A GRAND Story
How The GRAND Reimagined Itself and Withstood the Test of Time
When The GRAND first opened its doors in 1912, Calgary was turning from settlement to city on the rise; growing fast, dreaming big, and ready to take its place on the national stage. Founded by Senator James Lougheed, The GRAND stood as a beacon of modernity and ambition in a city of just 50,000.
Praised as “Canada’s Finest Theatre” by The Morning Albertan, and applauded by those that graced The GRAND’s stage, the space brought something bold and new to Calgary. Crowds came from as far as Airdrie and Okotoks to attend opening night, and its gilded balconies and private boxes spoke to the grandeur and aspiration of early 20th-century Calgary.
A Theatre That Changes with the City
As Calgary grew, so did The GRAND. Ownership and artistic direction shifted over the decades, each era leaving its mark. The ornate balconies eventually came down, not as a loss, but as a necessary evolution. updating the space for safety and accessibility. By the 1940s, the theatre had transitioned into a movie house, a change that brought mixed reactions. While some mourned the shift from live performance to film, others saw opportunity: cinema opened the theatre’s doors to a broader audience, at a time when art was becoming more feasible.
A Home for the Bold and the Curious
Since its revitalization in 2006, The GRAND has become a home for contemporary performance. In 2025, as the city continues to grow and welcome new communities, we are proud to say we continue being a beacon of innovation in Calgary’s downtown.
To both respect the history written on these walls, and to ensure our next chapters are vibrant, fearless and inclusive, we continue to put in the effort to reflect the full spectrum of Calgary’s creative community, making The GRAND a place where new stories, perspectives, and communities converge.
Our goal is to solidify our presence as an essential Calgary arts centre that supports the production of performances and where artists can make a home to create and present their ideas. Currently, we do that through welcoming Artists in Residence like Salingpusa, who are an organization showcasing the Filipino artist community in Calgary. They found a base in The Vintage Room, and The GRAND’s central location makes it a perfect space for community convergence and artist-driven placemaking, two of Salingpusa’s core mandates.
We also continue the tradition of screening films, with our Friday movie nights where we partner with local businesses to provide a welcoming and comfortable place to gather in the downtown core. We are also a venue which welcomes musicians, dance performers, and conferences.
The many artistic communities of Calgary, and throughout Canada, continue to gather here and The GRAND remains a place where people come to experience something meaningful together.
We are proud to be part of Calgary’s creative heartbeat, a place that honours the city’s past, present, always evolving.
