Art Matters Forum at the High Performance Rodeo

Calgary, Saturday, January 19, 2008

I am delighted to be back in Calgary to continue this collective dialogue about culture in a city that is experiencing an unprecedented economic boom. This notion of examining the present and future of a city, in which a multitude of community actors have a part to play, is central to our concerns at Rideau Hall. For nearly two years, the Governor General and I have taken advantage of the presentation of the Governor General’s Awards, as well as our official visits to Canada’s provinces and territories, to hold these Art Matters forums. These conversations explore the role and social function of those who create and of creation in society, and give those who champion culture on a daily basis an opportunity to be heard. It was therefore with great pleasure that we accepted the invitation from One Yellow Rabbit and returned to Calgary, with our small team, to hold this 21^st instalment of Art Matters.

The vitality of local artistic communities may be Canadian culture’s greatest strength. As my wife and I are privileged to observe, creators, decision-makers, researchers and, to an increasing extent, the general public from one end of this country to the other are beginning to realize that culture must be placed at the centre of community life, like a vital thread that binds us all to that sense of belonging. In this day and age, when the dialogue of cultures is one of the major issues facing Canadian society, this enthusiasm and local diversity are critical. While cities lay at the heart of demographic shifts, their populations becoming increasingly diverse, urban culture is emerging, now more than ever, as the locus of cultural hybridization and creativity. The challenge for culture and the arts is to allow for the development of new forms of expression based not on conflict or violence but on the sharing of spaces. And it is in cities that we begin to learn to live in harmony; it is in the streets and public places of cities like Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver and Montreal that we learn day by day to live together.

Today, we will contextualize these values, these deeply held convictions surrounding the fundamental, even vital role that culture plays in the development of communities. We will reflect on and talk about the parameters through which Calgary is evolving today. Our starting point will be the recent economic boom, which stems from the oil industry and largely defines this city. But in particular, we will examine the impact that this new and seemingly instantaneous financial wealth is having on the community and its culture. At all levels, the effects of the boom have been immediate, quick and widespread. If I may, I’d like to share a little anecdote with you. As we were leaving one of our meetings with Michael Green, a member of my team thought we would be discussing art not in the time of boom but rather in the time of bombs. Although we will not be looking into the issue of terrorism and its influence on culture at this time—something we may discuss at a later forum—this misunderstanding got me thinking about how the boom and bombs have similar effects on societies and the people who inhabit them: both alter the city landscape while turning urban balance, dynamics, living conditions and identity upside down.

Calgary’s architectural and urban appearance, as well as its demographic makeup, have been transformed by its strong, dynamic economy. But how does the community as a whole choose to interpret this new city? How do its citizens view this city in terms of the space given to youth and women, government cultural policies, local initiatives and partnerships? While financial resources are more available and accessible than ever, how does patronage help to bring creativity and meaning to Calgary? In other words, how do you reconcile the role of the commercial city with that of the cultural city?

The Calgarian community is answering these underlying yet fundamental questions every day through its actions and decisions. The responsibilities of community actors, from decision makers and patrons to artists and citizens, are ever-increasing with respect to culture, which is no longer a mere luxury but rather an essential and vibrant part of socialization and democracy. I want to hear what you have to say about the typically Calgarian way of working together to build a rich, unique and diverse urban culture.

As I was preparing for our discussion, I started to think about two other cities that, after establishing a dynamic economy, succeeded in becoming thriving cultural centres. On the one hand, there is Venice. From its origins in the 7^th century, Venice flourished as a trading hub, taking advantage of its location between the East and the West. In the Middle Ages, this commercial city became a Maritime Republic whose trade domination extended throughout the Mediterranean. And when its economy declined drastically in the 16^th century, it was its cultural richness that allowed it to persist and extend throughout Europe, making it the envy of other capitals and cities of art and culture, producing some of the world’s finest art, music, literature and architecture. In addition to attracting some of the major artists of the time, its famous carnival was already drawing travelers.

And on the other hand, there is Dubai, one of the United Arab Emirates. More recently, Dubai chose to diversify its economy, which relied heavily on fossil fuels, turning instead toward new technologies and trade, and particularly to the tourism industry. While oil represents less than 6% of its GDP, Dubai is known internationally for its architecture, heritage, attractions and luxury consumption. Its cultural life reflects the cosmopolitan metropolis it has become, including an international film festival that, like Calgary’s festival, screened my most recent film, The American Fugitive or The Truth about Hassan.

Both Venice and Dubai, at different times, have shown how important culture is to commercial cities if they are to prosper and endure.

The fact that we have now come together to take a closer look at Calgary demonstrates your desire to show off your city and prove to the rest of the country and the world that it is so much more than an oil town. How is Calgary preparing for its future? Where do art and culture fit in, and how is civil society taking them into consideration in developing the city? Today, this instalment of Art Matters offers a forum for dialogue and gives you the opportunity—you who are recreating and shaping Calgary—to share your thoughts, your concerns and your experiences.