Council asked to fund 'cultural capital' bid

A Calgary alderman wants the citycome up with $2 million to pursue a federal designation as a cultural capital in 2012.

Organizersneed the cash in order to getCalgary's bid ready, Ald. Brian Pincott said.

Each year, the federal government recognizes several citiesof different sizes as cultural capitals, allowing them to showcase their arts and culture sectors.

"Our culture goes beyond, you know, the Stampede. It goes beyond our arts and culture district. It goes to our multicultural communities, it goes to our aboriginal heritage, it goes all the way across the board. This is a celebration of who we are," Pincott said.

The project won't rest entirely on money from the city, he added.

"We're looking for money from the federal government for this, looking for money from the city to support this and money, all the organizations are going to be kicking in," he said.

"This is celebrating our city this would be bringing in people from across the country to celebrate with us."

2012 will mark the centennial of the Stampede, the Calgary Public Library as well as the city's recreation department.

Ottawa will make a decision on next year's cultural capitals later this fall.