About Esker Foundation

Esker Foundation is a unique 15,000 sq. ft. gallery space in Calgary that connects the public to contemporary art through relevant, accessible, and educational exhibitions, publications, and programs for all ages from babies to seniors. Read more in the press release below.

Esker Foundation

Founded in May 2012, Esker Foundation owes its vision to its founders, Calgary-based collectors & philanthropists, Jim and Susan Hill, who wanted to create an accessible and welcoming space for people to experience contemporary art exhibitions and programming. An important part of this vision is to ensure that barriers to access are as low as possible. To that end, Esker is proud to offer free admission, programs, and parking to all visitors.

Through exhibitions, public programs, publishing, and commissioning activities, the Foundation supports artists and audiences through a variety of learning, connecting, and collaborative models. The gallery reflects on current developments in local, regional, and international culture; creates opportunities for public dialogue; and supports the production of groundbreaking new work, ideas, and research.   

The Project Space

In addition to the main exhibition space on the fourth floor of the Atlantic Avenue Arts Block, Esker Foundation hosts the Project Space at street level on 9th Avenue SE. As a vital alternative exhibition venue, the Project Space aims to engage the community by increasing the presence and accessibility of contemporary art. The Project Space program invites emerging and established artists to develop new, responsive exhibitions that directly address the neighbourhood and explore important contemporary issues. Exhibitions in the Project Space can be viewed day and night, seven days a week, and are on display for approximately three months, for a total of three exhibition changes a year.