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The arts change lives. They spark imagination, deepen understanding, and create moments of connection that stay with us long after a performance ends, or we leave a gallery space. At Werklund Centre, we believe everyone deserves access to these transformative experiences — and your support makes that possible.
For over 40 years, Werklund Centre has been Calgary’s cultural home: a place where world class artists, local creators, and diverse communities come together. As the third largest performing arts centre in Canada and the largest in Western Canada, we are committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone feels welcome in our spaces.
But we can’t do it alone. Ticket sales and earned revenue only cover approximately 60% of what it takes to bring extraordinary performances, exhibitions, and community programs to life, along with sustaining vital operations of our facilities. The rest is made possible by our incredible donors and partners, just like you.
Learn more about Ways You Can Support Werklund Centre.
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You bring world class artists to Calgary
Your generosity helps us welcome internationally acclaimed performers, visionary creators, and groundbreaking storytellers to our stages. Through our presenting series and partnerships with resident companies, Calgarians experience performances that rival the world’s great cultural capitals — without leaving our city.
From global touring productions to celebrated musicians, dancers, speakers, and cultural icons such as Jane Goodall and Morgan Freeman, your support ensures that Calgary remains a destination for exceptional artistic experiences.
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You inspire learning through our arts education programs
Each year, more than 20,000 students, teachers, and education professionals participate in our arts‑integrated learning programs. These experiences help young people build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and see the world through new and creative perspectives.
Your support helps us reach more classrooms, more educators, and more young minds — shaping the next generation of creators, innovators, and engaged citizens.
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You champion local artists
Werklund Centre is a vital part of Calgary’s artistic ecosystem, and partners play a key role in sustaining it. TD Incubator is an artist development program that supports visual, performance and multidisciplinary artists who have been historically underrepresented on mainstream stages or galleries, giving them paid presentation opportunities, and unique professional development sessions.
Your support helps local artists build sustainable careers and share their work with broader audiences.
You make the arts accessible
Accessibility is central to our mission, and donor support is what turns that mission into reality.
- Subsidized ticketing programs allow us to bring remarkable arts experiences to deserving communities in Calgary at a fraction of the cost, or free.
- Our visual arts galleries and media arts installations are always free to the public.
- ASL interpretation for presentations, and Assisted Listening Devices usable throughout the entire campus.
Your gift ensures that everyone — regardless of background or circumstance — can experience the joy and inspiration of the arts.
You strengthen Calgary’s cultural and economic vitality
When you support Werklund Centre, you’re investing in more than the arts — you’re investing in a thriving, connected, and vibrant city.
- More than 320,000 people attend ticketed events each year, with another 150,000 participating in free events and gatherings.
- Over 200 community groups use our venues annually for cultural celebrations, graduations, recitals, and more.
- Werklund Centre and our resident companies contribute $55M to Alberta’s GDP each year, sustain 683 full‑time jobs, and generate $5.5M in government revenues.*
Your generosity fuels a cultural ecosystem that strengthens community pride, supports local jobs, and enriches the social and economic fabric of Calgary.
*Deloitte Impact Study, 2019
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