Studio Bell at 10: How Calgary Built Canada's Home for Music

CALGARY, AB – April 09, 2026

A decade after opening its doors as an architecturally stunning and audacious bet on Western Canada's cultural gravity, the National Music Centre (NMC) is launching a year-long celebration for the 10th anniversary of its Calgary home, Studio Bell. The festivities kicked off today with an intimate performance by acclaimed singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, Métis folk artist Andrina Turenne, and the Eya-Hey Nakoda drum group, who played the ceremonial first sounds in the building ten years prior. The event marks a full-circle moment for an institution that has evolved from a bold vision into a cornerstone of Canada's musical identity.

From 'Impossible Idea' to Cultural Anchor

When Studio Bell opened on Canada Day in 2016, its success was far from guaranteed. The concept of establishing a national music institution outside of Toronto or Montreal was met with considerable skepticism. Yet, the $191-million project, designed by architect Brad Cloepfil, became a powerful catalyst for the revitalization of Calgary’s East Village, transforming the once-neglected area into a vibrant cultural district.

“This milestone is especially meaningful given how impossible the idea of building the home for music in Canada, based in Calgary, once seemed,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO of the National Music Centre, in a statement. He noted the initial doubts about whether such a hub could succeed outside the country’s largest centres. “We’re incredibly proud to be here 10 years later. The National Music Centre was built on the belief that Canada’s music story deserves a home so that Canada’s stories will not be lost, and that home should help artists, audiences, and the industry grow together.”

The journey was not without its financial hurdles. The project’s final cost rose from an initial projection of $168 million, requiring significant fundraising efforts and a crucial $22-million injection from the City of Calgary in 2012 to keep momentum. These early struggles underscore the tenacity required to realize the vision. Today, having welcomed over one million visitors, Studio Bell is not just a museum but a key economic driver, injecting an estimated $10 million in direct spending into the local economy annually and anchoring a neighbourhood that now includes the city's new Central Library and other cultural landmarks.

A National Stage for All Voices

The National Music Centre's claim as "Canada's home for music" is substantiated by more than just its impressive visitor numbers. It is the physical custodian for four of the nation’s most important musical legacies: the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s Adisq Hall of Fame. This consolidation under one roof provides a unique, comprehensive narrative of the country's diverse musical history.

Further cementing its national mandate, the organization has actively worked to build bridges across the country. In late 2025, it opened a satellite office in Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles, in partnership with ADISQ, the association for Quebec's music industry. This move is designed to deepen ties with Canada's Francophone music community. A new Francophone music incubator program will facilitate artistic exchanges between the Calgary and Montreal locations, fostering collaboration and providing new platforms for French-language artists.

This commitment to inclusivity is also evident in the OHSOTO’KINO Indigenous Programming Initiative, which provides Indigenous artists with recording opportunities, development programs, and gallery space through its Speak Up! exhibition. By championing these voices alongside mainstream icons, the centre actively shapes a more complete and representative story of Canadian music.

A Year of Sound, History, and Innovation

To mark its anniversary, the NMC has curated a dynamic program of over 60 offerings that blend historical reverence with forward-looking innovation. A highlight for music history buffs is the Live from the King Eddy series, launching in July 2026. The series will see 10 Canadian artists, including Quebec's Sara Dufour and Montreal's The Damn Truth, record live albums in front of an audience.

The recordings will take place at the legendary King Eddy, the NMC's largest and most cherished artifact. The 99-year-old venue, once known as Canada's "Home of the Blues," was painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt as part of Studio Bell's construction, preserving a vital piece of Calgary’s musical soul. Adding another layer of historical significance, artists will use the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. This famed mobile recording unit, first commissioned by the Stones in 1968, was used to capture some of rock’s most iconic albums, including Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin IV and Deep Purple’s Machine Head, which famously chronicled its fiery recording session in the song "Smoke on the Water." Now permanently housed at Studio Bell, the studio offers artists a chance to create new music with a direct link to rock-and-roll royalty.

The year's exhibition schedule is equally ambitious. In May 2026, the interactive PlayLab will open as a hands-on sound playground for families. November will see the launch of Listen: The Pursuit of Perfect Sound, an immersive installation for audiophiles. A feature exhibition on 2026 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Nelly Furtado is on view through early 2027, celebrating her fearless career. Looking ahead to Spring 2027, Joni’s Jazz will explore the influential songwriter Joni Mitchell's deep relationship with jazz.

Major live events will punctuate the year. The official 10th anniversary will be celebrated on Canada Day with a massive party featuring A Sharon, Lois & Bram Singalong. EddyFest (August 14-16) will celebrate the King Eddy's legacy, and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony returns to Calgary on October 3. The NMC will also co-present the international Music Cities Convention in the fall and host a special performance by Jeremy Dutcher for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, reaffirming its role as a space for vital cultural conversations.