Music fans are welcome back to Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, with a safe, architecturally-stunning, self-guided experience that takes you through the story of music in Canada.
Please Note: 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.
Tickets & Pricing
Cash will not be accepted onsite. Thank you for understanding!
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.
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. Everyone, including NMC Members are required to reserve their online tickets here.
Admission Rates:
Admission is 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.
- Group rates for 10 or more people will be offered at an additional 25% discount.
Hours of Operation:
- Saturdays and Sundays beginning August 15, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Last entry at 3:30 pm
The Building
Studio Bell is the first national cultural institution dedicated to celebrating music in Canada in all of its forms. The 160,000-square-foot building designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture is composed of nine subtly curved interlocking towers clad in glazed terra cotta. And, it sounds as good as it looks! Referencing the design of musical instruments, the facility’s open spaces resonate with the sounds of music and activity, drawing visitors up through five floors of acoustically and visually distinct exhibition, performance, and gallery spaces.
Things to Do
It will not be your typical experience, but there will still be lots to see and do at Studio Bell. Explore a special self-guided Cross-Country Music Road Trip. To navigate through the tour visitors can snap a photo of the tour poster at the base of the South staircase. Guests will also be able to see musical instruments and memorabilia from the most recent 2020 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee, Jann Arden; hear pop-up instrument show-and-tells; 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.
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.
Museum Rules
At Studio Bell, we celebrate the stories of music in Canada through artifacts and rare instruments. Please help protect our collection, yourself, and others by following these important museum rules:
- Do not visit Studio Bell if you are exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19 or are feeling unwell.
- Mask up! The City of Calgary’s mask bylaw requires the public to wear face coverings in all indoor spaces. Entry will not be permitted to those without a face mask.
- Make use of the hand sanitizer stations and handwashing facilities located throughout Studio Bell.
- Practice social distancing, continue to move through the building, and avoid crowding around exhibits.
- Follow all posted directional or instructional signage.
- No smoking or vaping
- No food or beverages (except for bottled water)
- No pets—only licensed service animals are permitted
- No flash photography or tripods
- No touching exhibitions, cases, or artifacts
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 aren't wearing a mask or proper face covering as per the City of Calgary bylaw.
- 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
Lost Something?
Our Lost and Found is located on Level One at the Security office.
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FAQs
How long will it take to move through the building with the limited experience? We estimate two hours or less. We ask guests to stay no more than two hours to provide space for future timed-ticket holders and prevent crowding.
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.