A Message from the President of the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation:

Welcome to the Canadian Mountain Art Foundation’s website. Everything you need to know about us is somewhere on the site, but there is so much more to us than what you see here! You may or may not know, but since 1996 we have been responsible for several ongoing cultural events that enhance Canmore’s rich cultural life:

artsPeak
This festival is now in its 8th year, and is the pre-eminent arts festival in Canmore. Over the course of one art-filled weekend, artsPeak offers festival guests a wonderful and inspiring array of venues and activities to see and experience. And most artsPeak venues and presentations are Free!

Vic Lewis Band Festival
Named to honour a Canmore pioneer who introduced band music to Bow Valley students in the 1940’s and who taught them for over twenty years, the Vic Lewis International Band Festival has earned a reputation as one of the best non-competitive music festivals in Alberta. Every November, for the past 14 years, more than 800 students in junior high and high school bands perform for adjudicators, participate in workshops, listen to faculty recitals and give public performances during the two days and two nights of the festival.

Live on 7th
Theatre Plus Bow Valley works hand-in-hand with the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation to produce, promote and present live music, dance and theatre in Canmore. A wide variety of musical concerts and family entertainment have been presented in the past number of years at great local venues such as the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall or St. Michael’s Church Hall. Past performances have included The Quebe Sisters Band, the Marc Atkinson Trio and Classical Music performances by rising stars.

Canmore Cultural Directory
A recent undertaking by the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation, the Canmore Cultural Directory is a comprehensive listing of individuals, businesses, non-profit groups and organizations involved in arts and culture in our community. The directory is a collaborative project of the Town of Canmore and the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation, and is updated regularly.

As a “snapshot” of the arts and cultural community in Canmore, this directory is a wonderful resource for anyone seeking information. You’ll find everything from the perfect performer to hire for an event, to the artist whose work you admire, to groups you’d like to volunteer with, to designers, photographers, writers or videographers to assist in your marketing.

Our objectives are to increase and broaden the opportunities for the residents of the Bow Valley to enjoy and participate in the arts by:

• providing the opportunity for the Bow Valley community to be exposed to a wide variety of Canadian artistic talent;
• presenting various artistic presentations and exhibitions designed to enhance the public's appreciation of the arts;
• stimulating and encouraging the development and high profile of the arts;
• co-ordinating arts activities in the community; and
• bringing to the attention of civic and provincial authorities the cultural needs of the community.

Our goal is to continue to improve and increase the ways in which we do these activities, to encourage collaboration, attendance and participation in local arts activities and events. In order to achieve our goals we need you -- whether you are an artist or engaged in other creative work, a businessperson, a visitor or a parent -- to let us know what artistic events and activities you have participated in and enjoyed, as well as what you’re missing and would like to see. After all, we are here to serve the artistic community as well as all Bow Valley residents.

None of the activities of the foundation would be possible without our volunteers — from the individuals who devote many hours to sit on the Board of Directors, to those who devote a few hours at artsPeak, the Vic Lewis Band Festival, or any of the other arts events around Canmore throughout the year.

Equally important to the foundation — to its voice in the community, and its strength — is its members. Membership is very inexpensive — just $10 per year — and adds your voice to those who maintain Canmore’s strong tradition of arts and culture. Please join with us as we continue to grow and celebrate arts and culture in Canmore and beyond.

Edward van Vliet
President, Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation