Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo’s Arts INCubator is moving into its next phase after Mayor and Council unanimously approved the purchase of the property and a $16,952,600 investment to bring the project to life.
Led by Arts Council Wood Buffalo, Arts INC will transform the city’s former cinema into a purpose-built creative hub in the heart of downtown. The facility will provide new spaces for recreation, community gatherings, and opportunities that empower artists and entrepreneurs to grow, innovate, and strengthen the region’s creative economy.
“Arts INC is a catalyst for downtown revitalization and a game-changer for the region,” says Liana Wheeldon, ACWB Executive Director. “By investing in arts and culture, our municipal leaders are enhancing the lives of everyone who calls our community home.”
The project first received $5M from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in 2022, allowing ACWB to purchase the building, which had sat empty since 2018. Additional support came from Northern Region Economic Development; Prairies Economic Development Canada;Â Syncrude, operated by Suncor; Bouchier; Birch Mountain Enterprises LLP; and other private donors. Construction began in October 2024, with Phase One completed on time and on budget in spring 2025.
Arts INC directly supports the RMWB’s Culture Master Plan, Cultural Infrastructure Needs Assessment, Municipal Development Plan, and Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan.
“Arts INC will be the region’s first standalone arts facility, a major milestone for our community,” says ACWB Board Chair, Will Collins. “It will play a vital role in the social, economic, and cultural well-being of residents and visitors.”
Arts Council Wood Buffalo will work closely with the RMWB on the project and, once complete, will operate Arts INC as a social enterprise, ensuring the long-term sustainability of arts and culture in the region.
