Red Deer Summer Centrefest Society: Flexible Support for Local Arts
For 22 years, Red Deer Summer Centrefest has been bringing the joy of street performance to Central Alberta, creating a space where families can come together and experience the magic of live arts. Chelsea Bates, Co-Chair of the festival, has found that the artsvest Regional program has played a crucial role in revitalizing the event post-pandemic. In a city where arts programming can sometimes feel overshadowed, Bates believes in celebrating and treasuring what the community has—because every opportunity to engage with the arts matters.
For Centrefest, artsvest has been a game-changer. The flexibility of the program has been invaluable for a volunteer-led board balancing full-time jobs, making it possible for them to engage in mentorship and ongoing education. Bates highlights the program’s role in fostering new sponsorships, preventing the organization from over-relying on existing partners and encouraging fresh connections. The matching funds provided by artsvest have directly supported festival operations, ensuring its continued success. Additionally, the mentorship component—particularly insights from mentor Rachel Hilton—has helped Centrefest navigate the complexities of governance and funding.
When asked why local businesses should support the arts, Bates is clear: “Without funding partners, we wouldn’t exist.” In Central Alberta, where much of the funding is allocated to sports, arts organizations often operate on the margins. The support from local businesses not only provides financial stability but also validates the importance of the arts in the community. Bates encourages other organizations to join artsvest, emphasizing that while it may seem overwhelming at first, it’s an achievable and highly rewarding experience. artsvest has been a valuable source of continued learning and connection, helping Centrefest evolve and grow while creating magical experiences year-after-year for the Red Deer community.
Photos by Red Deer Centrefest Society
Funders
artsvest in Alberta is made possible by the Government of Canada and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts
