The City of Calgary and Contemporary Calgary Announce Lease Agreement, Paving Way for New Gallery in the Centennial Planetarium

The City of Calgary and Contemporary Calgary are pleased to announce a lease agreement has been reached, enabling a new world-class gallery for modern and contemporary art to be opened in the Centennial Planetarium in 2019.

“This agreement is excellent news for Calgarians and our cultural sector. Our Centennial Planetarium has significant historic and symbolic value to our citizens, and making it the home for Contemporary Calgary feels like a perfect fit. Thanks so much to my colleagues who have worked incredibly hard over the past years to make this happen. Together, we’re helping all Calgarians live a creative life,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

Over the past several months, The City and Contemporary Calgary have been negotiating lease provisions and working to confirm requirements for future improvements.

Contemporary Calgary has worked to amalgamate three longstanding Calgary art institutions: The Institute for Modern and Contemporary Art (IMCA), the Art Gallery of Calgary (AGC) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). With a sound financial footing, a strong board of directors and a clear vision for the organization, Contemporary Calgary will transform the Centennial Planetarium into an art gallery that will put Calgary on the map as a destination for the visual arts.

“We are excited to bring new life to the Planetarium—a place with historic significance and where Calgarians have a long history of going to learn, be challenged and inspired,” says Jay Mehr, Board Chair of Contemporary Calgary. “With the clear direction of our organization, the support and commitment from the City in this lease agreement, and the passion in the community to put Calgary on the map as a visual arts destination, we are turning vision into reality.”

Prior to Contemporary Calgary moving into the building, The City is performing a significant renovation to bring the planetarium into compliance with current building codes. The capital spend of $24.5 million is expected to be complete by December of this year. The renovation will support a new cultural space in the building and add to Calgary’s cultural infrastructure, while helping to re-vitalize the surrounding neighbourhood.

Please see our news release for full details.