Each Feature Celebration Site will partner with other community organizations to present family-friendly activities throughout the Arts Days weekend: September 17 to 19. Among the planned activities are a free evening showcase highlighting local artists. The sites were selected based on their enthusiasm and participation during Alberta Arts Days 2009.

“In previous years, we’ve seen some really amazing relationships develop from the partnerships that were created during Arts Days,” added Blackett. “I encourage arts organizations to look beyond their usual contacts and reach out to other community-serving organizations. Use Arts Days as an opportunity to reach new audiences and help involve our young people in arts and cultural pursuits that might not otherwise have the opportunity to do so.” 

In 2009, 116 communities hosted 571 Arts Days events. Now in its third year, Alberta Arts Days will continue to encourage communities and organizations to enter into creative and unique collaborations when planning their celebrations. To register their Arts Days events and access planning and promotional tools, community groups are encouraged to visit AlbertaArtsDays.ca.

Alberta Arts Days is helping to achieve the goals of our province’s cultural policy, The Spirit of Alberta, which is designed around four keystones: access, capacity, excellence and cultural industries. It is also part of National Culture Days - a pan-Canadian movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. For information on National Culture Days visit culturedays.ca.