What We Heard
Summary of core narratives and insights from public engagement. This includes community values and the five strategic themes for public art.
Overview of the Plan
A community vision built through stories, lived experiences and shared goals
Chinatown is one of Calgary’s most culturally significant neighbourhoods, a place shaped by migration, resilience, tongs, family associations and generations of community care. As the district evolves, residents expressed a desire for public art that protects what matters most: its heritage, its people and its community spirit.
The Chinatown Public Art Plan reflects more than a strategy. It is a collective expression of what community members value, how they want to see themselves represented and how public art can support the future of Chinatown.
How This Plan Was Created
Over several months, we listened to the voices of Chinatown through surveys, interviews and conversations during our focus sessions with elders, cultural leaders, workers, community members, artists and visitors.
Across these engagements, people shared hopes, concerns, stories and ideas — all pointing toward a shared vision for public art that:
- Honours cultural memory
- Strengthens belonging
- Empowers young creators
- Supports cultural and economic vitality
- Embraces contemporary expression
These insights are distilled into three core values and five strategic themes, which together articulate why public art matters in Chinatown and what the community wants to see reflected in the neighbourhood.
Three Core Values
To be a platform for gratitude, remembrance & visibility.
To strengthen understanding across generations, cultures and lived experiences.
To educate, inform and spark curiosity about Chinatown’s past, present and future.
Five Strategic Themes
1. Heritage & Cultural Identity
Honouring Chinatown’s roots through visible cultural expression.
Pathways
1A. Storytelling through symbols & narratives.
1B. Cultural markers in the public realm.
1C. Collaborative & cross-cultural creation.
2. Community Belonging & Everyday Experiences
Creating welcoming spaces that foster connection and daily encounters.
Pathways
2A. Welcoming spaces.
2B. Public art woven into daily life.
2C. Shared community celebrations.
3. Youth Empowerment & Emerging Voices
Encouraging young leaders and new creators to shape Chinatown’s future.
Pathways
3A. Mentorship opportunities.
3B. Youth-informed artistic expression.
3C. Intergenerational knowledge sharing.
4. Contemporary Art Forms
Reimagining Chinatown through new tools, mediums and cross-cultural expression.
Pathways
4A. Blended tradition & innovation.
4B. Artistic experimentation & new media.
4C. Inclusive & accessible design.
5. Cultural Destination & Economic Vibrancy
Positioning Chinatown as a vibrant hub for culture, tourism and partnership.
Pathways
5A. Signature & destination-making art works.
5B. Joint & shared investment.
5C. Strategic art placement.
Community Values
The values placed on public art shared by the community
Celebrate
Public art is a way to celebrate Chinatown’s living heritage, its histories, languages, elders, tongs, family associations and everyday stories that define the community. Residents spoke of the need to acknowledge what earlier generations built, to honour cultural resilience and to make heritage and local history visible in public space rather than hidden or forgotten.
Celebration is not only about remembrance; it is about expressing pride, beauty and joy in Chinatown’s identity today, and affirming that these stories matter to the future of Calgary.
What this means in practice
- Visibility: Heritage should be present and recognizable in public spaces, not tucked away or erased through redevelopment.
- Respect: Elders, tongs, family associations and cultural traditions should be acknowledged with care and accuracy.
- Pride: Art should elevate what makes Chinatown distinct: its contributions, its people and its enduring legacy.
Connect
Public art helps people connect across age, culture, experience and geography. The community emphasized the importance of belonging: making Chinatown a place where both longtime residents and newcomers feel welcome, where cultural differences become opportunities for dialogue and where the public realm invites casual interactions and shared moments.
Public art can bridge the gaps between generations, between cultural groups and between visitors and the neighbourhood’s deep history.
What this means in practice
- Belonging: Public art should create spaces where people feel welcome, safe and included.
- Dialogue: Public art should spark conversation across cultures and generations.
- Community life: Public art should encourage shared experiences: festivals, gatherings and everyday encounters that strengthen social ties.
Cultivate
Public art should cultivate learning, imagination and cultural growth. Community members expressed a desire for art that informs and offers pathways to understand Chinatown’s stories, traditions and contributions, while also inspiring new creative futures.
