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Professional Associations

It often takes more than a good singing voice, or a convincing monologue to become a successful performer in Alberta. Dedication and a strong support system are key ingredients on the road to fame and fortune, and still, artists must draw from additional resources in order to keep afloat in an increasingly competitive industry. For these reasons, it is rare to find a performer unattached to professional associations, organizations that offer their members a variety of services including representation and education.

Professional groups have been around for as long as there have been musicians, actors and dancers to populate them. The Calgary Operatic Society was established in 1895, and for a time, produced an opera ever year, beginning with the Pirates of Penzance in 1896. The Musicians Protective Association was formed in 1907, its mandate to advocate the rights of local artists, as was the foundation for the Edmonton Musician's Association, still in business today.

The groups profiled in this section include community based organizations such as Alberta Dance Alliance and Music Alberta, which welcome members with skill levels ranging from amateur to professional. Then there are the more exclusive clubs, such as Alberta Ballet and Edmonton Opera, where membership is accepted only after an extensive auditioning process. These particular organizations also serve as places of employment for the province's top performers, showcasing Alberta talent to audiences from around the world.

Each of these groups, and countless others, have contributed immeasurably to the development of arts in Alberta. Though the arts community consists of thousands of talented individuals, it is the organizations that support and manage their endeavours, making their artists available to the public. To learn more about these institutions, click on the quicklinks section of this page.

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