Arts Elevated (FAC): Full Schedule

1:00pm MDT

Friday Add-On - Studio Bell: National Music Centre (NMC) - Educator Guided Tour

Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

Add-on sessions are $25, payable during online registration. If you've already paid, we'll add the session to your Sched manually. To add it now, edit your registration.Deepen your connection to Canada’s musical story with an exclusive guided tour of the National Music Centre at Studio Bell. Join fellow arts educators for a 60‑minute exploration across all five floors of cutting‑edge music...
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Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Studio Bell: National Music Centre 850 4 St. SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1R1

Friday Afternoon Add-On, Music

1:00pm MDT

Friday Add-On - Jazz Education Class at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD)

Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT

Decidedly Jazz, Danceworks

Add-on sessions are $25, payable during online registration. If you've already paid, we'll add the session to your Sched manually. To add it now, edit your registration.Experience the energy, history, and creative spirit of jazz in a 90‑minute education session at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. Join fellow arts educators for an immersive class that blends movement, musicality, and cultural...
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Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
Decidedly Jazz, Danceworks 111 12 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1A1

Friday Afternoon Add-On, Dance

1:00pm MDT

Friday Add-On - Contemporary Calgary, Educator Guided Tour

LIMITED

Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm MDT

Contemporary Calgary

Limited Capacity seats available

Add-on sessions are $25, payable during online registration. If you've already paid, we'll add the session to your Sched manually. To add it now, edit your registration.Step into the world of contemporary art with a guided tour at Contemporary Calgary, one of the city’s most dynamic cultural spaces. Join fellow arts educators for a tour and exploration of current exhibitions, artistic practices,...
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Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Contemporary Calgary 701 11 St SW, Calgary, AB T2P 2C4

Friday Afternoon Add-On, Art

1:00pm MDT

Friday Add-On - Kinkonauts On-Site Improv Long-Form Workshop

Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm MDT

The Kinkonauts (BLOX Arts Centre)

Add-on sessions are $25, payable during online registration. If you've already paid, we'll add the session to your Sched manually. To add it now, edit your registration.Step into the world of unscripted storytelling with a two‑hour long‑form improv workshop led by the Kinkonauts, one of Calgary’s most dynamic improvisational ensembles. Join fellow theatre educators to explore the foundations...
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Friday October 16, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
The Kinkonauts (BLOX Arts Centre) 834 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0E5

Friday Afternoon Add-On, Theatre

6:00pm MDT

Conference Registration & Elevated Mixer

Friday October 16, 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm MDT

St. John Centre for Arts and Culture

Kick off your Arts Elevated experience at our Friday evening mixer and registration event. Drop in anytime after 6:00 p.m. to enjoy a complimentary drink, light snacks, art making, and great conversation with fellow fine arts educators. Connect with colleagues, make new friends, and settle into the conference with energy and connections. Then, at 7:30 p.m., join keynote speaker Nina Meehan as she...
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Friday October 16, 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm MDT
St. John Centre for Arts and Culture 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Plenary, Registration

7:30pm MDT

Keynote: Create the Way Forward: Creativity as Strength, Strategy, and Care

Friday October 16, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm MDT

St. John Centre for Arts and Culture

Arts teachers are experts in the creative process, yet rarely are invited to apply that expertise to the systems they work within. This interactive keynote reframes creativity as a tool for strengthening programs, supporting mental health, and sustaining energy in the face of constraint.Participants will engage in reflective and collaborative moments that connect artistic practice to leadership,...
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Speakers

Nina Meehan

Keynote Speaker

Nina Meehan is a Brilliant Communication™ specialist, speaker, and coach who helps leaders, teams, and organizations communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

As the founder and CEO of an award-winning, multi-million-dollar entertainment company, she honed her exp... Read More →

Friday October 16, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm MDT
St. John Centre for Arts and Culture 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Keynote Address

8:30pm MDT

Late Night Live Music

Friday October 16, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm MDT

Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey - Second Floor Music Hall

Keep the Arts Elevated experience going with live music at Hayden Block! Whether you're catching up with colleagues, making new connections, or simply enjoying the music, this is a great opportunity to relax and continue the conversation after the conference.

If you plan to attend, please add this to your schedule!

