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Damon Johnston – Artistic Director

Office: 403 269 1904

Concert Info: 403 214 1811
FAX: 403 269 5391
Email: info@proartssociety.ca

Office/Mailing Address: 604 1 St SE Calgary, AB T2G 5H8

Board of Directors 2012

• Chairperson: Marnie Patrick-Roberts
• Treasurer: Sandra Millar
• Secretary: Brian Dean
• Directors: Peggy Morton, Irene Dean, Rev. Leighton Lee, Grant Reddick
• Artistic Advisors: Ruth Parent, Brian Farrell, Paul Grindlay

 

Links to some organizations we work with

Calgary Arts Development Authority http://www.calgaryartsdevelopment.com/

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts http://www.affta.ab.ca/default.aspx

Calgary Musicians Association http://www.calgarymusicians.org/

First Thursdays in Calgary’s Cultural District http://www.firstthursdays.ca/

The Calgary Foundation http://www.thecalgaryfoundation.org/

The Alberta Lottery Fund http://albertalotteryfund.ca/

The Calgary Opera http://www.calgaryopera.com/

The Calgary Folk Festival http://www.calgaryfolkfest.com/

AFRIKADEY! Arts and Culture Society http://www.afrikadey.com/

One Yellow Rabbit’s HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO https://www.hprodeo.ca/

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks http://www.decidedlyjazz.com/

University of Calgary Department of Music http://music.ucalgary.ca/

The Alberta League Encouraging Storytelling http://ecn.ab.ca/~tales/

Calgary Spoken Word Festival

Calgary KIWANIS Music Festival

Soulocentric Performing Arts Society

Rosanna Terracciano, Flamenco Artist

Calgary Arts Summer School Association

Calgary Concert Opera Company

Canadian Music Centre – prairie region

 

A Brief History of the ProArts Society

                                                                                                                                                        The ProArts Society began in 2002 when frequent requests to use the Cathedral Church as a place for concerts and special events confirmed its attractiveness as a venue for artistic expression. Registered as an Alberta Historic Site in September 1974, the Cathedral is itself a work of art, with priceless stained glass windows, ornate woodwork, and resonant acoustics. A committee was established to investigate the use of the Cathedral as a venue for the performing arts. The ProArts Society was registered in Alberta in November 2002, and designated a charitable organization in February 2003.

 

The Society was fortunate to receive the support of local music instructors who used the Music@Noon format to showcase the talents of their students. Organists were delighted to play the Cathedral’s restored 1905 Casavant Freres pipe organ. Classical guitar concerts were particularly well received, as were classical performances on the cello, harp, flute, and trumpet.

 

Originally, the Church of the Redeemer was named the “Pro Cathedral”for the Anglican Diocese of Calgary. The designation “Pro” was meant to be temporary until a more elaborate structure could be built. However, it became apparent that the dream of a larger Cathedral was unrealistic; the term “Pro” was dropped and the Church of the Redeemer was simplified to Cathedral for the Diocese. For many years the church was fondly referred to as “the Pro” and the ProArts name reflects this affectionate term, along with the affirmation of the positive role the arts play in our community.

 

The ProArts Society continues to grow and explore new avenues of artistic expression, while remaining true to its vision of enhancing and enriching the Calgary arts community by engaging artists to perform in the historic Cathedral Church. What started as a modest weekly recital has blossomed into an established concert series that has provided a showcase for hundreds of Calgary’s performing artists.