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THE ROLE OF A MODERN ARTS CENTRE

 

Things are changing! As we break ground on a new cultural campus in the heart of Calgary’s downtown, we’re also ushering in a new era as we become Werklund Centre. The same destination for arts and culture that you know and love, but with more opportunities for breathtaking moments and energizing experiences. 

Currently one of the busiest cultural centres in North America, Werklund Centre (formerly Arts Commons) is a home to world-class arts companies, emerging artists, and a growing number of vibrant community groups. Through our commitment to work with families, young people, and teachers, we are also a beacon of excellence for arts education within Canada.

As we embark on a new era with an expanded campus of over one million square feet, we invite our community to join us in redefining Calgary’s culture through the power of arts, education, and civic engagement.

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MEET DAVE WERKLUND AND HIS FAMILY


“Integrity, building trust and being a force for positive change is at the core of who I am. Those are the values that my family aspires to and that inspired us to make this contribution. It is my sincere hope that Werklund Centre will be run with these principles in mind and through its innovative programs be a force for positive change, bringing families across all sectors of our communities together.”

- Dave Werklund.

We are proud to carry the Werklund family name as we enter a new chapter for our cultural community. A family that shares our passion for community wellbeing and our commitment to providing equitable access to artistic, cultural, and educational opportunities.

Learn more about Dave Werklund in the Curious Questions section below.

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A NEW LOOK FOR A NEW ERA

The new Werklund Centre logo strives to capture the essence of our cultural campus, iconic yet playful, and embodying an irrepressible energy.
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INDOOR AND OUT

From festivals and markets to live performances and campus-wide parties, the Werklund Centre campus has more for everyone. What are you looking forward to?
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A CENTRE FOR CONTINUOUS TRANSFORMATION

There’s nothing quite like a refresh and this one goes far beyond skin deep as we are inspired by a new exciting vision for Calgary. Are you as excited as we are? See if you can spot our new signage as it pops up around the building.
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LET'S BE INSPIRED TOGETHER

Take us with you when you pick up essentials, go for a hike, or just a walk around your neighbourhood. You inspire us!

Answers to Curious Questions


In recognition of the transformational gift of $75 million by Dave Werklund and his family, Arts Commons is renaming to Werklund Centre for generations to come.
Why the name Werklund Centre?

Born and raised on a farm near Valleyview, Alberta, Dave Werklund’s modest upbringing taught him the value of teamwork, innovation, and caring for both his community and the land. Those values remained strong as his career in Alberta oil and gas grew. For instance, recognizing an urgent need to resolve the industry’s environmental and waste management issues, Dave’s businesses have operated under the mantra “Protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink and the ground we walk on.” Dave Werklund is also a Calgary Business Hall of Fame inductee, a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence, a Member of the Order of Canada, and recipient of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal. Through the Werklund Family Office, Dave owns and manages a vast portfolio of companies and investments which allow him to engage in his favourite passion, philanthropy.
Who is Dave Werklund?

As an organization, we are excited to uplift Dave Werklund’s aspiration that this new cultural campus be in service to Calgary’s wellbeing. While still unapologetically a destination that revolves around the power of the arts, we seek to define a new role for modern, civic-minded arts centres: one that places the work of artists in greater dialogue with the world around us by blending arts, education, community engagement, social enterprise, and city-building.
Why did you remove performing arts from your name?

Absolutely, yes! At our core, Werklund Centre (formerly Arts Commons) is a vibrant home for all genres of arts, especially the performing arts. We remain committed to serving as a home to world class performances from all over the world as well as those created right here at home by resident companies Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Downstage, One Yellow Rabbit, and Theatre Calgary.
Are you still going to do performing arts?

With immense gratitude and pride for a historic donation of $75 million, the largest philanthropic gift to the performing arts in Canadian history, Arts Commons will celebrate the legacy of the Werklund family by renaming itself to Werklund Centre. The $75 million gift will go towards the cost of construction, create the Dave Werklund Education Wing, as well as establish four funds to support the sustainability of the following institutional priorities: education, accessibility, operations, and ongoing care of the campus. More than a gift, we are thrilled to be carrying the Werklund name as an embodiment of our shared values.
Why change your name at all?

Over the spring and summer months, Arts Commons will be taking the steps to transition to our new name of Werklund Centre. When the 2025 - 26 arts season launches in fall of 2025, we will officially welcome you to Werklund Centre.
When will you officially be Werklund Centre?

Werklund Centre is expanding on the vision and mandate of Arts Commons to better serve our ever-growing and ever-evolving community. When completed, the Werklund Centre will serve as the country’s largest performing arts campus, consisting of three elements: 1) a brand new three-level building containing a 1,000-seat theatre, a 200-seat studio theatre, and publicly accessible gathering spaces (scheduled for completion in late 2028); 2) a fully re-imagined Olympic Plaza that will honour and update our city’s Olympic legacy, while serving as a cultural playground for all Calgarians (scheduled for completion in late 2028); and 3) a bold modernization of our current facilities (scheduled completion TBD).
What more does the future hold for Werklund Centre?

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