Boyle Street and McCauley are neighbourhoods home to many artists: musicians, authors, poets, photographers, visual artists, and performers of all styles.

There are many reasons for this collection of creativity. These include lower housing costs, proximity to performance venues and events, and an area well served by public transit (making getting around without the expense of a car more feasible). Most artists live on a tight budget, although these days so do most of us.

That said, artists often gravitate to where there are other creative individuals, and opportunities to work at and perform or display their talents. The Aviary is just across the street from the north boundary of McCauley. CO*LAB is situated in the heart of Boyle Street, and now Club 97 is emerging as a performance venue. Giovanni Caboto Park hosts the Heart of the City Festival most summers. Paper Birch Books has been having some cool musical evenings, and spoken word and other art forms have been seen and heard at Boa and Hare in Chinatown. Felice Cafe in Boyle Street has music, comedy, and spoken word numerous times per month.

This is not a comprehensive list, as there are pop-up activities in the area all the time. Art - and those who create it - add quality of life to an area. Creativity builds connections. People from other parts of the city come to Boyle Street and McCauley as a destination to enjoy arts-related events. It is another way the area is put on the map for positive reasons that benefit Edmonton as a whole.

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The Art of the Area