Admission to Studio Bell free on weekends for rest of 2021

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. (File)

CALGARY — To celebrate its fifth year of operation, admission at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, will be free on weekends for the rest of 2021, courtesy of ATB.

Free tickets can be booked in person or online and mask use is encouraged.

Foot traffic will be one way within the building, and high-touch areas will remain closed for the time being. Those restrictions will be phased out "gradually," officials said in a statement, however no timeline was given.

“As we continue to move toward recovery and think about our future together, we want to thank our community for their ongoing support and ATB for helping to make Studio Bell more accessible to the public,” said Andrew Mosker, president and CEO of NMC.

“Offering free admission will give more Calgarians, Albertans, and visitors to our city the opportunity to visit Studio Bell, experience the power of music, and celebrate our five-year anniversary with us.”

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, opened July 1, 2016, and since then, its focus has been to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music.

"NMC has inspired students, supported artists through all stages of their careers, and welcomed visitors from around the world lo learn about the ongoing story of music in Canada," read a release.

"The National Music Centre has built partnerships with organizations locally and across the country to help bridge divides between regions, musical genres, and each other, because NMC believes that music has the power to unite.

"As a registered charity, the National Music Centre will be encouraging music fans to leave a pay-what-you-can donation online or in-person to support NMC’s operations and programs."

Visitors can support NMC’s charitable efforts through the following ways:

Leave a one-time donation online at studiobell.ca/donate or when visiting Studio Bell in-person;

NMC is a non-governmental, non-profit registered charitable organization that relies on earned revenue and donations