This value represents the belief that public art can be both a teacher and a catalyst: a way to carry forward knowledge, support emerging creators and nourish cultural evolution for generations to come.
What this means in practice
- Learning: Public art should deepen understanding of Chinatown’s cultural, historical and social narratives.
- Growth: Public art projects should support emerging artists, youth leadership and experimentation.
- Continuity: Public art should act as a bridge between past and future, sustaining culture while allowing it to evolve.
1. Heritage & Cultural Identity
Honouring the roots of Chinatown through visible storytelling.
Chinatown’s heritage is deeply embedded in its buildings, languages, tongs, family associations and migration stories, yet much of this history is at risk of being lost as time passes and redevelopment intensifies. Community members expressed a strong desire for public art that preserves, celebrates and interprets this cultural memory in ways that are visible and accessible every day.
This theme focuses on strengthening cultural identity through storytelling, intergenerational knowledge sharing and the integration of heritage into the neighbourhood’s physical fabric. Public art becomes a living archive, one that honours the people and histories who made Chinatown what it is, while continuing to evolve with the community.
Intended Outcomes
Community-informed pathways
1A. Storytelling through symbols and narratives:
Bring Chinatown’s histories, languages, migration journeys and community stories into public view through recognizable symbols, narratives and artworks placed in the public realm. This may include visual storytelling, interpretive art or place-based elements that highlight Chinatown’s cultural depth.
Intended outcomes
- Enhanced visibility of Chinatown’s histories, languages and cultural narratives in public space.
- Improved recognition of Chinatown’s cultural contributions within Calgary.
- Deepened connection to place through shared and celebrated heritage.
1B. Cultural markers in the public realm:
Incorporate cultural motifs, such as Chinese characters, symbols, colours, architectural elements and heritage references into streetscapes, façades and public art to reinforce a strong sense of place.
Intended outcomes
- A clearer sense of place expressed visibly throughout Chinatown.
- More frequent integration of heritage into daily experience.
- Heightened belonging supported by recognizable cultural markers and symbols.
1C. Collaborative & cross-cultural creation:
Encourage co-creation across cultural groups, experiment with diverse artistic approaches and build understanding through creative exchange and shared stories.
Intended outcomes
- Collaborative experiences that connect people across cultures, practices and perspectives.
- Enhanced creative innovation through blended techniques, styles and viewpoints.
- A more inclusive cultural landscape shaped by shared experiences and storytelling.
Opportunities
Community feedback
- Heritage as a living story: Community members want public art to keep cultural memory active, visible and present in everyday spaces.
- Visible commemoration: Public art can highlight significant locations, tongs, family associations, migration histories and community contributions.
- Intergenerational connection: Elders are eager to share stories, while youth want to learn and reinterpret them creatively.
- Culturally grounded design: Traditional motifs, languages and symbols can be incorporated thoughtfully into the evolving urban fabric.
Challenges
Community feedback
- Cultural displacement and loss of identity: Redevelopment pressures risk erasing Chinatown’s unique history, landmarks and narratives.
- Fading generational knowledge: Elders’ stories, language skills and lived experiences are at risk of being lost without active documentation.
- Fragmented storytelling: Heritage is often limited to plaques or internal displays, making it disconnected from daily life.
- Misrepresentation or simplification: Residents worry about stereotypical or superficial depictions that do not reflect cultural depth.
Near term suggestions
Community feedback
i. Activate heritage-rich sites with visible storytelling
Use murals, interpretive graphics, temporary installations or digital storytelling to bring migration histories, tongs, family associations and community narratives into public view at key locations.
“Make stories visible”
“Use old sites for education”
ii. Establish an elder-artist storytelling program
Create regular sharing sessions where elders offer stories, language and cultural knowledge that artists and youth can translate into public art concepts.
“Learn from seniors”
“We need a way to preserve stories”
iii. Launch a Chinatown heritage art series
Introduce an annual or seasonal public art initiative focused on themes such as ancestry, resilience, cultural pride and local histories, showcasing multiple local artists.
