Creative City Summit Calgary 2026: Host City Spotlight

Creative City Network of Canada

Chinook Blast, Calgary’s winter festival. Photo: Niel Zeller

Spotlight on the City of Calgary

Creative City Summit Calgary 2026
October 6 – 8, 2026 | Calgary, Alberta

In 2020, the Creative City Network of Canada was well into planning their annual national working forum when the global pandemic brought preparations to a halt. With anticipation building, that pause has given the City of Calgary renewed momentum and a strong desire to highlight the city’s cultural infrastructure.

To offer a behind-the-scenes look at what’s in store for Creative City Summit delegates, CCNC chatted with Kelsey Marklund, Communications Strategist, Partnerships – Arts & Culture, City of Calgary. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity and length.

This year’s theme, Beneath the Surface: Finding Flow questions how we can improve the systems–the structures and partnerships–that guide culture work. To start, what makes Calgary a Creative City?

Calgary is home to so many incredible creative professionals, programs, events and spaces that keep this city’s heart beating. Voted as one of the most livable cities in North America and recently recognized as a premier music city, Calgary’s creative economy continues to evolve through investment from community-led organizations, municipal cultural teams, and civic partners.

Calgary offers a wide range of creative experiences that inspire and connect—from public art and street murals to theatre, live music, dance, festivals and cultural celebrations. They’re brought to life by talented artists and vibrant communities across the city.

What are you most excited to share with our over 300 delegates who will be attending in person?

Calgary is excited to take delegates ‘beyond the surface’ and into [the] innovative spaces, projects and partnerships that support [the city’s] creative expression. They’ll visit diverse community spaces and meet the passionate teams behind them.

In collaboration with our Summit planning partners, delegates will receive a warm welcome and experience the shared culture of our city.

City of Calgary Canada Day celebrations.

Municipal culture work often involves navigating uncertainty, competing priorities, and limited resources, while helping shape civic identity during periods of growth and change. How does Calgary create space for experimentation or innovation?

As cities grow and culture evolves, municipal teams and their partners are being asked to do more, faster. It’s not just about responding to community needs but also anticipating what’s next and planning ahead to enhance quality of life.

Civic identity has often been shaped by how municipalities respond. Today, it’s increasingly about taking the lead – exploring bold ideas and creating systems and services that help communities and partners thrive.

Study tours will give delegates the chance to step beyond the hotel and engage with Calgary’s people and places that have challenged traditional ways of thinking to bring bold ideas and unique arts and cultural initiatives to life.

Where do you see the strongest opportunities for municipalities and the cultural sector to collaborate moving forward?

Municipalities and the cultural sector have a real opportunity to work together to bring unused or underutilized spaces to life. A shared vision and strategic plan can help guide future investment in reliable, sustainable creative infrastructure and cultural planning, supporting continued growth of art, culture and the creative economy.

Share a hidden gem. This could be an art gallery, restaurant, clothing store, coffee shop, etc.

The GRAND is a historical landmark that has been part of Calgary’s cultural and architectural evolution for over a century! At the Summit’s opening reception, delegates will have the opportunity to experience this historic venue for themselves.

What do you hope delegates leave with after visiting Calgary?

The hope is that delegates leave with a fresh perspective on Calgary and a stronger understanding of the creative opportunities and experiences this city has to offer. They’ll spend time outdoors exploring the city and beyond, build meaningful connections with other delegates, and have intentional space to think, reflect, and tap into their own creative flow.

Book your 3-day delegate pass today and join us in Calgary. CCNC members and delegates may also be eligible for promotional discounts. Register for the Summit

Creative City Network of Canada
116 Albert Street, Suite 300
Ottawa, ON K1P 5G3
www.creativecity.ca
info@creativecity.ca
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Akimbo is a media partner of the 2026 Creative City Summit.