COVID-19 pandemic still weighs heavy on Calgary arts scene [Video]

Calgary’s arts scene is getting creative as it struggles to boost its post-pandemic attendance.

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Multiple local productions have noted a steady dip in the number of tickets sold over the last four years. A lot of that can be chalked up to a COVID-19 lull, but the after-effects are still lingering.

“We used to sell over 100,000 tickets per season, and now we’re selling around 60,000,” Alberta Ballet’s artistic director Francesco Ventriglia told CTV News.

“As long as we want to give everything to the public, the public needs to play that part and come into the theatre and help us exist.”

It’s not just dance. Smaller-scale concerts have also seen an attendance dip, and larger productions aren’t immune, either.

Theatre Calgary’s executive director says the 2023 season saw a 40 per cent traffic decrease …