Alberta Culture Days
Join in the province’s largest celebration of arts, heritage, and community spirit
- Price: Free
Celebrating a milestone year, Alberta Culture Days is bound to be bigger and better than ever with hundreds of free, hands-on, interactive activities. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event and offers the public a chance to discover their inner artist, experience their heritage, and celebrate what it means to be Albertan.
“The Government of Alberta is proud to support Alberta Culture Days and the communities that put on amazing events every year,” says Alberta’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda, in a statement. “For 10 years, we have celebrated Alberta’s diverse and vibrant art and culture community, highlighting all the amazing aspects that make this province unique. The arts and cultural sector not only helps make lives better for Albertans, it is also a significant economic driver supporting local businesses and creating jobs”
Across the province, 68 organizations have been named official celebration sites and in Calgary cSPACE King Edward is a central hub with three days of activities planned including free workshops, performances, and exhibitions, along with a showcase of temporary art installations.
But that’s not all. In Calgary alone there are 77 activities scheduled meaning there’s something for everyone. Here’s what we are most looking forward to:
Umbrella Visual Arts Conference 3: Equity and Access
September 29 & 30, 2017
West Village Theatre (2007 10th Ave. SW)
Free registration
An AlterNATIVE screening followed by a full day of inspiring and engaging activities, partners Elephant Artist Relief and EMMEDIA welcome everyone who engages with and is impacted by the visual arts in Calgary.
elephantartistrelief.com
Culture Days at cSPACE King Edward
September 29 – October 1, 2017
cSPACE King Edward (1721 29th Ave. SW)
Free
This three-day celebration of the arts starts on Friday at 11:00am with a free Culture Days Kick Off Party, presented in partnership with The City of Calgary, but the place will be packed all weekend long with food trucks, live music, special events, and arts programming. Drop-in to enjoy a variety of activities for all ages including gallery openings, glass blowing demonstrations, speakers, family-friendly performances, and much more. There’s even a public art panel discussion at 7:00pm on Saturday featuring cSPACE’s public art teams moderated by cSPACE tenant and Public Artist Douglas Driediger of Metrographics.
cspacekingedward.com
The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta
September 29 – October 1, 2017
Multiple locations
Free
Take advantage of our warm fall and hit the road with this art-centric Southern Alberta tour. From Millarville to Black Diamond and along Highway 22, The Leighton Art Centre and Bluerock Gallery are hosting special arts events all weekend long and two renowned Alberta artists’ studios— Firebrand Glass Studios, and Kristoferson Studios—will be open to the public.
themostbeautifularttourinalberta.com
PIY: Print It Yourself! Public Printmaking Festival
September 30, 2017, 11:00 – 4:00pm
Alberta Printmakers (4025 4th St. SE)
Free
Its seventh annual public printmaking and open studio festival, Alberta Printmakers’ Studio and Gallery opens its doors to the public for this hands-on event. Drop-in and get involved in various Print It Yourself activities including a linocut station, child-friendly station, and a silkscreen t-shirt station.
facebook.com
30th Anniversary Show Reception
September 30, 2017, 2:00 – 5:00pm
Wallace Galleries (500 5th Ave. SW)
Free
In celebration of 30 years in business, Wallace Galleries is hosting a very special exhibition featuring every artist currently represented in the gallery. Featuring brand new works, check out the show at this reception.
wallacegalleries.com
Along the Bow II Artist Reception
September 30, 2017, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Alberta Craft Gallery, cSPACE King Edward (208, 1721 29th Ave. SW)
Free
A collection of 16 Alberta Craft Council members who live along the Bow or whose work is directly inspired by time spent on the river, celebrate this diverse range of work at the artist reception.
facebook.com
Culture Shock Urban Youth Event
September 30, 2017, 5:30 – 9:00pm
Genesis Centre (7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE)
Free
For the third year in a row, Antyx Community Arts and 1000 Voices have partnered with the Genesis Community Centre to provide a platform for youth to display their talents in a 2v2 breaking battle.
facebook.com
Fall Paint-Out
September 30 & October 1, 2017, 11:00am – 4:00pm
Leighton Art Centre (282027 144 St. West, Foothills)
Free
This outdoor painting party gives you a chance to unleash your inner artist. Head to the Leighton Art Centre for mini-workshops and artist demos, an opening reception, plein-air painting, and a lecture on contemporary realism and the landscape. You can even bring a picnic and enjoy the whole day.
leightoncentre.org
Culture Days at containR in Sunnyside
September 30 & October 1, 2017
containR (1020 2nd Ave. NW)
Free
Springboard Performance wraps up containR’s final season in Sunnyside with its Alberta Culture Days programming. Featuring the Alberta Bound Market, live music, a circus camp, and more, enjoy this community gem one final time.
facebook.com
Alberta Culture Days runs September 29 to October 1, 2017 throughout the province. A full schedule of events can be found at albertaculturedays.ca.
