Edmonton Arts Council

The Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada is announcing the creation of the Alberta Focus Fund—a $25 million investment over five years—to help artists and arts organizations across Alberta access the support they need to create, collaborate and connect with audiences, to the benefit of communities across the province.

The investment responds to what artists and organizations across Alberta have been expressing: there is tremendous creativity and potential in the province and, with additional support, even more of it can be realized and shared.

canadacouncil.ca

We’ve got you covered for the best arts and culture events in Edmonton from June 15 - 21 and all summer long! 📅

June 15 | Writers are welcome to join Edmonton Public Library Writer-In-Residence Alexis Marie Chute at a session to enhance their storytelling skills and nurture their love for fiction writing.

June 17 - July 12 | Returning to the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park, Freewill Shakespeare Festival will present “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Something Rotten” at this year’s festival!

June 18 | Join Longship Men for their one-night gallery social including local art, music food and drinks, and The Men We Carry remembrance wall.

June 19 | Making a positive sustainable fashion impact in our community is the Edmonton Sustainable Fashionshow. Support their efforts by attending keynote speeches, panel discussions, Q&As and a fashion showcase.

June 20 | Dress in your best traditional/formal wear for the inaugural Haus of Acahkos Indigi-Pride Gala with an evening of drag, music, singing and multidisciplinary arts.

June 21 | On National Indigenous Peoples Day, join the Royal Alberta Museum for a special screening of “nanekawâsis,” a documentary spanning four decades of Indigenous artist George Littlechild’s storied career.

These are just a few of the ways you can experience the arts this week! ✨

Find all of the best arts and culture events in the city at edmontonarts.ca/events.

Curious about the work of the Edmonton Arts Council? Our Annual Report for 2025 is out now and showcases our organization's work, activities, highlights and accomplishments over the past year.

Here is how we integrated arts and culture in all aspects of Edmontonians lives 🔽

- More than 1,600 art-loving Edmontonians helped us celebrate our 30th anniversary and 300 artworks in the City of Edmonton Public Art Collection through festivities in October including a playground opening, public art tours, pop-ups, contests, poetry readings and events in Churchill Square

- 309 artworks in the City of Edmonton Public Art Collection at the end of the year with 8 brand new artworks installed in 2025

- 145 Green Shack Shows across Edmonton

- 163 days of programming on Churchill Square

- 26 new artists and organizations were added to EAC Shop & Services

We invested in local artists, organizations, festivals and the greater arts community to support them in their artistic vision and contributions to our vibrant arts and culture landscape 🔽

- 228 paid opportunities for artists through our Community Animation events

- 13,015 tickets purchased and $165,358 in art and design sales at EAC Shop & Services

- EAC invested over $14 million in 234 artists and collectives, and 204 arts and festival organizations

Read the full report at https://www.edmontonarts.ca/about/research-impact/annual-reports for more details 📒🔗

Take action this weekend during National Indigenous History Month by joining us for an evening of art, storytelling and community as Indigenous Artist in Residence Arsene Arcand presents his final showcase of stone carvings inspired by traditional teachings of the moss bag.

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 8:00PM
Location: Solarium Room, ArtsHub Ortona (9722 102 St NW)
Registration: This event is free and open to the public, but space in the Solarium Room is limited. Please RSVP through https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/indigenous-artist-in-residence-final-showcase-by-arsene-arcand-tickets-1990998537221

Celebrate the culmination of Arcand's residency by joining us for live performances, an artist panel discussion and contemporary Indigenous cuisine!

Presented in partnership with the City of Edmonton Indigenous Relations Office.

What do we gain when we support the arts as a city? Substantial socio-economic benefits, for one.

According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Artworks Report, the arts drive socio-economic outcomes in cities:
✔️ Vibrant arts communities are magnets for skilled workers.
✔️ Participation in arts and cultural life accelerates newcomers’ sense of belonging and civic connection.

That's not all, EAC research shows:
✔️ Arts organizations generate over $171 million dollars of economic activity annually in Edmonton.
✔️ 79% of Edmontonians say that the arts are important to quality of life.

