Celebration for the Arts

An event celebrating arts and how artists tell our stories, connect us and make meaning in our lives

Celebration For the Arts Hosted by Mayor Jeromy Farkas, May 4th, 2026

About Celebration for the Arts

The Celebration for the Arts is a collaboration between Calgary Arts Development and Mayor Jeromy Farkas that continues the annual tradition of bringing the business and arts sectors together to celebrate Calgary artists and arts organizations and recognize outstanding achievement. 

In consultation with business and cultural industry advisors, this event was developed as a new way of expanding the circle of Arts Champions in Calgary. The event celebrates the arts and how artists tell our stories, connect us and make meaning in our lives.

2026 Celebration for the Arts hosted by Mayor Farkas

Mayor Jeromy Farkas stands smiling on a stage in front of a drum kit. He is wearing a large brown robe and holding a green light saber.

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Celebration for the Arts hosted by Mayor Jeromy Farkas on May 4, 2026 at Werklund Centre’s Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary. Approximately 900 people were in attendance for an evening featuring performances by a variety of artists and arts groups from our community and recognizing outstanding achievements in the arts with the presentation of the 2026 Cultural Leaders Legacy Arts Awards.

Watch this page for information about the next event in 2027!

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Past Events

2023 Celebration for the Arts

More than 800 people were in attendance for an evening featuring Poet Laureate Wakefield Brewster as emcee and more than 200 local performers, hosted by Mayor Gondek on October 18, 2022 at the Jack Singer…Read more

2022 Celebration for the Arts

Close to 700 people joined Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Calgary’s arts and business leaders at the 2022 Celebration for the Arts hosted by Mayor Gondek on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Jack Singer Concert…Read more

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Cultural Leaders Legacy Arts Awards

The Celebration for the Arts includes the announcement of the winners of the annual Cultural Leaders Legacy Arts Awards. These annual awards support artists, arts organizations, arts administrators and volunteers.

A legacy of Calgary’s year as a Cultural Capital of Canada, each Cultural Leaders Legacy Arts Award is funded by a contribution from a local philanthropist or organization with matching money from Calgary Arts Development.

Learn more about the awards

More Information

Our Commitment to Equity

Our commitment to Indigenous reconciliation, racial equity, disability justice, and gender and sexual diversity.

We acknowledge that the land we gather on, Mohkinsstsis, is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories, the Tsuut’ina Nation and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. Today this land is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 5 and 6 as well as many First Nations and Inuit from across Turtle Island.

We acknowledge that there has been art, music, dance, storytelling and ceremony on this land since time immemorial and it is in the spirit of this land and its people that we do our work.

Please see our full Commitment to Equity, including the sections on our aspirations, accountability, current initiatives and EDIA history.