Regina artists looking to establish themselves will have a new space to hone their craft in the city’s downtown this fall. The Creative City Centre (CCC) is gearing up for the launch of its new space on Cornwall Street — one that’ll allow it to provide even greater service than before. CCC is a local, community-based art centre that’s been operating since 2011, previously on Hamilton Street. The organization hosts numerous events, including music concerts, training workshops, poetry slams, open mic nights, film screenings and visual art exhibitions. “You name it, if it has anything to do with the arts, we’re there,” Founder and CEO Marian Donnelly told CTV News. Donnelly says the organization hosted 150-200 events annually and served just under 5,000 people a year at its previous location — a number she expects to double at the new building. The new space, located at 1819 Cornwall St., will feature a new stage as well as new sound and lighting equipment, thanks to an $89,000 investment from the federal government’s Department of Canadian Heritage. Donnelly says the new and improved centre could help in boosting foot traffic toward the downtown. “We have always contributed to art and cultural activity since we opened our doors,” she said. Outside its doors, CCC has also participated in numerous events at Victoria Park and through the FROST Regina winter festival. “It’s just so important to have art and culture downtown,” she said. “People, when they’re visiting from anywhere, don’t go, ‘Hey, let’s check out the suburbs.’ They go, ‘Let’s go downtown. What do you have downtown?’” In addition to hosting community events, CCC aids aspiring artists with everything from grant writing workshops to social media and financial management. “A primary focus for us is trying to ensure that emerging artists here in the community have the tools they need to succeed,” she said. Capital campaign In 2025, CCC launched a capital campaign aiming to raise $1 million to cover the renovation costs of its new space. As of Aug. 12, the organization has raised over $960,000 but has been met with escalating costs since setting the initial $1 million goal. “We’re now looking at about $1.7-$1.8 million as our budget, so we still have another million to raise, and we’re confident we can do that,” Donnelly said. “But we always need support from the community. Every donation matters.” Donnelly said the organization decided to move to a new location based on two major problems at the Hamilton space: a lack of an elevator and a lack of proper maintenance work from the landlord causing persistent issues with the building’s roof. In terms of choosing the location, Donnelly said it was important for the centre to remain downtown. Donnelly says CCC’s new landlord is helping the organization finance the renovation throughout the ongoing campaign. While transitioning to the new location, CCC has been working out of a temporary office at Avord Towers while presenting events at places like the Artesian and Malty National Brewing Co. Additionally, CCC received $125,000 from the federal government to install wheelchair ramps and other hardware needed to make the new building fully accessible. The centre also receives about $24,000 annually from the City of Regina through an operating grant as well as $17,000 from the Saskatchewan Arts Board. CCC is planning to host an open house for the official launch of the new building on Sept. 10. With files from Gareth Dillistone
