Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge
The Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge (AAC) is a nonprofit arts organization in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, established on March 20, 1958, to encourage, coordinate, and promote arts activities in the region[1][3]. It provides leadership, advocacy, and education to artists across disciplines, aiming to enrich the cultural and economic landscape of southern Alberta[1].

History

The AAC’s origins trace to a council formed in 1949 to expand cultural programming[2], but it formally incorporated in 1958[1]. By the 2000s, it advocated for improved arts infrastructure, leading initiatives such as the 2007 Arts Re:Building Together campaign to modernize facilities, including efforts to retain the performing arts centre in municipal planning[4]. Its 50-year history is commemorated in the public artwork Sphere of Social Conscience and Influence, which honors the AAC’s role in uniting creative organizations to advance arts advocacy[5].

Activities and Programs

The AAC manages Casa, southern Alberta’s community art center, and organizes annual events such as Lethbridge Arts Days and Christmas at Casa[3]. Its retail initiative, AAC Works, showcases local artisans, while educational programs and gallery exhibitions support artists and engage the public[3]. The council collaborates with entities like the Lethbridge Public Art Committee to foster community-driven cultural projects[3].

Mission and Vision

The AAC’s mission emphasizes advancing arts through leadership and collaboration[3], while its vision centers on cultivating a dynamic, inclusive arts community that strengthens Lethbridge’s cultural identity[1]. Acknowledging its location on traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory, the council prioritizes reconciliation and Indigenous engagement[1].

(Business Registration Number: 118782846RR0001)

[1] https://artslethbridge.org/about-aac/ [2] https://artslethbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AAC-A-History-1983.pdf [3] https://www.downtownlethbridge.com/profile.asp?bPageID=53 [4] https://lethbridgeperformingartscentre.org/about/brief-history/ [5] https://publicartlethbridge.ca/art/sphere-of-social-conscience-and-influence/