Alcove Holiday Closure Reminder 2025/2026

Wrapping Up!

As we come to the end of another year at Alcove, we want to begin with a heartfelt thank you. Every moment of growth we experienced this year was shaped by the people who showed up — our artists, facilitators, volunteers, partners, sponsors, collaborators, funders, and every single person who walked through our doors. Whether you attended an event, shared a post, volunteered your time, performed, taught a workshop, booked a space, or simply believed in what we’re building, you played a role in helping Alcove grow.

Because of you, our spaces continue to be places where creativity feels accessible, community feels genuine, and artists feel supported. Your presence, care, and trust allowed us to expand our programming, deepen our impact as a charity, and welcome more people than ever before into the Alcove community. We don’t take that support lightly, and we are endlessly grateful!

Holiday Closure Reminder

Alcove is now closed for the holidays from December 19 until Thursday, January 29. All regular programming and drop-in art space hours will resume at that time. During the closure, stay connected via our newsletter and social media for partner programs or special events that are taking place in our spaces.

Looking ahead, we’ll also be opening volunteer recruitment in early January. If you’ve ever thought about getting involved behind the scenes, we’d love for you to join us — more details coming in January!

A Snapshot of What We Accomplished This Year

With your support, Alcove welcomed over 10,000 visitors this year, creating vibrant, welcoming spaces for artists and community members across the city.

This year included:

• 57 Jam Sessions that brought musicians together to collaborate and connect

• 11 Raw Voices events amplifying spoken word, comedy, and music

• 14 Window Case Concerts activating public space through music

• 4 Creatives Mixers fostering connection across Calgary’s creative sector

• 34 Workshops providing accessible, low-cost activities for the community

• 131 Partner Programs and Space Bookings 

• 11 Mini Gallery exhibitions showcasing emerging local visual artists

• 181 days of free Drop-In Art Space!

By year’s end, Alcove will have paid a projected $76,489 in artist fees to 156 individual artists and collectives, reinforcing our commitment to valuing artists’ time and ensuring creative work is meaningfully supported.

If Alcove has been meaningful to you this year, please consider making a year-end donation. Your support helps sustain our programs, artists, and spaces into the year ahead. Donations over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt.

Thank you for helping us build a space rooted in creativity, care, and community!

We hope you have a restful, warm holiday season, and we can’t wait to welcome you back in the new year for another chapter at Alcove.

The 2026 Alcove Community Card is officially here!

It’s here! The 2026 Alcove Community Card has officially launched. Ready to save money at your favourite cafés, bookstores, studios, breweries, galleries, and more… all while making a real impact on the arts community you love? This card is for you! 

For only $30, you’ll unlock:

• Exclusive discounts + special offers at 63+ local businesses

• Access to Alcove’s quarterly Creatives Mixer (card required!)

• Quarterly Insider podcasts with behind-the-scenes stories from the local arts scene

• Special discounts, perks, and creative experiences all year long

This season, they make the perfect holiday gift: thoughtful, affordable, local, and impact-driven. Give one to your friends, family, coworkers… or yourself! 

Buying a card directly supports the work we do: free and by-donation workshops, accessible events for all ages, and Western Canada’s first recreational arts space that welcomes over 1,000 visitors every month. It also helps us continue offering more than 100 paid artist opportunities a year.

Take a look at our amazing sponsors below!

We also have Team Packages available!
Bundle your Community Cards and save:
✨ 10 for $225
✨ 20 for $400
A meaningful, local gift for offices, teams, and creative workplaces — email Laura at [email protected] for details or questions.

Valid January 1–December 31, 2026. Give the gift that gives back!

Buy yours at our front desk when we reopen!

Want to support Alcove? Here’s how!

• If you’re able, consider making a donation! Donations help fuel our mission to provide a full-time space where people can cultivate their creativity and build meaningful connections within our community. Donations over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt. 

• Snag a 2026 Community Card — Treat yourself or a friend to an all-access pass to special offers and creative experiences in Calgary for $30! Every purchase helps support local businesses AND accessible arts programming in Calgary!

• Bring Alcove to Work — Does your workplace support local arts and culture? Whether it’s through an employee giving campaign or a corporate donation, your workplace can help fuel creativity in Calgary. Email [email protected] and let’s chat!

• Show Up & Get Creative — Swing by during drop-in hours, join a workshop, or check out one of our events. When you show up, you support local artists and help build community. Click here for our program schedule. 

Alcove belongs to all of us — thanks for being part of it!

Artist Callout: Exhibit at our Mini Gallery

Are you a visual artist looking for a space to showcase your work? Our Mini Gallery on 2nd Street is now accepting submissions for its next exhibit!

Visible to the public 24/7, this space is designed for artists facing barriers in finding exhibition opportunities. When Alcove is open, visitors can also explore the gallery from the inside. Each showcase runs for an average of 4–6 weeks, providing a unique platform to share your creativity with the community.

*Friendly reminder to guests that hot food is not permitted in the space, with exceptions during special events. This is to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the recreational art space.

*Parking in the loading zone by the back door is not permitted, except for staff and facilitators/performers who have a workshop or performance at Alcove. Please do not park there otherwise.

About Us
The Alcove Centre for the Arts is a charity located in Calgary (Alcove Core - 244 7th Avenue SW & Alcove Beltline - 1040 8 St SW). Our aim is to make the arts accessible through pay-what-you-can events and art workshops. We believe that art and creativity are integral to the human experience and in building vibrant and dynamic communities.

Visiting Us
Affordable parking for Alcove Core is located at: TD Core’s Underground Parkade (745 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2P 4K9). It has free 3-hour parking after 3pm on Weekdays, and a flat rate of $2 for longer. There is free 3-hour parking all day on Weekends, with a $2 flat rate for longer. If you are taking Calgary Transit, we are just across the street from 3rd Street Station.