“We want more ways to honour our history”
“Keep cultural pride visible”
Future strategies
Community feedback
iv. Integrate cultural motifs into future streetscapes and redevelopment design
Embed cultural patterns, symbolic materials, languages and architectural references into sidewalks, façades and public realm improvements as the neighbourhood evolves.
“Include cultural motifs in sidewalks”
“Make our culture part of the design”
v. Create a long-term cultural interpretation framework
Develop community-led guidelines that outline how Chinatown’s heritage, languages and cultural identity should be represented across future public art, signage, infrastructure and development projects.
“We need more continuity”
“Don’t lose our identity”
2. Community Belonging & Everyday Experience
Creating welcoming spaces that foster connection and daily encounters
Community members described Chinatown as a place where connection, warmth and shared experience are essential to daily life. They emphasized the importance of a public realm that feels welcoming, inclusive and alive with creativity. Public art plays a vital role in strengthening these connections, supporting a neighbourhood where people feel comfortable gathering, discovering and experiencing culture as part of their everyday routine.
This theme focuses on fostering belonging and vibrancy: shaping the public realm, encouraging frequent encounters with art, and creating moments of shared joy that bring people together.
Intended Outcomes
Community-informed pathways
2A. Welcoming spaces:
Public art that contributes to the transformation of plazas, streetscapes, laneways and storefronts into warm, inclusive gathering places where people naturally pause, interact and connect.
Intended outcomes
- More inviting environments that encourage people to spend time in the public realm.
- Improved comfort and accessibility for people of all ages and abilities.
- Enriched opportunities for connection through thoughtfully designed gathering places.
2B. Public art woven into daily life:
Public art integrated along everyday walking routes, transit areas, storefronts and movement corridors, offering small moments of discovery and creativity through playful gestures, surprising details, storytelling, experimentation and moments of imagination that spark curiosity, reflection and connection as part of ordinary routines.
Intended outcomes
- More frequent encounters with art that spark delight, reflection or curiosity.
- Enhanced vibrancy throughout Chinatown’s most travelled public areas.
- A more engaging daily environment that strengthens people’s connection to the neighbourhood.
2C. Shared community celebrations:
Artworks or artistic spaces that support festivals, gatherings and cultural moments that bring people together and strengthen social bonds.
Intended outcomes
- More opportunities for shared celebration and collective joy.
- Heightened social connection through communal cultural experiences.
- A deeper sense of togetherness supported by a public realm designed for community life.
Opportunities
Community feedback
- More inclusive public realm: Public art can make streets, alleys and plazas feel safer, more welcoming and more accessible for all ages.
- Everyday expression: People want art that shows up in small, frequent ways, not only large installations.
- Places to gather: The community values spaces where they can meet, rest, talk and celebrate together.
- New connections: Public art can help newcomers and visitors understand and appreciate Chinatown’s history and unique cultural depth.
- Community-led activity: Local groups, businesses and youth want to help shape shared experiences.
Challenges
Community feedback
- Lack of accessible gathering spaces: There are few indoor or community spaces that are openly available for everyday public gathering.
- Spaces feel disconnected: Certain streets and corners feel underused, uninviting or fragmented.
- Barriers to participation: Newcomers, youth and seniors may feel uncertain about where they belong.
- Stereotyping: Public art must avoid clichés and ensure deeper representation of community experiences.
Near term suggestions
Community feedback
i. Activate heritage-rich sites with visible storytelling
Use murals, interpretive graphics, temporary installations or digital storytelling to bring migration histories, tongs, family associations and community narratives into public view at key locations.
“Make stories visible”
“Use old sites for education”
ii. Establish an elder-artist storytelling program
Create regular sharing sessions where elders offer stories, language and cultural knowledge that artists and youth can translate into public art concepts.
“Learn from seniors”
“We need a way to preserve stories”
iii. Launch a Chinatown heritage art series
Introduce an annual or seasonal public art initiative focused on themes such as ancestry, resilience, cultural pride and local histories, showcasing multiple local artists.
“We want more ways to honour our history”
“Keep cultural pride visible”
Future strategies
Community feedback
iv. Integrate cultural motifs into future streetscapes and redevelopment design
Embed cultural patterns, symbolic materials, languages and architectural references into sidewalks, façades and public realm improvements as the neighbourhood evolves.
