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September will be a month-long celebration of Alberta's creativity, heritage and community spirit as Alberta Culture Days returns with free events and activities taking place across the province.

Beginning Sept. 1, Albertans will have opportunities to experience art, music, food, dance, history and cultural traditions while discovering the people and stories that help make communities across the province unique.

From communities large and small, local artists, cultural organizations and community groups will take part in Alberta Culture Days programming throughout September.

The celebration provides Albertans with opportunities to support local artists, learn about cultural traditions, explore heritage experiences and connect with their neighbours.

Last year, almost 240,000 Albertans attended Culture Days events across the province. The annual celebration also helps draw visitors to local attractions while providing community organizations with an opportunity to showcase local talent, heritage and stories.

The Alberta government is investing $380,000 this year to support 120 community organizations delivering Alberta Culture Days programming designed to reflect the distinct character and stories of communities throughout the province.

“Alberta Culture Days brings communities together to celebrate the people, traditions and stories that define who we are as Albertans,” said Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. “I encourage everyone to get out, support local artists and experience the culture and creativity that make Alberta such a special place to call home.”

Five Featured Celebration Sites

Five locations have been selected as featured Alberta Culture Days celebration sites. Each will host three days of events and programming:

• Calgary Public Library Foundation — Calgary
• Spruce Grove and District Agricultural Society — Spruce Grove
• Arts on the Ave Edmonton Society — Edmonton
• Arts Council Wood Buffalo — Wood Buffalo Region
• BIPOCFoundation — Lethbridge

For Arts Council Wood Buffalo, being selected as a featured celebration site provides an opportunity to highlight the creativity and cultural diversity of the region.

“Alberta Culture Days is a wonderful opportunity for arts and culture to shine across Wood Buffalo,” said Liana Wheeldon, executive director of Arts Council Wood Buffalo. “Our region is home to artists, makers, performers, cultural organizations and community members who bring creativity and unique stories to life in so many ways.”

Wheeldon said the organization is proud to help create opportunities for people to experience that creativity, connect with one another and celebrate the culture that makes the region a place to call home.

Free Admission to Provincial Museums and Historic Sites

Albertans looking to explore the province's heritage will also have another opportunity during the celebration.

Free admission will be offered at 20 provincially owned museums, historic sites and archives on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27.

With activities taking place throughout the month, Albertans can begin planning their Culture Days experiences by exploring the online event calendar and finding free activities taking place in communities across the province.

Alberta Culture Days is designed to give Albertans an opportunity to experience the arts and culture happening in their own communities while discovering something new.

Whether it is an art exhibition, musical performance, cultural celebration, historic experience, culinary event or community gathering, the month-long celebration offers plenty of ways to get involved.

The Alberta government says it is proud to support Alberta Culture Days and help communities share their stories, celebrate their heritage and inspire future generations to carry those traditions forward.

For Albertans, September offers a chance to do more than simply observe local culture.

It is an opportunity to experience it, support it and become part of it.

For more information about Alberta Culture Days, visit the Government of Alberta website at www.alberta.ca/alberta-culture-days.

(Source: Government of Alberta)