Arts & Culture

Edmonton has earned the title of Canada’s Festival City and was even designated Canada’s Cultural Capital for 2007. Through continual projects and innovated developments, Edmonton’s profile as Festival City continues to build momentum. Arts and culture are the very soul of Edmonton creating an oasis for creativity, exploration and accomplishment that are vital in supporting and sustaining our community. Check out just a few of our offerings.

DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICT

Art Gallery of Alberta: The new Art Gallery of Alberta (open since January 31, 2010) is an 85,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility and a premiere presentation venue for international, Canadian and Aboriginal art, education and scholarship.  Designed by Randall Stout Architects, Inc. of Los Angeles, the building is itself a work of art. Located in the heart of Edmonton’s Downtown Arts District on Sir Winston Churchill Square, the gallery secures Edmonton’s reputation as a world class city and centre for visual art. 

Telephone: 780.422.6223
Website: www.youraga.ca 

The Citadel Theatre: The Citadel houses five performing spaces. The theatre is home to the Eldon and Anne Foote Theatre School which offers theatre classes, workshops and camps for children, teens and adults. The theatre has invested in the creation of new works and has committed to developing and premiering new Canadian plays.

Learn more about the Citadel Theatre through the stories of people who've experienced it at www.edmontonstories.ca.

Telephone: 780.425.1820
Website: www.citadeltheatre.com  

The Francis Winspear Centre for Music: The Francis Winspear Centre for Music is home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The intimate surroundings of the Winspear Centre offer an up-close musical experience like no other. The incredible acoustics of the hall allow music to be performed 'unplugged' and are equal to the great concert halls of the world. The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’s current roster includes over 50 musicians from Canada and around the world, performing a wide-ranging repertoire from the great classical masterworks to pops and children's concerts.

The Francis Winspear Centre for Music is home to the largest concert organ in Canada: the magnificent Davis Concert Organ. This beautiful creation in wood and metal was built by Orgues Létourneau Limitée of St. Hyacinthe, Québec and features 96 stops, 122 ranks, and 6,551 pipes – a stunning aural as well as visual delight.

Telephone: 780.429.1992 (Winspear Centre); 780.428.1108 (ESO)
Website: www.winspearcentre.com and www.edmontonsymphony.com  

Metro Cinema: Metro Cinema is a community-based non-profit society devoted to the exhibition and promotion of Canadian, international and independent film and video in Edmonton. To this end, Metro exhibits an eclectic blend of film, video and media arts that are not screened anywhere else in the city. Metro's focus is on presenting a broad selection of educational, cultural and innovative works.

Telephone: 780.425.9212
Website: www.metrocinema.org  

ART GALLERIES

The Edmonton region is home to more than 60 art galleries. In addition to the Art Gallery of Alberta (listed above), some of Edmonton’s other favorite galleries include:

The Alberta Craft Council Gallery and Shop: Crafts are an integral and unique part of our cultural heritage. Throughout the year, over 200 Alberta Craft Council members present their work at the Alberta Craft Gallery and Shop. Since 1980 the Alberta Craft Council has organized exhibitions, publications, marketing ventures, education projects and information services for its members and the general public.

Telephone: 780.488.5900
Website: www.albertacraft.ab.ca  

Gallery Walk of Edmonton: The first gallery walk of its kind in Canada was formed in 1981 to promote both art and artists of merit within the community, focusing especially on work by Canadian artists. The member galleries are easily accessible within walking distance. There are two self-guided gallery walks organized each spring and fall. Member galleries listed below.

Telephone: 780.488.4892
Website: www.gallery-walk.com

Agnes Bugera Gallery Inc. features a large collection of original contemporary paintings such as landscapes, abstracts and still life in oil, acrylic, watercolor and also bronze and steel sculptures.

Bearclaw Gallery carries a diverse selection of Canadian Aboriginal art including traditional Native and Inuit arts and crafts, original paintings, sculptures, masks and carvings.

Electrum Design Studio, "where fine jewellery and art meet." Fine gems and one-of-a kind jewellery in an art gallery setting that features work by emerging and established Alberta artists.

Peter Robertson Gallery represents a roster of over 30 emerging, mid-career, and leading Canadian artists, with a wide range of media and subject matter.

Scott Gallery features contemporary Canadian fine art, and exhibitions devoted to gallery artists whose works are recognized for their expressiveness, personal vision and staying power.

TU Gallery is an innovative gallery specializes in handcrafted wood art and furniture, picture framing, fine art, metal sculpture, hand blown glass, fused glass and expressive photography.

West End Gallery of Edmonton is known for discovering and presenting the finest examples of art from a broad spectrum of Canadian paintings, one-of-a-kind sculptures and contemporary glass art works.

MUSEUMS

History-buffs could spend several days – if not weeks! – exploring all of the museums and historic sites located in the Edmonton region. Here is a sampling of some of the region’s finest stops:

Fort Edmonton Park: It's living history at its best! Join the costumed historical interpreters and try your hand at living life as an early pioneer. Visitors experience life as it was at the 1846 fort and on the streets of 1885, 1905 and 1920. There are activities for all ages - antique vehicle rides, pioneer children's games, learning to bead, playing pool, darts and horseshoes, taking aim at the shooting gallery, and even 1920s style miniature golf. Take time to visit one of the many food service outlets and period retail shops. All-you-can-ride steam train and street car rides are included in the admission.

Overnight it at the Park! The historic Hotel Selkirk is located in the centre of historical Fort Edmonton Park with rooms decorated in the 1920 style but with modern comforts like wireless internet.

Learn more about Fort Edmonton Park through the stories of people who've experienced it at www.edmontonstories.ca.

Telephone: 780.442.5311 (General information); 780.496.7227 (Hotel Selkirk); 780.496.8771 (Media inquiries only)
Website: www.fortedmontonpark.ca and www.hotelselkirk.com  

Royal Alberta Museum: The Royal Alberta Museum, one of Canada’s most popular museums, offers a range of exhibitions and activities for every age level and interest. Behind the scenes, 13 curatorial programs are responsible for building and making accessible some of the finest cultural and natural history collections in the country. Enjoy the Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture, examine minerals, gems and rocks in the Natural History Gallery, meet unusual insects from around the world in The Bug Room or explore Wild Alberta and learn about animals and fossils. Special feature exhibitions often include art and photography.

Learn more about the Royal Alberta Museum through the stories of people who've experienved it at www.edmontonstories.ca.

Telephone: 780.453.9100
Website: www.royalalbertamuseum.ca  

Ukrainian Cultural Historical Heritage Village: Catch a glimpse of what life was like for Ukrainian immigrants between 1892 and the 1930s at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. Just 25 minutes east of Edmonton along Highway 16, the village was established in 1971. Costumed role-players re-create the lives of pioneers and bring history alive on a site that includes more than 30 restored heritage buildings including three churches of Eastern Byzantine Rite, a fully-functioning grain elevator, blacksmith shop and burdei (sod hut). Have some fun and interact with the costumed interpreters, they’re “real” characters!

Telephone: 780.662.3640
Website: www.ukrainianvillage.ca  

THEATRE & DANCE

With distinguished drama programs at the University of Alberta and the demanding visual and performing arts programs at Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton has become home to 20 theatre companies and dozens of acting co-ops. Alternative, collective, community based, improvisation and dinner theatre are just part of what a theatre lover will find in this city. Eight theatre companies can be found in the historic Old Strathcona district alone.

Ballet & Opera at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium: Both Alberta Ballet and Edmonton Opera call the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, their home, producing full slates of top tier cultural productions each year.

Established in 1963, Edmonton Opera is a regional opera company recognized as a leader in the production and promotion of innovative, challenging and audience-driven opera.

Alberta Ballet is Canada's third-largest ballet company. With its cutting-edge repertoire and talent lead by Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître, Alberta Ballet has remained at the forefront of the national and international arts scene.