“Include cultural motifs in sidewalks”
“Make our culture part of the design”
v. Create a long-term cultural interpretation framework
Develop community-led guidelines that outline how Chinatown’s heritage, languages and cultural identity should be represented across future public art, signage, infrastructure and development projects.
“We need more continuity”
“Don’t lose our identity”
3. Youth Empowerment & Emerging Voices
Empowering young leaders and new creators to shape Chinatown’s future
Youth play an essential role in shaping the future of Chinatown. Across engagement sessions, young people expressed a desire for more opportunities to participate, lead and contribute creatively to the neighbourhood. They spoke about wanting spaces to experiment, platforms to share their voices and mentorship from elders, artists and cultural leaders.
This theme focuses on nurturing emerging talent, supporting cross-generational learning and creating visible pathways for youth to engage in public art. By elevating youth voices, Chinatown strengthens its continuity, connecting past, present and future through creativity, leadership and shared cultural expression.
Intended Outcomes
Community-informed pathways
3A. Mentorship opportunities:
Create opportunities for elders, culture bearers, artists and community leaders to guide youth in developing artistic skills, cultural knowledge and confidence in creative leadership.
Intended Outcomes
- Expanded access to guidance, training and creative support for youth.
- Enriched intergenerational relationships built through shared artistic practice.
- More culturally grounded artworks informed by lived memory and community teachings.
3B. Youth informed artistic expression:
Support youth-designed murals, installations, media projects and storytelling initiatives that allow young creators to express their identities, experiences and visions for Chinatown.
Intended Outcomes
- Increased visibility of youth perspectives and creative contributions in public space.
- More opportunities for emerging artists to develop and showcase their work.
- A stronger sense of ownership among youth in shaping Chinatown’s cultural life.
3C. Intergenerational knowledge sharing:
Create opportunities for elders, families, youth and artists to collaborate in sharing, preserving and interpreting lived histories, language and cultural memory. These exchanges help shape future artworks in ways that feel authentic and grounded in community experience.
Intended Outcomes
- Sustained preservation of cultural memory across generations.
- Enriched relationships among elders, youth, families and artists.
- More authentic representation of lived experiences within public artworks.
Opportunities
Community feedback
- Youth-led creativity: Young people want opportunities to express themselves through murals, media art, digital forms (i.e. projection, animation, interactive works, augmented experiences), performance and co-created installations.
- Visible youth presence: Community members want to see youth contributions reflected in the public realm.
- Mentorship and role models: Youth expressed a desire for mentorship from elders, artists and cultural leaders to help them develop skills and confidence.
- Collaboration: Young participants want to collaborate with diverse communities and learn through creative exchange.
- Safe spaces to create: Youth highlighted the need for dedicated places (indoor or outdoor) where they can experiment, gather and create art together.
Challenges
Community feedback
- Limited opportunities for youth leadership: Young people felt they were invited to participate but rarely to take on roles of responsibility.
- Lack of visible entry points: Many youth are unsure how to get involved or navigate arts processes and funding pathways.
- Perception barriers: Some youth feel disconnected from Chinatown or worry that their voices will not be taken seriously.
- Resource constraints: Limited access to materials, training or creative spaces makes it harder for youth to experiment or grow their artistic identities.
Near term suggestions
Community feedback
i. Create public art opportunities that involve youth
Launch small-scale mural projects, pop-up installations or digital storytelling initiatives designed, led or informed by youth with support from artist mentors.
“We want to make things that actually show our voice”
“Let youth try things and learn as they go”
ii. Develop mentorship circles with elders, artists and cultural leaders
Facilitate cross-generational mentorship programs, pairing youth with elders, culture bearers and experienced artists to share stories, techniques and creative practices.
“We need people to guide us”
“Sharing stories helps us understand our roots”
iii. Support collaborative and cross-cultural creations
Encourage projects that bring youth together with peers from other cultural communities to experiment, create and build understanding through art.
