Alcove Centre for the Arts in partnership with cSPACE | Photo: Orien

Alcove Centre for the Arts

By Meghan Power

“We bring an aliveness to 7th Ave. The creative energy that is being generated inside, often spills out onto the street. You can feel it. Our neighbours have said they appreciate the life we are bringing back into the neighbourhood. We get a lot of folks walking by who pop in because they are curious to see what is happening inside.” Bethel Afework, executive director and co-founder, describes Alcove Centre for the Arts as a full-time recreational art space, in the heart of downtown—an area with very few public gathering spaces.

The idea for Alcove Centre for the Arts was born out of RawVoices, a spoken word and standup comedy space that Bethel started back along with her friends, in university, in 2016. “The idea of an art space emerged from the lack of places for people, especially younger adults, to hang out that didn’t require you to purchase food or alcohol. A space where you could meet people, hang out, and do recreational art.” Alcove hosts an array of live weekly events, guided workshops, and also offers open studio space for creating and making.

 

In 2021, Alcove was officially established as a non-profit organization. Relatively new with no official track record when it came to grants, it was a challenge to qualify for operating funds. In 2024, Calgary Arts Development (CADA) opened applications to organizations that had never received or may have not qualified for an operating grant before. Bethel explains how access to unrestricted funds is a big deal for a small non-profit like Alcove. “CADA feels a bit like an angel investor. They are an amazing incubator and catalyst for the arts at a grassroots level.” 

 

Bethel also appreciates that CADA is an active member of the Calgary arts community. “As an organization they are breaking down the bureaucratic barriers that often prevent individuals and organizations from being able to access funding. They go above and beyond in making their grants more accessible and are opening up non-traditional channels for applications to be submitted and processed.” 

 

“At Alcove Centre for the Arts, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with the arts, free from financial, social, cultural, or physical barriers. Having the funds to offset the costs of our payroll, and the general costs of keeping the doors open gives us financial security and the ability to create a sense of certainty within our community. It gives us the space to design programs, plan ahead and dream up bigger projects and support even more local creators.” 

 

Bethel believes Alcove is a home for anyone who finds joy in art: “whether you’re a working artist, a hobbyist, an enthusiast, or someone simply looking for creative experiences. We are a great space for folks who have an idea but don’t know where to start or need a space to start. You might not feel like you have the means, but all you need is an idea and a little patience with yourself.”