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IAACC Media Release

Tuesday May 5, 2026

For Immediate Release

GlobalFest Move to Spruce Meadows Threatens Funding for East Calgary Arts, Cultural and Community Programs

CALGARY, AB – International Avenue Arts and Culture Community (IAACC), the founder of One World Festival, has learned that GlobalFest, a festival rooted and created in the heart of East Calgary for over two decades, intends to relocate from Elliston Park to Spruce Meadows with an announcement planned for tomorrow. This move has not been in consultation with local groups who are saddened and disheartened by the news.

This move will have significant impacts that are socio-economic in a historically diverse underserved area. Karim-McSwiney, Director and Founder of IAACC and Executive Director of International Avenue BRZ states: “It was the best place in the city for this to be held. This is a significant threat to the local arts scene, and a loss of vitality to the neighbourhoods and groups who benefit from this event. Furthermore, local businesses—which typically see a significant surge in sales during the festival—will face a loss in revenue, as will property owners who benefit from parking and exposure.”

Although GlobalFest has been an independent organization for some years with IAACC’s role now being a method of fundraising for arts and culture in East Calgary through parking revenue. This is a bitter pill that is hard to swallow as this loss of the community event will also threaten IAACC’s staff and its work in the area as a result. IAACC raises about $60,000 per year based on the sales of parking spaces for the event.

IAACC then uses these funds for artists who are part of the Artist in Residence program, art hives, and Lantern Fest. The other community groups that IAACC support through these funds includes local scouts’ groups, 12 Community Safety Initiative, and Elephant Artist Relief Society.

“Losing this revenue will literally also remove educational opportunities, skill building and accessible programming from the community for arts programming,” adds Karim-McSwiney, Founder and Board Member of IAACC and Executive Director of International Avenue Business

Revitalization Zone(BRZ) . “This will also impact local businesses who see an increase in sales during this event, along with other small businesses and properties who rely on the extra revenue.”

IAACC adds that losing the event will likely make the spectacle less accessible for many who live in the area and who look forward to the annual event. Similarly area artists, pop-up merchants and busking musicians who animate the sidewalks during the festival will also suffer.

We are very thankful to GlobalFest for the work they have done to better our community and the support over the years. It is our understanding that excessive costs have made it difficult to operate in the city. We welcome the opportunity to take part in any further conversations regarding this matter.

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History: Back in 2002, Karim- McSwiney was meeting with Norman Leach about a Calgary Economic Development initiative, and he mentioned that he was working with a fireworks group who tried to set up an event in Elliston Park in 2001 but the community and city rejected them. Karim-McSwiney was on maternity leave in 2001 and was not aware of this. Upon hearing it for the first time from Leach she promised to champion it to local community groups. Over the course of many meetings, she introduced the idea and worked with another community advocate Staff Sgt. Markland to ensure them that this would be a great event for the community. Coincidentally, Karim-McSwiney was also behind the International Avenue Arts and Cultural Centre initiative from 1998 onwards. In 1997 cultural and artist groups came to the BRZ on why there was no venue for them to showcase their cultures and arts without having to leave the area. Karim-McSwiney approached Calgary Foundation who then helped to fund a feasibility/needs assessment of the need for a facility in the area. The study by IBI Group did in fact confirm that this area was underserved despite the abundance of arts and culture in the area. From the meeting of Leach the concept of GlobalFest was born from 2002 onwards with the help of then President Doug Lauchlan of IAACC, Karim-McSwiney and Dann the festival was born. See below.

Contact:

Alison Karim-McSwiney, Executive Director, INTL AVE BRZ and Director, Media Spokesperson, IAACC, 403-608-7288. Available for media interviews

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