EDMONTON – The Kaleido Family Arts Festival is about more than music and performances, it’s also about helping to revitalize a neighbourhood.
Around 50,000 people came to the weekend festival this year which transformed Alberta Avenue into a massive canvas.
“We have really high density of artists that live in the neighbourhood, and we said we love this place and let’s invite everyone in Edmonton to our front porch,” said Christy Morin, festival artist director.
The family-friendly atmosphere at the festival is in stark contrast to the reputation Alberta Avenue had a few years ago.
In 2005, the “Alberta Avenue Revitalization Initiative” was launched to help battle a high-rate of crime in the area.
“It was a community that needed to be brought back up to its feet and strengthened,” explained Morin.
“The whole dream of arts on the ave. and working together with community and artists was to edify this neighbourhood and to find ways to build and to bring back life.”
Public consultation with residents and business owners spawned a vision for the community.
The city also invested towards streetscape improvements and a storefront façade grant program, providing several businesses in the area with facelifts.
“What’s really significant is the community and business association, the arts, bylaw, and EPS, neighbour empowerment team, all the different stake holders and avenue initiative all working together,” said Joachin Holtz, Alberta Avenue Business Association.
The work isn’t finished, but residents believe the improvement has been significant.
“Seems to be a bit more safer walking down here at night maybe. I don’t do that, but I see a lot of other people do. I think it’s improved a lot,” said Frank Machalek.
Organizers said it cost around $300,000 to hold Kaleido. It was made possible largely through grants and sponsorships.
With files from Global Edmonton Reporter Shallima Maharaj