The Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation got its start in 1996 when a few likeminded individuals got together to form an organization to promote, present and foster the arts and support artists living and working in Canmore. Since then, the organization has had some great successes, and encountered all kinds of challenges.

Three of the most important achievements for the foundation are:

1. The Lamphouse Centre for the Arts Society was born as a result of the dire need in our community for a high quality public performing arts venue and cultural centre. This group, which spun off from Mountain Arts in 2001, has the full support of our local government, and has an ambitious capital campaign underway to raise the funds required to break ground on Town of Canmore-donated land on 7th Street in Canmore. (See www.LamphouseCanmore.ca)
    
2. ArtsPeak, Canmore's annual grassroots arts festival, got its start around the Mountain Arts table, and will celebrate the 6th annual event this coming June. (See www.ArtspeakCanmore.com)
    
3. The Vic Lewis Band Festival is the finest non-competitive school bands event in Western Canada, attracting upwards of 800 young musicians to Canmore each November. "The Vic", named for a beloved band music pioneer, got its start the same year Mountain Arts was born, and will celebrate its 13th annual event in November 2008. The Vic Lewis Band Festival attracts top-notch talent as guest directors, and has a considerable economic impact on Canmore during an otherwise quiet shoulder season weekend.