www.facebook.com/reddeerartscouncil
Benefits of the Red Deer Arts Council
The Red Deer Arts Council builds and strengthens our community through arts and culture. We offer a variety of programs and services including:
- The Kiwanis Public Art Gallery at the Red Deer Public Library which gives Alberta artists an opportunity to highlight their work in a public setting. First Fridays Opening Receptions occur monthly to help connect exhibited artists with the community who is appreciating their work.
- The Red Deer Arts Council Community Gallery at our office location, offering a space for developing, student, and under-represented artists to display their works, often for the first time.
- The Art Speaks Learning Series of artist talks, educational opportunities, and workshops for artists, often presented in collaboration with member organizations like the Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery.
- Creative Community networking events and social activities that provide opportunities for artists to mingle, connect, and collaborate. Our Arts & Culture District Collab Creative Conversations have been building towards new opportunities to strengthen our downtown core's community awareness.
- Scholarships and Awards - we offer and adjudicate five awards for students, 2 for practicising artists and one nomination based Volunteer Spirit award to help artists continue their development.
- Advocacy for artists with local and provincial governments, providing networks and connections beyond Central Alberta.
- Promotion of artists, arts activities and cultural events to increase awareness of the creative community in Red Deer.
- Leading the partnership of organizations for Red Deer's Alberta Culture Days celebrations held during the month of September each year.
- The Open Studio Tour welcomes the public into visual artists' creative process with visits to their studios around Central Alberta during Alberta Culture Days.
- The Ross Street Singers Community Choir for everyone providing singers of all ages and abilities a space to enjoy the gift of music and togetherness through song.
- Events including Drum Circles, Community Dances, Tea Parties, Concerts, Hat Parades, Plein Air Painting Events, Writers' Workshops, and more. Some of these activities are barrier free, while others do have fees for participation. Members often receive a reduction in the cost to attend. New ideas are always arising and we look forward to getting our community activated and unified to better demonstrate the innate value of arts in our daily lives.
- Literary, Performing, and Visual Arts committees of volunteers who help us push forward and make wonderful experiences happen.
- The Hub arts-based educational programs for people with developmental, cognitive, and physical disabilities, their communities, and the public who wish to enjoy an opportunity to create, socialise, feel valued, and express themselves confidently.
Member Benefits
- Be highlighted in the monthly Red Deer Arts Council Newsletter featured as part of Red Deer SCENE Magazine to create awareness in the broader arts community!
- Be featured in our website's Arts Directory, including images and links to websites and social media;
- Receive and be featured in weekly emails sharing arts and culture events in Red Deer including classes and workshops, calls for entry, job postings, concerts, theatre & dance performances, art openings, events, and community-related news;
- Volunteer opportunities to contribute and lead the Arts Council through committees or on our board of directors - fundraising, advocacy, communications, gallery installations, event planning, etc.
- Special member pricing for many Arts Council-planned workshops and events,
- Have your artworks, books, CDs, and promotional materials displayed and/or for sale in the Arts Council office on a consignment basis.
- Calls for submission to visual arts exhibits, live performances, and literary opportunities where applicable throughout the year.
- Be an active voice when advocating for economic dignity and fair compensation for artists, and unify with like-minded voices when speaking with industry, government & other stakeholders,
- Strong connections to Tourism Red Deer, The City of Red Deer Arts & Culture Services, the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Business Association;
- Volunteer opportunities with like-minded individuals and other networking gatherings to foster collaboration and creation;
- Assistance for emerging artists to develop their portfolios, artist statements and proposals as they establish careers in the arts;
- Connecting artists to foster cooperative collaborations with other community members and culture organizations.