Telephone: 780.424.4040 (Edmonton Opera); 780.428.6839 (Alberta Ballet)
Website: www.edmontonopera.com and www.albertaballet.com  

Brian Webb Dance Company: As well as providing the Edmonton community with its only full season of contemporary dance, the Brian Webb Dance Company offers workshops to the local dance community, and each of its presentations includes workshops for youth where they are given the opportunity to interact with professional dance artists and to experience dance as a vibrant communication tool. The company truly believes that dance comes from the community for the community.

Telephone: 780.452.3282
Website: www.bwdc.ca  

Catalyst Theatre Society: Catalyst is an Edmonton-based theatre company that creates bold new productions under the leadership of Artistic Director, Jonathan Christenson. Catalyst's work can be described as "small-scale spectacle" - big plays with big ideas, stunning, surreal designs, evocative musical scores, and a heightened approach to language, movement and performance style. The company has been recognized nationally and internationally for its unique theatrical vision.

Telephone: 780.431.1750
Website: www.catalysttheatre.ca  

The Varscona Theatre: The Varscona Theatre is a live performance venue in the Old Strathcona district. Located in a historic fire hall, the Varscona has been operated by a consortium of small theatre companies since 1994, including Rapid Fire Theatre, Shadow Theatre and Teatro la Quindicina (collectively known as The Varscona Theatre Alliance). The theatre is also the home of the nationally-renowned, improvised weekly soap opera Die-Nasty, and the improv variety show Oh Susanna!

Telephone: 780.433.3399
Website: www.varsconatheatre.org  

Walterdale Playhouse: Walterdale has been run on passion since its inception. At 50 years old, the Walterdale Playhouse is a rich part of Edmonton’s culture as well as Canada’s. As a community theatre, the productions on this amazing stage come together through the efforts of volunteers. Walterdale has mounted almost 500 productions, from farce to melodrama, comedy to avant-garde and everything in between.

Telephone: 780.439.2845
Website: www.walterdaleplayhouse.com  

ARTS & CULTURAL FESTIVALS 2010

Edmonton is an oasis for creativity, exploration and accomplishments that are vital in supporting and sustaining our community. Here is a list of many local festivals that Edmonton will be hosting in 2010:

Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival: April 19 - May 4
Edmonton Poetry Festival: April 19 - 25
Dreamspeakers International Aboriginal Film & Television Festival: June 2 - 5
Nextfest - Next Generation Arts Festival: June 3 - 13
Rapid Fire Theatre Presents Improvaganza: June 16 - 26
The Works Art & Design Festival: June 25 - July 7
Edmonton International Jazz Festival: June 25 - July 4
feats Festival of Dance: June 26 - July 4
Freewill Shakespeare Festival: June 29 - July 25
Edmonton International Street Performers Festival: July 9 - 18
A Taste of Edmonton: July 23 – Aug 1
Blueberry Bluegrass & Country Music Festival: July 30 - Aug 1
Servus Heritage Festival: July 31 - Aug 2
Edmonton Folk Music Festival: August 5 - 8
Animethon: August 6 - 8
Cariwest - Edmonton Caribbean Arts Festival: August 6 - 8
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival: August 12 - 22
Stony Plain Cowboy Poetry & Country Music Festival: TBC
Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival: August 20 - 22
Sobeys Symphony Under The Sky: September 3 - 6
Accordion Extravaganza: September 24 - 26
Edmonton International Film Festival: Sep 24 - Oct 2
Edmonton Chante, Edmonton’s French Music Festival: Sep 24 - Oct 2
Edmonton International LitFest: October 20 - 24
Global Visions Film Festival: November 4 - 7 

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 

Amy Wolski
Travel Media Relations Manager, External Relations 
780.969.0481
awolski@edmonton.com

Bin Lau
Director of Communications, External Relations
780.969.0463
blau@edmonton.com

Jenifer Christenson
Executive Director, External Relations 
780.917.7890
jchristenson@edmonton.com