“Working across cultures helps us grow”
“Art is how we connect”
Future strategies
Community feedback
iv. Establish youth-first creative spaces and programs
Develop indoor and outdoor spaces where youth can gather, practice, experiment with materials and co-create in a supportive environment.
“We need space to try new things”
“Having a place to create makes a huge difference”
v. Build long-term opportunities or roles for youth
Create clear, ongoing opportunities for youth to participate in decision-making, selection panels, design workshops and project leadership roles.
“Let youth be part of the process”
“We want to shape what Chinatown becomes”
4. Contemporary Art Forms
Reimagining Chinatown through new tools, mediums and cultural expression
Community members expressed a desire for public art that feels fresh, creative and alive, something that reflects Chinatown’s evolving identity while remaining rooted in its cultural heritage. People want artworks that spark curiosity, invite interaction and showcase both traditional techniques and contemporary imagination.
This theme supports innovation, diverse creative approaches and experimentation with new tools, media and cross-cultural artistic exchange. Public art becomes a way to reimagine Chinatown’s future while honouring its past, expanding what cultural expression can look like in the neighbourhood.
Intended Outcomes
Community-informed pathways
4A. Blended tradition and innovation:
Artwork that merges traditional Chinese cultural elements with contemporary creative forms, offering renewed interpretations of familiar symbols, stories and practices.
Intended Outcomes
- More dynamic expressions of Chinatown’s cultural identity.
- Expanded creative possibilities through reinterpretation of heritage.
- A refreshed visual language that resonates with both longtime residents and new generations.
4B. Artistic experimentation and new media:
Public art that explores unconventional tools, digital media, sound, light or interactive components, encouraging playful and experimental approaches to creative expression.
Intended Outcomes
- More engaging experiences that spark curiosity and participation.
- Increased visibility of diverse creative practices in public space.
- A more innovative arts environment that reflects Chinatown’s evolving character.
4C. Inclusive and accessible design:
Creative work designed to be accessible and inclusive, ensuring that people of all ages, abilities, languages and cultural backgrounds can meaningfully engage with public art.
Intended Outcomes
- More equitable access to public art experiences.
- Improved utility of the public realm through thoughtful design.
- A more welcoming environment where everyone feels invited to participate.
Opportunities
Community feedback
- Fresh creative energy: Community members want public art that feels current, exciting and reflective of contemporary creative culture.
- Interactivity: People expressed interest in artworks that invite touch, movement, sound or light — something people can experience, not just observe.
- Artistic expression: Residents and youth are enthusiastic about mixing techniques, stories and creative styles from Chinese traditions and other cultures.
- Digital and new media art: There is curiosity and excitement about using projections and multimedia storytelling.
- Art that sparks exploration: Participants highlighted a desire for artworks that encourage people to move through Chinatown, discover hidden corners and take photos.
Challenges
Community feedback
- Perception of “traditional” vs. “modern”: Some worry that innovation may overshadow cultural authenticity.
- Technical capacity: Artists and community groups may need training or support to work with new tools or media.
- Maintenance requirements: Digital or interactive installations may require upkeep, repairs or technology updates.
- Risk of novelty without depth: Community feedback expressed that contemporary work should still carry cultural meaning, not become purely aesthetic.
Near term suggestions
Community feedback
i. Combine traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern art forms
Support projects that blend calligraphy with projection mapping, traditional motifs with contemporary murals or heritage stories interpreted through modern design.
“It can be modern but still connected to who we are”
“Mix old and new — make it feel alive”
ii. Encourage playful, interactive installations
Install artworks that respond to sound, movement or light, creating engaging moments for families, youth and visitors.
“Something fun that people want to explore”
“Art people can experience, not just look at”
iii. Support artists working with digital or new media
Offer training, microgrants or mentorship for artists experimenting with technology, collaborative media or cross-cultural creative approaches.
“Give creators the tools to try new things”
“We want digital art too — not everything has to be tradition”
Future strategies
Community feedback
iv. Integrate contemporary art into public realm improvements
Collaborate with designers to incorporate materials, colour, interactive elements and modern media into streetscape upgrades and public space design.
“The street itself can be artwork”
“Use new materials, make it feel modern and creative”
v. Establish programs that support experimentation and creative risk-taking
Create opportunities to pilot new ideas, test small-scale installations or collaborate across cultures.
