SPACEPILOT

MEANWHILE LEASE
MEANWHILE
LEASE
A C on its side comprised of an astronaut and other images.
Art by Cory Nespor

{ SPACEPILOT }

Connecting artists and creative entrepreneurs with underused commercial spaces to create in.

Calgary’s artistic community is embarking on an exciting journey, thanks to the innovative SPACEPILOT initiative by cSPACE Projects. With support from Calgary Arts Development (CADA) and the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF), this groundbreaking project fosters curated partnerships between commercial real estate professionals and not-for-profit organizations, with a focus on those operating in the creative economy.

Hear from our SPACEPILOTS.

In 2023, 43,000 square feet of downtown commercial space was filled by the SPACEPILOT initiative, supporting diverse arts groups in temporary leases and helping activate our vacant city core.

Towards the end of 2024, SPACEPILOT is activating close to 63,000 square feet, supporting such success stories as The Alcove Centre for the Arts, and One Big Jam. In October 2024, we celebrated our success so far. 

Hear what our current SPACEPILOTS have to say. 

“This pilot responds to the call…to help increase the vibrancy, livability, and viability of our city centres. The cSPACE Projects Meanwhile Lease SPACEPILOT re-imagines under-utilized real estate inventory with the inevitable pairing of artists and commercial real estate professionals. The cultural community, the real estate industry, and the public can only stand to benefit from this cross-sectoral connection.”

– Patti Morris Exceutive Director Alberta Real Estate Foundation

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If you are a non-profit arts & culture organization who needs space, or a building owner/operator who would like to learn more, please take a moment to complete the survey below.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Credits

Hero photo: Sean Dennie Photography
Video production: Bia Vasconcelos
SPACEPILOT graphic: Cory Nespor
SPACEPILOT report: Sean Dennie.

#thespacepilotyyc

This fateful Friday, the biggest names in the pro-wrestl— I mean, Improv Comedy game are facing off to find out who will win the belt in ⁠
⁠
💫CAGEMATCH 💫⁠
⁠
These C Train ridin`, Rocky Mountain climbin`, scene stealin`, sons of a gun have some of the best gags and gimmicks ready for audiences hungry for the smack down of the century.⁠
⁠
(Legal here. We do once again want to remind you that while this show is going to be great, there will not be any wrestling. Thanks.)
⁠
WHAT? There is only 1 more show left before the finale? What are you waiting for? Head to our website for tickets and prepare yourselves. OH YEAH.

15 2
Open
This fateful Friday, the biggest names in the pro-wrestl— I mean, Improv Comedy game are facing off to find out who will win the belt in ⁠ ⁠ 💫CAGEMATCH 💫⁠ ⁠ These C Train ridin', Rocky Mountain climbin', scene stealin', sons of a gun have some of the best gags and gimmicks ready for audiences hungry for the smack down of the century.⁠ ⁠ (Legal here. We do once again want to remind you that while this show is going to be great, there will not be any wrestling. Thanks.) ⁠ WHAT? There is only 1 more show left before the finale? What are you waiting for? Head to our website for tickets and prepare yourselves. OH YEAH.

Join us for Sundays Unplugged, where feature new experiments, new groups, and established improvisers continuing to push the boundaries of improv. This is the absolute cutting edge of improv creations. ⁠
⁠
April 6th: Kinkonauts Company Jam⁠
April 13th: Sarah Jessica Parkour and Murder Mystery⁠
April 20th: Calgary Improv School Student Showcase⁠
April 27th: Conservatory Showcase

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Join us for Sundays Unplugged, where feature new experiments, new groups, and established improvisers continuing to push the boundaries of improv. This is the absolute cutting edge of improv creations. ⁠ ⁠ April 6th: Kinkonauts Company Jam⁠ April 13th: Sarah Jessica Parkour and Murder Mystery⁠ April 20th: Calgary Improv School Student Showcase⁠ April 27th: Conservatory Showcase

EXHIBITION ANNOUCEMENT! ❣️

Real to Me

Christina Yao

April 12 to June 20.

Opening reception April 11th from 6-9pm. Light refreshments and snacks will be available! The artist will be in attendance and offering to take photos of visitors as a part of her ongoing studio practice.

Stride Gallery is excited to announce Christina Yao’s (cristinadass) Main Space exhibition ‘Real to Me’, opening on April 11th through June 20th. Please join us to celebrate the launch of our first studio resident exhibition.

