Celebrate the arts with Mayor Gondek on Thursday, April 24
MEDIA RELEASE
April 10, 2025
For immediate release
(Calgary AB) – Calgary Arts Development and the Office of the Mayor welcome Calgary’s business and arts communities to the 2025 Celebration for the Arts hosted by Mayor Gondek. This eclectic evening celebrating the arts takes place from 6:30pm to 11:30pm on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in the lobby and on the stage of the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Arts Commons. Tickets for the event are $65 (regular) and $37.50 (artists) and can be purchased at artscommons.ca/whats-on/celebration-for-the-arts-2025.
“On April 24, we will come together to celebrate the incredible talent that shapes Calgary’s arts scene,” says Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “The work of our artists and cultural organizations brings us closer, inspires us, and helps us see the world through new perspectives. As we honour their achievements, we are reminded of the power of art to connect, to challenge and to transform our city. When the arts thrive, Calgary thrives, and we are all better for it.”
“This annual event celebrates artists, arts organizations and arts supporters in our city,” says Melissa Tuplin, Acting President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “We thank Mayor Gondek for hosting, and our gratitude goes to all the event sponsors and benefactors of the Cultural Leaders Legacy Arts Awards. Please join us for an uplifting performance on April 24. And don’t forget about the after party!”
The onstage celebration includes a showcase of performances by a variety of artists and arts groups from our community. It also recognizes recipients of this year’s Cultural Leaders Legacy Arts Awards. A legacy of Calgary’s year as a Cultural Capital of Canada, each award is funded by a contribution from a local philanthropist or organization. These awards are $5,000 cash prizes that support artists or arts organizations in seven categories:
- ATB Powering Possibility Through the Arts Award
- Calgary Catholic Immigration Society New Canadian Artist Award
- The Legacy of Doug and Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award
- Mamdani Arts Leadership Award
- RBC Emerging Artist Award
- Rozsa Foundation Emerging Arts Manager Award
- Indigenous Artist Award, sponsored by TD Bank Group
The onstage portion of the event is followed by an after party, completing the celebration in the Jack Singer lobby with food and a community dance party with DJ Goodword.
This event is made possible through the support of Champion Partner Rozsa Foundation; Artist Showcase Partner Calgary Foundation; Venue Partner Arts Commons; Lobby Activation Sponsor Tourism Calgary; Ticket Accessibility Sponsor Bird Creatives; VIP Sponsor Calgary Economic Development; and Patrons Alberta Blue Cross, DIALOG, ATB Financial and Calgary Downtown Association. We also recognize the generous contributions of Banff Centre and Calgary Public Library for their artist residency support.
Itinerary
Celebration for the Arts hosted by Mayor Gondek
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Jack Singer Concert Hall, Arts Commons
Doors Open: 6:30pm
Pre-Show Networking: 6:30 – 7:30pm
Onstage Celebration and Awards: 7:30 – 9:15pm
After Party in the lobby: 9:15 – 11:30pm
Tickets: $65 (regular) | $37.50 (artists)
Available at artscommons.ca/whats-on/celebration-for-the-arts-2025
About Calgary Arts Development
As the city’s designated arts development authority, Calgary Arts Development supports and strengthens the arts to benefit all Calgarians. We invest and allocate municipal funding for the arts provided by The City of Calgary and leverage these funds to provide additional resources to the arts sector. Our programs support hundreds of arts organizations, individual artists, artist collectives and ad hoc groups in Calgary.
calgaryartsdevelopment.com
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Further Information
Helen Moore-Parkhouse
Director, Communications and Events, Calgary Arts Development
Phone: (office) 403.264.5330 ext. 102; (mobile) 587.227.0150
Email: helen.moore-parkhouse@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