“Let artists experiment”
“Try small ideas first and see what works”
5. Cultural Destination & Economic Vibrancy
Positioning Chinatown as a vibrant hub for culture, tourism and partnership
Community members described Chinatown as a place filled with cultural richness, local businesses and deep-rooted traditions, but also a neighbourhood that could benefit from more foot traffic, increased visibility and stronger economic activity. Public art was seen as a powerful tool to help attract visitors, support local shops and restaurants, and highlight Chinatown as a dynamic cultural district.
This theme focuses on using public art to enhance Chinatown’s visibility, encourage exploration, strengthen partnerships and celebrate the neighbourhood as a cultural destination. Public art can help create memorable experiences, activate key areas and reinforce Chinatown’s identity as a place of inspiration, history and community vitality.
Intended Outcomes
Community-informed pathways
5A. Signature and destination-making artworks:
High impact artworks that draw visitors, create memorable experiences and strengthen Chinatown’s identity as a cultural anchor.
Intended Outcomes
- More destination-level experiences that attract visitors and support local business activity.
- Heightened recognition of Chinatown as a creative and cultural district.
- A stronger visual identity anchored by iconic public art.
5B. Joint and shared investment:
Collaborative funding and partnerships with businesses, cultural organizations, developers and tourism partners to support public art and cultural activation.
Intended Outcomes
- More diverse funding opportunities that broaden who can initiate or support public art.
- Increased collaboration across community, business and institutional partners.
- A more sustainable public art ecosystem supported by shared responsibility.
5C. Strategic art placement:
Public art located in key gateways, corridors and gathering areas to reinforce Chinatown’s cultural presence and draw people into the neighbourhood.
Intended Outcomes
- Stronger visibility of Chinatown’s cultural identity across the public realm.
- More consistent movement of visitors through streets, plazas and commercial areas.
- A more active and discoverable neighbourhood, supported by visible public art.
Opportunities
Community feedback
- Draw more visitors: Public art can help bring people into the neighbourhood and encourage exploration.
- Support small businesses: Increased foot traffic helps restaurants, grocers, shops and community markets thrive.
- Create destination experiences: Community members want artworks that feel “memorable,” “photo-worthy” and distinctive to Chinatown.
- Collaborative investment: Businesses, cultural groups and community organizations expressed interest in co-funding or co-hosting public art projects.
- Activate key areas: Chinatown has plazas, corridors and blank walls that could become anchors for cultural activity and visual identity.
Challenges
Community feedback
- Economic pressures: Businesses expressed concern about slow foot traffic and seasonal fluctuations.
- Perception of Chinatown: Some community members felt the neighbourhood is overlooked or misunderstood relative to its cultural significance.
- Maintenance demands: High-visibility or high-impact installations require clear maintenance responsibilities.
- Coordination across partners: Successful destination-level projects need alignment amongst interested parties including community groups, artists, businesses, property owners, developers and The City of Calgary.
Near term suggestions
Community feedback
i. Create landmark or signature works
Install visually striking pieces that become recognizable symbols of Chinatown, attracting visitors and supporting local businesses.
“Something iconic that brings people in”
“We need art people will travel to see”
ii. Develop art that encourages walking and exploration
Use murals, wayfinding art or playful installations that lead visitors into shops, plazas, laneways, cultural spots and hidden corners.
“Help people explore the area more”
“Art can guide you through the neighbourhood”
iii. Foster collaborative investment with businesses and cultural groups
Create joint projects between artists, businesses, community organizations and property owners.
“We want to work together on ideas”
“Businesses are willing to support projects if they benefit the whole community”
Future strategies
Community feedback
iv. Include public art in future developments
Incorporate materials, murals and creative design features into new developments, infrastructure upgrades and public-realm improvements.
“As the area changes, let art shape the look and feel”
v. Establish a neighbourhood activation program
Develop seasonal art programs, cultural events and recurring creative activities that help keep Chinatown lively, visible and economically supported.
“Keep the neighbourhood alive”
“We need ongoing activity, not just one-offs”