/reddeerartscouncil
Featured Member
Red Deer’s Scott Block Theatre is Under New Management
The ground is once again shifting in Red Deer’s creative community.
As of December 1, the Red Deer Arts Council has become the new operator of the Scott Block. The group has taken over the role of managing the Artifacts Properties-owned building from former manager Creative Twist Inc.
The council’s Executive Director, Suzanne Hermary, sees this as a very exciting opportunity to further diversify the council’s offerings.
The group already runs two visual arts spaces — a Community Gallery at its 49th Street office, as well as the Kiwanis Gallery in the downtown Red Deer Public Library. Hermary said managing the Scott Block will be a chance to shape the future of a performing arts space.
“It’s fully aligned with our mandate to diversify what we can offer the community,” she added.
Seeking to “inspire, support and stimulate arts and culture through education, advocacy and programming,” the social profit group has forged ties with many musicians and arts groups in the area. The council’s new role of managing the Scott Block should, therefore, increase the number of local concerts and plays that are staged there, said Scott Barnabe, the council’s performing arts lead.
“We can even reach out to arts organizations in other communities — Lacombe, Innisfail or Sylvan Lake — to see if they want to do a show in Red Deer,” he added. “This will expand our cultural scene.”
The Scott Block, in a former 1946 commercial building on Little Gaetz, is already home to Bull Skit theatre, as well as shows by Tree House Youth Theatre, Red Deer Players and Prime Stock Theatre. Some candlelight concerts and other music productions are also being held there.
Ula Chauvet, chair of the council’s board, said discussions will be had about other future uses of the space. She expects more performing arts classes, playwriting and theatre technician workshops will be held, as well as markets, out-of-town entertainment and conferences.
The Red Deer Arts Council fulfills many roles, including providing scholarships and learning opportunities for literary, visual and performing artists.
The group plans local Alberta Culture Days and otherinclusive events. The council organizes a community choir, drum circle, pop-up concerts, open studio tours, the First Friday extended gallery openings etc.
Having just celebrated a half-century anniversary, the council has actually been around for much longer. Hermary found archival evidence of an alliance-type arts group operating here since at least 1959.
The current Red Deer Arts Council was formed with the 2010 merger of three organizations — the Red Deer and District Allied Arts Council, Cultural Charter Partners of Red Deer and Culture Link.
New goals for 2026 include improving the Scott Block experience by launching a raffle fundraiser for new seating to replace the variety of folding chairs now in use, said Hermary.
More information will be available in the new year. Visit ScottBlock.ca.
