Art Gallery of Alberta and Explore Edmonton announce exciting partnership

EDMONTON - The Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA) and Edmonton Convention Centre (ECC) are thrilled to announce a new partnership. Starting September 18, the ECC will be the exclusive provider of events, catering and facility booking services at the nationally renowned AGA.

This partnership celebrates a strong community alliance and civic pride as the ECC turns 40 this year and the AGA celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024. The ECC’s team of trusted professionals will manage events and catering services in the AGA’s architecturally unique and dynamic building. 

Explore Edmonton Corporation and its venues, such as the ECC, have a tried and tested infrastructure in place for booking events, as well as an experienced event management team that will support the AGA. This includes culinary expertise, led by executive chef Serge Belair and his team of award-winning chefs, incorporating the same commitment to locally sourced ingredients and elevated culinary experiences guests have come to expect from the ECC.

The ECC is home to more than 30 cooks, with Red Seal chefs including Belair, who recently won bronze at the Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa; executive pastry chef Jason Wang will be competing at the 2024 IKA/Culinary Olympics, and sous chef Frances Flores who recently won gold at the Global Chef Challenge – Americas Regional Semi-Finals in Santiago, Chile.

“We are excited to welcome the ECC to the AGA,” said Catherine Crowston, AGA executive director and chief curator. “The AGA has stunning spaces for weddings, celebrations and corporate events of all sizes. Partnering with the award-winning team at the ECC will give our guests memorable and lasting experiences.”

“When we were approached by the Art Gallery of Alberta, we were excited at the potential to share our exceptional culinary expertise with new guests at AGA,” said Arlindo Gomes, vice president of business development and venues for Explore Edmonton. “There is a lot of benefit from these two important civic assets teaming up, notably we at Explore Edmonton are proud to be able to support additional revenue generation for the Art Gallery of Alberta.”

With its soaring spaces, state-of-the-art features and remarkable exhibitions, the AGA has a wide variety of beautiful spaces and will offer unforgettable art and culinary experiences unlike any other venues in Edmonton. The teaming of two award-winning organizations will create memorable event experiences at the AGA.  

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For more information, please contact: 

Courtney Higgins
Head of Marketing and Communications
c:  780.392.2493
e: Courtney.Higgins@youraga.ca

Quinn Phillips
Manager, Strategic Communications, Explore Edmonton
c: 780-914-7179
e: qphillips@exploreedmonton.com

About the AGA

The Art Gallery of Alberta is a centre of excellence for the visual arts in Western Canada, connecting people, art and ideas. We are a non-profit organization that has been in Edmonton, on Treaty 6 Territory, for almost a century, engaging imaginations and transforming lives through art. The AGA is focused on supporting diverse artists and the presentation of original exhibitions from Alberta and abroad.

About Edmonton Convention Centre

Since 1983, the Edmonton Convention Centre has been serving the Edmonton community. It is recognized by the International Association of Venue Managers as one of North America’s top five performing venues. They are dedicated to delivering remarkable experiences, nurturing human connections through warm hospitality and attention to detail.