The Camrose area has a long history of participation in – and support for – the performing arts. From piano recitals at the turn of the century and vaudeville shows at the Bailey Theatre in the 1920s, all the way to About Time Production’s live theatre for children and the Camrose Academy of Dance, the residents of Camrose and the surrounding area have loved performing – and have appreciated – the arts.
This longtime love affair with drama, art, music and dance has resulted in a multitude of Camrose spaces used as venues. These offer various options for both arts groups and audiences, but none were designed to accommodate full-stage performances. In fact, Camrose and Wetaskiwin community groups have had to travel to Leduc in order to perform for families and friends.
A partnership for the Performing Arts
The Government of Alberta, the City of Camrose, Camrose County and the University of Alberta have a joint vision for the Camrose Performing Arts Centre. It will be a state-of-the-art facility where local citizens, students, and faculty will come together, not only as audience members, but as artists and performers. The magnificent building will complement existing arts facilities within the city. As part of the agreement, it will be available to community groups, visiting performers and students for both classes and performance space.
The Camrose Performing Arts Centre will be a monument to the importance of culture in community stability and growth, specifically in rural Alberta.
Our Vision
Our vision is of a home for the Performing Arts in the Camrose region. Each partner has signed a firm commitment that the facility will be available to the entire community: school groups, community members, university faculty and students, as well as visitors to the area, will be welcome. With this vision comes the need for support from others who are committed to the arts, to the area’s growth and development, and to the benefits that an artistic experience brings to both performer and observer.
The Camrose Performing Arts Centre partnership is seeking $5 million to make this vision a reality. A contribution towards this fundraising goal will help ensure that arts and culture remain a critical part of this rural community, just as they are vital in a university education.
The Performing Arts Centre will add to the quality and vitality of the communityexperience. Within Camrose and across the surrounding region, it will help attract people and investments, contributing to the area’s reputation as an exciting and dynamic place to live, work and raise a family.
What will happen to the recently renovated Bailey Theatre in downtown Camrose. This new centre seems an unnecessary tax drain.
The performing arts centre serves a different audience and offers more options for group performance. Artists who would perform in the Bailey – and their audiences – will still find a home there, while the performing arts centre expands Camrose’s options for larger groups and larger audiences.