Minister Tanya Fir Visits cSPACE Marda Loop: A Tour of Calgary’s Vibrant Creative Hub

Today, cSPACE Marda Loop is home to over 30 arts and culture organizations and creative entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration, creativity, and community engagement.  Minister Fir had the opportunity to hear directly from tenants about the invaluable role that the creative hub plays in supporting their work and businesses. She spoke with representatives from various creative disciplines, each sharing how cSPACE has positively impacted their growth and opportunities.

Leading the tour were Deeter Schurig, President + CEO of cSPACE Projects, and Greg Clark, Board Chair of cSPACE Projects, who provided insight into the transformation of the historic former King Edward School, once-closed and at risk of demolition, into a dynamic creative hub.

A Hub for Creativity and Collaboration

Deeter Schurig described cSPACE Marda Loop as an ecology of artists, cultural nonprofits, and creative entrepreneurs that all contribute to the vibrancy of our local community and the vitality of Alberta’s creative economy in meaningful ways.  

Minister Fir engaged with representatives from several tenant organizations during her visit, hearing impactful stories from the heart of the Marda Loop creative hub.

Pictured, left to right: Minister Tanya Fir, Anneke Forbes (fashion design), Andrea Brassart (Beautiful World Media, film + media), Ian Gregory (Feast Studio, design and print services), Precious De Leon (Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society, literary arts), Kriss Janik (Studio C, arts-integrated employment training), Jennifer Illanes (fibre arts), Jill Nuckles (Alberta Craft Gallery, arts + crafts), Deeter Schurig (President and CEO, cSPACE Projects), Greg Clark (Board Chair, cSPACE Projects).

Artists and organizations highlighted the significance of having an accessible, collaborative, and inspiring space to create and connect.

Precious DeLeon, Program Director for Community Engagement at the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS), emphasized the importance of cSPACE in fostering artistic exchange:

“Being a part of the cSPACE ecosystem has been invaluable to AWCS and the communities we serve. Our proximity to other artists and creative organizations makes it easier to collaborate and exchange knowledge. It’s also a hub where our members can learn, be in community with other writers and creatives, and freely explore their creative voice.”

Anneke Forbes, a fashion entrepreneur, shared how cSPACE has helped her business thrive:

“Being a cSPACE tenant has had an immeasurable positive impact on my business. The physical space, staff, and tenants have greatly increased brand awareness, introduced numerous clients who value high-quality, locally made fashion, enabled large-scale events, and supported the success that has allowed me to hire employees. Most importantly, it has given me a sense of belonging to a community that supports, collaborates with, and encourages me and my work. I am a grateful benefactor of the generosity of the cSPACE vision and believe these spaces are vital to our province’s culture.”

Andrea Brassart of Beautiful World Media spoke about how cSPACE supports filmmakers:

“Having a space in cSPACE has provided us with a unique opportunity to establish a base for filmmakers to collaborate, create new projects, and foster innovative ideas. It has been an incredible environment where we can work alongside amazing creative professionals.”

Looking Ahead

Leading up to our opening, a combined contribution of $5.33M from the Alberta Government’s Cultural Facility Enhancement Program, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and Historic Resources Foundation, along with Municipal Sustainability Initiative Funds and other government and private sector funding enabled this $37.5M project to come to life. As a result, Albertans will enjoy the transformed King Edward School as a revitalized heritage-designated landmark and cultural hub for generations to come.

cSPACE is proud to contribute to the Government of Alberta’s focus towards 

• investing in Alberta’s cultural and heritage sites; 
• prioritizing Alberta artists, art, and cultural materials; 
• engaging with members of Alberta’s Francophone and LGBTQ+ communities, and
• growing Alberta’s cultural industries, Alberta-made productions and supporting Alberta producers and companies in developing Alberta content. 

cSPACE Projects would like to express a deep gratitude for Minister Fir’s visit and her continued support of Alberta’s creative culture sector, underscoring the importance of investing in cultural and heritage sites to sustain a vibrant creative industry ecosystem.

As we flourish and gather in our creative hubs, we will continue to showcase a diversity of inspiring artists, designers and makers that encapsulate these priorities. cSPACE Projects looks ahead to more opportunities to develop similar sites, and visits like this reinforce the essential role of creative spaces in strengthening Alberta’s cultural landscape.

Photo collage, clockwise left to right: 1st photo, Greg Clark, Deeter Schurig, Minister Fir in front of public artwork After Image. 2nd photo, Andrea Brassart and Minister Fir; 3rd photo, Minister Fir models a blazer from Anneke Forbes; 4th photo, Deeter Schurig and Minister Fir look up at public artwork Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow; 5th photo, Ian Gregory of Feast Studio demonstrates a hand cranked printing press. 

Photo left; Minister of Arts, Culture and the Status of Women Tanya Fir (2nd from left) on the steps of cSPACE Marda Loop. Former Alderman John Mar (centre) and his father Allan (far left) join the Minister on a tour with President + CEO Deeter Schurig (2nd from right) and Board Chair Greg Clark (far right).