negotiations with Contemporary Calgary.
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