Music fans will be welcomed back to Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, beginning August 15 with a safe, architecturally-stunning, self-guided experience that takes you through the story of music in Canada.

Timed Tickets Required in Advance

Timed tickets are required for all visitors, including NMC Members. This is a new process to keep everyone safely physically distanced. Thank you for adhering to it, and kindness to staff on entry is essential.

First Four Weekends Free with Timed Tickets

The first four weekends of Studio Bell's reopening, from August 15 to September 6, are free courtesy of Bell, but tickets must be reserved in advance below. You will not be admitted without a timed ticket.

Masks Are Mandatory

Masks are mandatory as per the City of Calgary’s mask bylaw that requires the public to wear face coverings in all indoor spaces. If you don't wear a mask you won't be permitted to enter Studio Bell.

Registration Required for Admission:

What Can I Expect from My Studio Bell Experience?

Studio Bell will be operating at reduced capacity with timed-ticket entry in place, so you’ll feel like you’re at a museum after hours with lots of space for social distancing. Once inside the building, you’ll enter through the south stairwell and exit from the north stairwell to ensure visitors—and air flow—are moving in one direction. Physical distancing will be in effect and supported with wayfinding signage to ensure visitors are safely moving through the building and households are kept safely apart from each other. The third floor of Studio Bell, which includes high-touch point areas and interactives, will be closed. Instrument interactives on the fourth floor will also be restricted.

It will not be your typical experience, but there will still be lots to see and do at Studio Bell. Explore the story of music in Canada through a self-guided CanCon tour, or catch pop-up, socially-distanced instrument show-and-tells and science and sound demos. Guests will also be able to see musical instruments and memorabilia from the most recent 2020 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee, Jann Arden; and enjoy breathtaking architecture (photos are encouraged, but please wear your face mask at all times while in the building).

Complete your visit with a stop at the NMC Gift Shop. The NMC Gift Shop will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm to coincide with NMC’s regular hours of operations. Please note: The NMC Gift Shop is accessible from inside Studio Bell’s lobby. The 4 Street door will be used for exiting only.

Hours & Pricing

Cash will not be accepted onsite. Thank you for understanding!

Admission Rates:

Admission will be free by reservation courtesy of Bell for the first four weekends after reopening from August 15 to September 6. Beginning September 12, admission will be offered at a reduced rate, which must also be reserved in advance, for the remainder of 2020.

• $12 for adults
• $9.30 for students/seniors
• $7.20 for youth (age 3-12)
• Free for children (under 3) but tickets must be reserved in advance at studiobell.ca/general-admission.

Hours of Operation:

• Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Last entry at 3:30 pm

Tickets:

Online timed tickets are required before you visit. Tickets will not be sold onsite. Tickets are available online on a first come first served basis. Buy your ticket on this page above. Members are also required to reserve their online tickets.

Safety at Studio Bell

NMC will adhere to all Alberta Health Services guidelines to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, and visitors. Masks will also be mandatory as per the City of Calgary’s mask bylaw that requires the public to wear face coverings in all indoor spaces. Thank you for your kindness and respect to our staff as we try to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19.

You are not to enter Studio Bell if:

• You're ill or experiencing symptoms of COVID -19. These include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, and/or others listed on Alberta Health Services website here.
• You've been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with or has symptoms of COVID-19.
• You or someone in your household has traveled internationally in the past 14 days.

You will be asked to follow all Alberta Health Services guidelines while inside Studio Bell:

• Practice physical distancing: keep two metres between your household and others.
• Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds.
• Masks are mandatory as per the City of Calgary’s mask bylaw that requires the public to wear face coverings in all indoor spaces.

The following onsite amenities will be available:

• Washrooms will be open, with increased cleaning protocols in place.
• Hand sanitization stations will be located at Studio Bell’s entry and throughout the building. Please use them.

The following will be unavailable until further notice as we support a safe experience for all:

• Rosso Coffee Roasters
• Water fountains

• FAQs

  Do children under 3 years of age also need a ticket? Yes, book your ticket above.

  Are food and beverages available for purchase? Due to COVID-19 conditions, no food or drinks will be sold onsite, so please fuel up before you arrive. You may also bring a water bottle as water fountains will be shut off to reduce the spread of infection.

  What should I bring with me? Bring your own water bottle, your mask—and a great attitude!

  Can I leave Studio Bell and come back in? Once you exit you cannot re-enter without a new timed ticket. Visitors will be required to leave immediately after their visit to eliminate congestion within the museum.

  What if I buy a ticket and discover I'm unable to attend at the date/time I selected? No problem! If you need to rebook or cancel your timed ticket, please email info@studiobell.ca or call us at 403-543-5115. We will do our best to accommodate.

  Is the Lost & Found operational? Lost & Found is still available with safety measures in place.

  Is the gift shop open? Yes. After your visit, be sure to visit the NMC Gift Shop. Shop for exclusive NMC merchandise, find your new favourite book, or find a one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone in your life.

  Please note: The NMC Gift Shop is accessible from inside Studio Bell’s lobby. The 4 Street door will be used for exiting only.