/reddeerartscouncil
About Red Deer Arts Council
VISION STATEMENT
A vibrant community celebrating and nurturing arts and creativity.
MISSION / MANDATE
The Red Deer Arts Council is a non-profit organization that inspires, supports, and stimulates arts and culture through education, advocacy, and programming.
Who We Are in 2025
The Red Deer Arts Council is a community arts service organization for visual, literary, and performing member artists as well as cultural organizations to enhance our community through the arts. We offer learning opportunities, community gatherings, and programs for literary, visual, and performing artists of all levels including student, community, and professional. Come be a part of Creative Red Deer!
A VERY brief list of programs:
Visual Arts: We operate a public art and a community gallery and event space, we coordinate promotions for monthly art gallery openings around town, present a plein air paint out weekend, and host an annual artists open studio tour as part of Alberta Culture Days.
Performing Arts: We program an outdoor free summer pop-up concert series, host drum circles for community, support a collaborative marketing program with local theatre organizations including a website and print marketing, and we promote cinema, music, and dance in our promotions and at various events throughout the year.
Literary Arts: We host writing workshops, book launches, author readings, and other literary programs like our short story vending machine and our local-only book store.
Artistic Development: We provide workshop for artists’ professional practice development in collaboration with the Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery and provide 5 scholarships and 3 awards annually, supporting student and practising artists and celebrating volunteerism.
Outreach Programs: The Hub is our weekly program at our YMCA centering on arts programs for people with developmental disabilities, including music, movement, and artmaking, expressing their creativity and developing life skills. Our Ross Street Singers is a barrier-free community choir open to everyone that supports positive connections among seniors and individuals experiencing disabilities while joining voices together in harmony. Monthly Community Drum Circles bring together people of all ages to celebrate the rhythm of life that unites us all.
Culture & Creativity: We lead the Alberta Culture Days planning committee with many organizations and offer various community events throughout the year to celebrate what arts and culture bring to our lives. We lead advocacy for artists and the creative community in our gallery/office/gathering space that is accessible, welcoming, and open to the public.
Our History
In the spring of 2010, three organizations, the Red Deer and District Allied Arts Council, Cultural Charter Partners of Red Deer and District, and the Cultural Development Association of Red Deer (Culture Link) merged to form the Red Deer Arts Council.
The purpose of all three groups was to bring arts and culture to the fore in our community. Their objective has been to develop the artists, the arts and culture delivery system, arts and culture engagement, and audience development.
The Red Deer Arts Council creates a vibrant community for literary, performing, and visual artists and cultural organizations. Our organization builds on our past history, diverse experiences, and the talents of its founding members to create the strong and viable organization thriving as we grow into the future.
land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge this ground where we live, dance, share stories, sing, and serve community. We belong to this meeting place of Treaty 6 peoples to the north of the river, and Treaty 7 to the south. We are also part of Métis Nation, Region 3. We acknowledge the many Blackfoot, Cree, and Stoney First Nations, Michif, and Inuit peoples who have and continue to live on this land, creating, protecting, and advocating for its health. As we gather here, we commit to listening, learning, and acting in the spirits of reconciliation and gratitude with all our relations.
Safer spaces Commitment
We support accountable spaces that allow for safety, bravery, and creative freedom. People of all identities, including those from under-represented populations (e.g., IBPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and differently abled, etc.) are welcomed to be part of our inclusive community.
NEED A CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS POSTED FOR YOUR EVENT OR ORGANIZATION?
Follow this link to complete your request form and have the Red Deer Arts Council share your request with our community of artists! Whether you need a musician, performer, visual artist, or someone who'd like to sell products at your event, this form contains all the information that we need in order to market your opportunity for local artists and artisans!