What do we truly share? What belongs to us, and what remains just out of reach, in our relationships—whether with people, places, or memories?

Real to Me invites the viewer to reconsider how we perceive ourselves, the relationships we build, and how our relationship with ourselves impacts our bonds with others. It also encourages reflection on the ways in which we create meaning in our lives—through the stories we tell, the identities we perform, and the connections we forge.

Christina Yao is a China-born, multi-disciplinary artist based in Calgary, Canada, working in photography, video, installation, and curation. Having lived and worked in the U.S., Colombia, and Canada, her diverse cultural experiences have significantly influenced her creative practice. She recently completed her BDes in Photography (with Distinction) at the Alberta University of the Arts. Christina is also a finalist in the 2024 LensCulture Portrait Awards and exhibited her work in the Emerging Photographers Showcase at the 2024 Exposure Alberta Photo Festival. Her work has been showcased at ASC Studio (London, UK), Contemporary Calgary, The Marion Nicoll Gallery, TRUCK Contemporary Art, cSPACE, The Bows, and Arts Commons. Additionally, she curated a group exhibition featuring three BIPOC female artists at The New Gallery.

To read the full artist statement, visit our website through the link in our bio.

Our space is sponsored through the cSPACE Meanwhile Lease SPACEPILOT. SPACEPILOT finds vacant commercial real estate and re-purposes it to benefit all Calgarians through not-for-profit arts organizations. cspace.projects thespacepilotyyc #cspace #cspaceprojects #thespacepilotyyc

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EXHIBITION ANNOUCEMENT! ❣️ Real to Me Christina Yao April 12 to June 20. Opening reception April 11th from 6-9pm. Light refreshments and snacks will be available! The artist will be in attendance and offering to take photos of visitors as a part of her ongoing studio practice. Stride Gallery is excited to announce Christina Yao’s (cristinadass) Main Space exhibition ‘Real to Me’, opening on April 11th through June 20th. Please join us to celebrate the launch of our first studio resident exhibition. What do we truly share? What belongs to us, and what remains just out of reach, in our relationships—whether with people, places, or memories? Real to Me invites the viewer to reconsider how we perceive ourselves, the relationships we build, and how our relationship with ourselves impacts our bonds with others. It also encourages reflection on the ways in which we create meaning in our lives—through the stories we tell, the identities we perform, and the connections we forge. Christina Yao is a China-born, multi-disciplinary artist based in Calgary, Canada, working in photography, video, installation, and curation. Having lived and worked in the U.S., Colombia, and Canada, her diverse cultural experiences have significantly influenced her creative practice. She recently completed her BDes in Photography (with Distinction) at the Alberta University of the Arts. Christina is also a finalist in the 2024 LensCulture Portrait Awards and exhibited her work in the Emerging Photographers Showcase at the 2024 Exposure Alberta Photo Festival. Her work has been showcased at ASC Studio (London, UK), Contemporary Calgary, The Marion Nicoll Gallery, TRUCK Contemporary Art, cSPACE, The Bows, and Arts Commons. Additionally, she curated a group exhibition featuring three BIPOC female artists at The New Gallery. To read the full artist statement, visit our website through the link in our bio. Our space is sponsored through the cSPACE Meanwhile Lease SPACEPILOT. SPACEPILOT finds vacant commercial real estate and re-purposes it to benefit all Calgarians through not-for-profit arts organizations. cspace.projects thespacepilotyyc #cspace #cspaceprojects #thespacepilotyyc

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, improv fans of all ages, the moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived! It’s time for the ultimate showdown of wit, speed, and clever comebacks—💥CAGEMATCH💥!!!⁠
⁠
This Friday, and every Friday in April, get ready to witness the greatest improv teams in Calgary square off in a battle where anything can happen. Expect fast-paced, unpredictable, side-splitting action as these titans of comedy go head-to-head in a NO-HOLDS-BARRED contest of imagination and laughs!

15 1
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Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, improv fans of all ages, the moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived! It’s time for the ultimate showdown of wit, speed, and clever comebacks—💥CAGEMATCH💥!!!⁠ ⁠ This Friday, and every Friday in April, get ready to witness the greatest improv teams in Calgary square off in a battle where anything can happen. Expect fast-paced, unpredictable, side-splitting action as these titans of comedy go head-to-head in a NO-HOLDS-BARRED contest of imagination and laughs!
INSTAGRAM

cSPACE thanks the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF) and Calgary Arts Development Authority (CADA) for their support.

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