The arts are often seen as a quaint, marginal, and somewhat irrelevant activity since its contribution to the economy, as measured by GDP, is minimal. Alex, on the other hand, sees a thriving arts community as a critical component in considerations of where to work and where to live. With the exciting developments of the Glenbow Museum renovations and the Arts Commons transformation, both key contributors to Calgary’s overall Downtown Strategy, perhaps, the future role of the arts in the life of Calgary and its citizens takes on a new importance?