Friday October 16, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm MDT
Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey - Second Floor Music Hall 1136 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary, AB T2N 3P3

Plenary, Social Event

8:00am MDT

Registration, Coffee, Networking & Exhibitors

Saturday October 17, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT

St. John Centre for Arts and Culture

Start your day with a warm welcome! Enjoy a delightful selection of coffee, tea, and treats as you register for the conference. This is the perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow attendees, get acquainted with the event schedule, peruse the exhibitors, do some art and start your day caffeinated! Join us for a refreshing start to the conference and make the most of this chance to connect and...
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Saturday October 17, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
St. John Centre for Arts and Culture 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Plenary, Registration

9:00am MDT

Welcome from President Jason Schilling & Land Acknowledgement

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am MDT

118 Gym, St. John Center

Welcome to Arts Elevated! Join ATA President Jason Schilling as he opens the conference, shares greetings on behalf of the Alberta Teachers' Association, and sets the stage for a day of inspiration, creativity, and collaboration.

Speakers

Jason Schilling

President, Alberta Teachers' Association

Jason Schilling was re-elected president in 2025 following six years of service as president, two years of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative for South West. As vice-president, Schilling chaired the Central Table Bargaining Committee... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am MDT
118 Gym, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Plenary, Welcome

9:30am MDT

Contemporary Dance Lab: Training Specificity

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT

006 Dance Studio, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

As a choreographer, the weakest skillset I often see when dancers enter a creative process is improvisation and the ability to generate material. How can we begin introducing these skills to dancers at a younger age in order to propel the form forward? This lecture will explore two essential avenues of training: developing critical thinking (or “dance IQ”) and cultivating physical specificity....
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Speakers

Meghann Michalsky

Meghann Michalsky (she/her) is an independent choreographer, dancer, educator, producer, and filmmaker based in Calgary. She is the Artistic Director of YYC Contemporary Technique Training and the former Co-Artistic Director of Project InTandem, a double-bill dance production... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT
006 Dance Studio, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Dance

9:30am MDT

Directing with Intention: Fast, Flexible, Student-Centered Staging for Musicals

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT

108 Classroom, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

Musical theatre thrives on momentum, musical, emotional, and communal. This workshop invites theatre teachers to rethink efficiency not as control, but as clarity, trust, and intention.Participants will learn a director’s toolkit for staging musical numbers quickly while preserving narrative integrity and expanding student agency. We’ll focus on how to set strong objectives, read the emotional...
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Speakers

Nina Meehan

Keynote Speaker

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT
108 Classroom, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Drama

9:30am MDT

Keep Them Singing: Engagement and Excellence in the Secondary Choral Classroom

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT

002 Classroom, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

Teaching secondary choir requires far more than just notes and rhythms. This practical and interactive session explores strategies for building a thriving choral classroom through effective warm-ups, engaging rehearsal techniques, student leadership development, thoughtful repertoire selection, and meaningful assessment practices. Participants will explore ways to strengthen ensemble culture,...
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Speakers

Andrea Ciona

Andrea Ciona is a conductor, educator, adjudicator, and musician, based in Calgary, Alberta. She teaches music at Bishop Carroll High School, where she works with a wide range of secondary music ensembles and is passionate about creating meaningful, student-centered musical experiences... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT
002 Classroom, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Music, 7-12 Music

9:30am MDT

The Scavenger Music Teacher: Supporting Elementary Music Educators Through the Collective Community

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT

124 Classroom, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, we will explore the notion of the scavenger music teacher. This idea arose during my dissertation study with teachers expressing that they lacked the needed knowledge for unfamiliar musics and being overwhelmed by all there is to consume or learn. Through my research, I found that drawing on the collective community and reflexive work were beneficial for changes to teacher...
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Speakers

Kim Friesen

Kim Friesen has been teaching music with Edmonton Public Schools since 2000 and with the University of Alberta since 2014. Kim is the course director for the Orff Levels at the UofA and recently defended her dissertation in Elementary Music Education with a focus on critical music... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am MDT
124 Classroom, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Music, K-6 Music

9:30am MDT

From Idea to Public Art: A Collaborative Design Thinking Mural Workshop (2.5 hour session)

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 12:15pm MDT

003 Art Room, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive workshop blends short lecture segments and group discussion with hands‑on art making to support K–12 visual art teachers to explore how design thinking, materials, constraints and inclusive processes shape successful classroom and community art installations. Participants will learn accessible block‑printmaking...
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Speakers

Tamera Olsen

Artist in Residence, Louis Riel School

Tamera Olsen obtained her B.F.A. from the University of Montana, the Berkeley of the Rockies, where she mentored under a father of the Collagraph Printmaking movement. She is a painter, printmaker, photographer and sculptor who has exhibited regionally and is in museum and private... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:30am - 12:15pm MDT
003 Art Room, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Art

10:45am MDT

Snack Break, Networking & Exhibitors

Saturday October 17, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am MDT

St. John Centre for Arts and Culture

Take a break and grab a snack outside the gym before heading to your next session. Be sure to visit our exhibitors and discover new ideas, resources, and inspiration along the way!

