The New Gallery

The New Gallery (TNG) is a non-commercial artist-run centre that presents and promotes contemporary art in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

TNG is a not-for-profit arts organization and does not sell art. Instead, it provides a venue for artists producing new work that may be experimental in nature or not commercially viable. As with many other artist-run centres, programming is selected by a peer jury process. TNG is funded by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, by grants from private organizations, and by donations from the public. Artists who exhibit with TNG are paid CARFAC fees.

In addition to providing early exhibition opportunities for artists, TNG provided the impetus for the creation of a variety of other local cultural organizations, including EMMEDIA and the Mountain: Standard Time Performance Art Festival. TNG is also known for fostering the production and trade of Artist Trading Cards.

TNG has been known by two different names in the past: the Clouds 'n' Water Gallery and Visual Production Society and Off Centre Centre.

TNG was founded in 1974 as the Clouds 'n' Water Gallery. The initiating members, photographers Glen Oxenbury and Michael Feinburg, wanted to create an exhibition space for "alternative art forms, principally photography." The Gallery, which also included the Sancious coffee house, officially opened at 516a 9th Avenue SW, Calgary, on March 15, 1975. Although Sancious was intended to provide financial support to the new institution, the Canada Council and the Calgary Regional Arts Foundation (now Calgary Arts Development) also provided funds.

The gallery was formally incorporated as the Clouds 'n' Water Gallery and Visual Production Society on April 12, 1976. The Gallery encountered financial difficulties that year, and expanded Sancious to include a restaurant component. The expansion resulted in a de-emphasis on visual art and artists, and led to the suspension of the Gallery's Canada Council funding.

In 1978, the role of the coffee house and restaurant were minimized. Emphasis was instead placed on non-commercial performances, including experimental dance, music and poetry. By the end of that year, the kitchen was removed from the Gallery and the space was turned into an additional area for exhibitions. The renewed focus on art resulted in the reinstatement of Canada Council Funding.

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