3 modern art groups merge to form Contemporary Calgary

Three local art groups are banding together to create what they hope will become the principal modern visual arts institution in Calgary.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Calgary, the Institute for Modern and Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of Calgary will consolidate as Contemporary Calgary.

Carol Ryder, one of three co-chairs for the new society, said the merger means the groups will no longer be competing against one another for audience, awareness and funding.

The whole idea for us was to kind of almost, what I would call, bring one big tent that would could bring everything to do with contemporary art under one roof to work together to achieve our goals, she said.

The new institution will occupy the formerArtGallery of Calgary space on Stephen Avenue Mall.

The group is waiting to hear from the city about its proposal to move into the former science centre at west end of downtown.

We all believe that the time has come for a signature contemporary and modernartinstitution in our city, said co-chair Daryl Fridhandler.

Contemporary Calgary will be a place to celebrate theartof our times.