This release was issued under a previous government.
Culture Days is an annual event celebrating the arts, heritage, diversity and community spirit. Events range from traditional dance shows, concerts, historical exhibits and art walks to backstage tours, school activities and culinary samplings.
Events receiving provincial funding are designated official Alberta Culture Days Celebration Sites.
“Culture matters to the well-being of Albertans and the growth and prosperity of our province. The Government of Alberta is pleased to make this seed money available to event planners, which in turn will help draw attention to our amazing local culture, as well as provide Albertans with more opportunities to engage in cultural pursuits.”
Five organizations have been selected as Feature Celebration Sites and will present three days of programming:
- Creative Airdrie Society;
- Stony Plain Public Library;
- Vermilion Allied Arts Council;
- Nanton and District Chamber of Commerce; and,
- Regroupement artistique francophone de l'Alberta.
Eighty-seven other groups throughout the province have been designated Host Celebration Sites and will present one to two days of family-friendly programming.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer three days of cultural events and programming free-of-charge to our residents and visitors. Nanton has such an amazing array of local artists, musicians, rich western heritage and talent, but it can be difficult to find the means and opportunity to promote and share it. What a fantastic weekend this will be!”
Grants totaling $375,000 were awarded based several factors, including partnerships within the community; diversity of programming; incorporation of local talent; and interactive, family-friendly activities.
Anyone can host an Alberta Culture Days event. Event planning ideas and customizable promotional tools can be found at AlbertaCultureDays.ca. In 2013, 94 communities hosted 1,455 Alberta Culture Days events.
“The grand marché des arts will see as many as 10 community partners come together offering the public a weekend full of Franco Fun artistic and cultural activities in the heart of the French Quarter in Edmonton. A great platform for artists from all disciplines to showcase their product and interact with audiences of all ages!”
Alberta Culture Days is part of national Culture Days, a pan-Canadian movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadiains in the arts and cultural life of their communities.
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.