Page 17 - XperienceAlberta-EDA-2025

capacity of over 1,600, and the space
is growing. The centre is currently
completing an expansion project, which
will provide even more space for education
programs and community spaces. The
“jewel” of the expansion is a new 550-seat
performance hall for emerging performers
and community music groups.
Edmonton is also home to the
Edmonton Arts Council, a nonprofit that
invests in artists and arts organizations,
and promotes Edmonton’s vibrant
arts scene. Calgary Arts Development
allocates municipal funding, providing
artists, arts organizations and collectives
with funding, and sponsoring public art,
elevating the arts in Calgary. In 2023,
Calgary Arts Development provided over
$7.5 million in operating grants to arts
organizations and over $2 million in
funding for individual artists.
“Alberta is a good place for musicians
because there’s good infrastructure here,”
says Andrew.
Organizations like Winspear and
NMC, along with countless quality venues
around the province, including nearly 600
between the province’s two major metro
areas, mean artists can make a living in
Alberta and build their talent.
Alberta, Andrew says, is still an
affordable and supportive place for young
artists to launch their careers. While
popular cultural hubs like Toronto and
Vancouver deal with high cost of living
and skyrocketing housing costs, Alberta’s
affordability makes it a great place to live
as an artist.
“I think the most important thing is
we just have a very supportive community
of doers who like to make things happen.
And I think that that’s important, because
if you come here, you can easily become
part of the music community, and find
your way in it,” adds Andrew.
Andrew is also the CEO of West
Anthem, an organization working to
stimulate Alberta’s music economy and
build business capacity.
A 2020 report from West Anthem
shows Alberta’s music industry
contributes $2.01 billion to the provincial
GDP and more than 21,000 jobs between
Edmonton and Calgary.
Alberta’s growing film and television
industry also opens doors for the local
music industry, in roles like film scoring,
music supervision and sound design.
Nickelback, and the many other
successful artists from Alberta, show just
what kind of opportunities exist in the
province to develop as a musician and
launch a successful career.
“I think the Alberta music industry
could be a world leader,” says Andrew.
“Looking after the artists that live here and
work from here, and helping them have as
many opportunities as possible to create
from here, be based here, but make an
impact on a global scale.”
BY THE NUMBERS
$23.1 MILLION
Value of grants awarded by the Alberta
Foundation for the Arts in 2024
625
Grants awarded in 2023-2024 by Alberta
Foundation for the Arts
$5.1 MILLION
Alberta’s culture industry GDP
48,491
Number of culture jobs in Alberta in 2022
1:4
Every dollar of support from the Government
of Alberta into film and television production
generates four dollars of investment back into
the province
Sources: Government of Alberta, Canada Council for the Arts,
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
AT A GLANCE
Woodstock of the North
Alberta is home to some of Canada’s largest music festivals,
from Calgary’s EDM fest Chasing Summer to the Edmonton Folk
Music Festival. One of the province’s longest running festivals,
the North Country Fair, has been an Alberta tradition since 1979.
Nestled along the southern shore of Lesser Slave Lake near Driftpile
Cree Nation, the festival began as a celebration of the summer solstice.
Sometimes called the “Woodstock of the North,” the diverse lineup
ranges from folk to blues, and kicks off Alberta’s summer festival season.
The sun barely sets during this festival, where the music goes until
dawn — a shining example of Alberta’s vibrant festival and music culture.
Celebrating Taber’s Indigenous Heritage
Located an hour from the Montana border, the southern Alberta
town of Taber is best known for its corn. But the town also hosts a
variety of arts and cultural events throughout the year — including
its first powwow in 2024, a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture.
Powwows are gatherings mostly centred on dance competitions, and
typically include Indigenous performances, food and traditions. These
events are an opportunity for Indigenous people to connect with each
other and for visitors to experience and appreciate Indigenous culture.
Presented by the Eagle Spirit Nest Community Association, Taber’s
powwow attracted over 1,500 visitors, who enjoyed dance and drum
competitions, vendors and food trucks.
Taber Mayor Andrew Prokop told the Taber Times, “It’s part of Taber’s
and Alberta’s roots. This is a really big cultural exchange.” This event marks
a wonderful celebration of Indigenous heritage in the Taber area, while
showcasing Alberta’s small towns as hubs for meaningful cultural experiences.
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