Partners invest over $3M to build Calgary’s creative economy

Press Release

September 19, 2024

Calgary’s creative industries are getting a $3 million boost through a collaborative investment from PrairiesCan, the Government of Alberta, the City of Calgary and the Edmonton Screen Industries Office. This funding will support five programs, facilitated by Calgary Economic Development, designed to enhance inclusivity, develop talent and diversify the city’s creative economy.

“Global trends and disruptive technologies are transforming the way content is produced, distributed, and commercialized around the world. Calgary is poised to be nimble to these shifts by building economic resiliency through diversification of its creative industries and increasing the agility of our workforce,” said CED President and CEO Brad Parry.

“These inclusive programs will play a crucial role in ensuring Calgary continues to emerge on the global stage as a top destination for creative talent, studios, entrepreneurs, and investors to build a fulfilling career and a life.”

Building Calgary’s creative economy aligns with priorities to attract talent, grow Calgary’s innovation ecosystem and enhance livability in the city’s economic action plan, Uplook.

A major investment in Calgary’s creative future

The five programs are built from recommendations of Calgary’s Creative Economy Strategy, the CreativeCITY Guidebook and the Alberta Screen Production Workforce Action Plan, which identified frameworks for the Calgary region to diversify its creative economy. By focusing on inclusive talent growth and intellectual property (IP) development, Calgary will be better positioned to attract and retain creative talent and investors, scale revenue beyond fee-for-service work, and be resilient to rapid technological developments and market volatility.

“The Calgary region’s film, television, and creative industries are on a roll,” said the Honourable Dan Vandal, federal Minister for PrairiesCan.

“With expert production crews, top-tier talent, and outstanding regional locales that are featured internationally in award-winning blockbusters, this sector is helping to drive economic growth and job creation for Albertans. Our government’s investment in these new programs led by Calgary Economic Development builds on the creative sector’s global reputation while continuing its growth trajectory.”

Both the strategies and the five programs were created to harness opportunities to build agility across Calgary’s core creative industries – film and TV, animation and digital visual effects (VFX), video game development, esports and immersive media – that result in the production and consumption of creative goods.

“Strong creative industries are an important part of supporting economic growth in communities throughout Alberta,” noted George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview.

“I’m proud that our government is investing to bolster the Calgary region’s creative economy and enable this sector to take advantage of new opportunities to grow and attract talent — in a way that is both inclusive and sustainable for our long-term growth.”

Job creation and skills development

In a collaborative approach to fuel talent development across the creative economy, PrairiesCan contributed over $1.2 million, the City of Calgary $1 million, the Government of Alberta over $650,000 and the Edmonton Screen Industries Office $150,000.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek reinforced the importance of this collaborative investment: “Calgary is globally recognized as a city of creative problem solvers and industry-disrupting ventures across sectors. This investment will enhance our region’s existing creative talent pool, support the diversification of our creative economy, and build Calgary’s innovation scene and increasingly dynamic downtown core.”

Over the next two years, these programs are projected to train 500 individuals, create 210 jobs and support 94 companies. Launching in fall 2024, the programs include:

Six cohorts of the Alberta Producer Accelerator (APA) Program. This program prepares producers to elevate their careers with training, mentorship and industry connections through cohorts for Scripted Film and Television, Animation and Indigenous producers. Animation cohort applications are now open;
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging (EDIAB) Protocols and Anti-Racism Training. This resource will provide training and equity protocols for those that work in film and television environments in Alberta to create more inclusive environments;
Indigenous In-Community Training Program. Facilitated by Pathfinders Film Academy, three cohorts of training will be offered in-community to Indigenous applicants to learn a variety of skillsets and certifications to elevate employment opportunities in the film and television industry;
Screen Access Alberta career website. This digital portal will support recruitment and retention of creative workers in Alberta, and will be a central resource for talent to build a career plan in the creative industries and access existing training opportunities and open job postings; and
The Calgary Games Studio Foundry. Focused on the video gaming and e-sports sector, this pilot program will support creative entrepreneurs to develop, market and commercialize their product.

Local industry has ‘momentum to succeed’

“Alberta’s creative industries have the momentum to succeed,” said Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. “Through this $650,000 grant, Alberta’s government is ensuring Albertans have the skills they need to get ahead and that the province remains the best place for producers to tell their stories.”

Dorian Rowe, Interim CEO and Film Commissioner at ESIO, said by investing in talent development and the fostering of inclusive practices, “we’re helping to ensure that Alberta remains a vibrant hub for the screen industries and a place where creative professionals can thrive.”

Concluded Patti Pon, President and CEO of the Calgary Arts Development Association: “We see examples of how artists and creatives drive innovation, vitality, and belonging in our city every day. We applaud this important investment in Calgary’s creative industries to further the skills and careers of our creative workforce.”

Calgary has the competitive advantage to build a thriving creative economy — including film and television, digital media, interactive technologies, gaming, e-sports, and animation/VFX sectors. Learn more about the city’s creative industries here.

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