Calgary Arts Development serves as the city’s designated arts development authority, stewarding municipal investments in the arts to support hundreds of artists, collectives, and arts organizations in Calgary and Treaty 7 lands. Its mission emphasizes that the arts have the power to build vibrant, connected communities and empower residents to live creative lives.

Its funding programs span operating and project grants, future-focused grants, and grants specifically designed for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists and organizations—reflecting a commitment to inclusive support across the arts ecosystem.

Since 2021, Calgary Arts Development has expanded its role to include commissioning public art. This shift promotes transparency and community involvement, enabling artists to create meaningful works across the city and deepening public engagement with art in urban spaces.

As a community connector and incubator, the organization produces storytelling programs like “Living a Creative Life”, hosts awards, outreach projects, and a poet laureate initiative. These initiatives underscore its role as facilitator, champion, and opportunity-maker for the arts.

Equity is central to its strategic framework. The institution openly acknowledges historic inequities and commits to dismantling systemic bias—particularly against Indigenous, racialized, disability, LGBTQ2S+, and other communities—through inclusive policy-making, co-designed programs, and equity-driven investment.

Over time, community trust and municipal support have grown—a doubling of its operating budget enabled expansion of programs like the Original Peoples Investment Program (OPIP), co-designed with Indigenous advisory, marking a meaningful step in reconciliation through the arts.

Calgary Arts Development operates from a values-based framework and is a strategic partner in civic culture. Its work centers on equity, inclusion, accessibility, and community resilience, making the arts an integral part of city life.