As Lorris puts it, "The arts contribute in so many ways, economically, culturally and by boosting community spirit. Edmonton is one of the most culturally rich cities in Canada, and we should be proud and grateful for that." Thank you to Lorris and over 115 others who have filled out our form ( https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Gv2UTuu2-U6eAei5HVrOAbjUpf61tzRMjbiZJQ9H--JUOFBQRzdSV0VBTUJPVjhaM1M4TExMUldZUi4u ) so far about why the arts matter to them. Join the conversation at or in the comments below.

Other ways you can make a difference:
✔️ Email the mayor or your city councillor with your arts story.
✔️ Support local artists and organizations by attending local arts events and markets (and bring a friend who hasn't been before!)

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/about/research-impact/why-the-arts-matter

Edmonton, how will you experience the arts this week? 📅🔽

June 9 | Pure country charm is coming to the Winspear Centre as the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra take on songs from country music legends.

June 10 | Get Us Together Music has a rocking Wednesday line-up with music from the Guts, Zerchronika and Hangxiety at The Buckingham.

June 11 - 13 | Looking for a fun night out? Come out to Citadel Theatre for NUOVA Vocal Arts hilarious, fast-paced contemporary comic opera "Speed Dating Tonight!"

June 12 | Did you know The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse has live music every Friday for all ages? Drop by the café to hear local multi-instrumentalist and versatile performer Chris Lam.

June 13 | Get your tickets to Tiff Hall's Very Lit Music Show for a show with high-energy performances, pure fun and spicy wolf-related 18+ content.

June 14 | Showcasing talented theatre writers, Script Salon welcomes Pamela Schmunk for their monthly reading with her new play, "Soul Search."

These are just a few of the ways you can experience the arts in Edmonton this week! ✨

Find all of the best arts and culture events in the city at https://www.edmontonarts.ca/events ◀️🔗

Join us for an evening of art, storytelling and community to celebrate the final showcase of Arsene Arcand, the City of Edmonton's outgoing Indigenous Artist-in-Residence.

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 8:00PM
Location: Solarium Room, ArtsHub Ortona (9722 102 St NW)
Registration: This event is free and open to the public, but space in the Solarium Room is limited. Please RSVP through the LINK IN BIO to secure your spot.

Presented in partnership with the City of Edmonton Indigenous Relations Office, this event highlights the vital cultural contributions of Arcand's year-long residency, connecting the community through immersive programming and ancestral traditions that reflect contemporary and traditional Indigenous art forms.

"Miyo Wâhkôhtowin" is the new exhibition highlighting Arcand's work over his year long residency. The stunning new body of work is inspired by the traditional teachings of the moss bag - symbolizing protection, warmth and human potential.

This final showcase is the beginning of a multi-location exhibit where you can find Arsene Arcand's work on display through June and July at Edmonton Arts Council Shop & Services, Ociciwan Contemporary Art Centre, The Works Art and Design Festival and others.

Celebrate the culmination of Arcand's residency and his vital contributions to our community by joining us on June 13th for live performances, an artist panel discussion and contemporary Indigenous cuisine!

Murals can be seen all over Edmonton and are a great way to explore new areas with free, walkable outdoor galleries in many districts throughout the city.

Here are some murals you may have come across in your everyday life that are a part of the City of Edmonton Public Art Collection! 🔽

- ARC by Scottsueme at Abbotsfield Recreation Centre

- Carousel by Nicole Galellis at Borden Park

- Community Windows by Coda Girvan at Castle Downs Park Washroom Facility

- Day Map / Night Map by Jill Stanton at Heritage Valley Park & Ride

- Have A Nice Day by Chelsea Boida & Mark Feddes at Northgate Transit Centre

- Neon Sky by Victoria Wiercinski at Jasper Place Leisure Centre

- Pillars of the Community by Layla Folkmann & Lacey Wilburn at Rogers Place LRT Vent

- The Ballroom by France Dubois at The Meadows Community Recreation Centre

- The Circle of Life by Alex Janvier at Muttart Conservatory

- When the Fish Flew by Heraa Khan at Zoie Gardner Park (Coming soon!)

🚶 Create your own mural walk by visiting our website at edmontonarts.ca/public-art and filter by category.

Check out other mural guides through Edmonton Mural Festival, Shop 124 Street & Area and Old Strathcona - Whyte Avenue to make a whole day of it for a free, family activity this summer! 📍