Saturday October 17, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am MDT
St. John Centre for Arts and Culture 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Plenary

11:00am MDT

Rhythms of the Sash: Integrating Red River Jigging and Métis Culture in the Classroom

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT

108 Classroom, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

This session provides an immersive exploration of the Red River Jig and the music of Métis people. Participants will move beyond passive listening to examine the intricate fusion of Indigenous drum rhythms and European fiddle traditions. By blending physical movement, rhythmic accompaniment, and traditional regalia, educators will learn how to bring the vibrant history of the Métis into their...
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Speakers

Danielle Booker

Danielle Booker (M.Ed) is a dedicated educational leader and the Vice Principal of Jessie Duncan School. A proud Métis woman with deep ties to Northern Alberta, Danielle’s leadership is informed by her rich tapestry of Algonquin, Cree, Michif, French, and Polish ancestry.

With over a decade of teaching experience ranging from her early recognition as an Edwin Parr Award recipient to her recent work as a cultural advisor within the EIPS First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education team—Danielle is committed to fostering inclusive spaces where identity... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT
108 Classroom, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Dance

11:00am MDT

Inclusive Choreography for Mixed Levels

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT

006 Dance Studio, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

Strategies for creating movement with participants with a wide range of dance backgrounds, including those who have little to no dance experience. Covers scaffolding choreography so everyone feels confident, using group patterns to support individual learners, and working with varying skill levels.

Speakers

Theatre Calgary

Theatre Calgary traces its origins to the 1960s grassroots movement for local professional theatre. The company formed from the city’s two most prominent amateur theatre groups: Workshop 14 and the Musicians’ and Actors’ Club. Workshop 14 had been founded in 1944 by students... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT
006 Dance Studio, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Drama

11:00am MDT

Band Directors United: Special Edition

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT

124 Classroom, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

Join fellow music educators for a high-energy “Special Edition” session designed to inspire, equip, and reconnect you with the heart of great band teaching. Packed with practical strategies, meaningful conversation, real-world tools, and plenty of laughter, this session will explore how exceptional band programs are built through authentic relationships, intentional leadership, and a culture...
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Speakers

Chris Herard

Chris Herard believes deeply in the power of the arts to bring communities together through learning and performance. As Consultant of Fine and Performing Arts K–12 for the Calgary Catholic School District in Calgary, Chris supports arts education for more than 65,000 students across... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT
124 Classroom, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Music, 7-12 Music

12:15pm MDT

Catered Lunch & AGM

Saturday October 17, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm MDT

118 Gym, St. John Center

Join us for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Lunch. Enjoy a delicious catered lunch while learning about the Fine Arts Council's initiatives, celebrating our accomplishments, and exploring opportunities to get involved. Stay informed about what's ahead, get a sneak peek at Conference 2027, and connect with fellow arts educators from across the province. We'll wrap up the AGM with exciting...
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Saturday October 17, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm MDT
118 Gym, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Plenary, Food

1:15pm MDT

Networking & Exhibitors

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:15pm - 1:30pm MDT

St. John Centre for Arts and Culture

Continue the conversation after lunch by networking with fellow attendees and visiting our exhibitors. Discover new resources, gather fresh ideas, and make valuable connections as you prepare for the afternoon's learning.

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:15pm - 1:30pm MDT
St. John Centre for Arts and Culture 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Plenary

1:30pm MDT

Foundations of Acrylic Painting: Still Life in Form & Colour

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

003 Art Room, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

This hands-on acrylic painting workshop uses classic still life subject matter to teach foundational painting skills in an engaging and accessible way. Participants will learn how to create the illusion of three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface by developing an understanding of light, shadow, colour, and structure using acrylic paint. Through guided demonstrations and step-by-step...
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Speakers

Holly McWilliams

Founder, Indigo Arts

Holly McWilliams is a Canadian artist, educator, and founder of Indigo Arts based in Calgary, Alberta. With over 25 years of experience in both professional art practice and visual arts education, Holly is known for her bold, expressive paintings that combine vibrant colour, intuitive... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
003 Art Room, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Art, Secondary Art

1:30pm MDT

The Art of Containment - Art Therapy Techniques for Teachers

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

108 Classroom, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

“The Art of Containment” is a hands-on workshop introducing art therapy as a practice for self-care and a strategy for educators to foster inclusion and identity in increasingly challenging classrooms. All materials will be provided.

Speakers

Katie McBeath

Owner, ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS ART THERAPY

Katie McBeath is a registered Canadian Art Therapist and owner of Rock, Paper, Scissors Art Therapy. In addition, she is a full-time teacher with experience ranging from pre-K to grade 9 in her 25-year career. During her studies at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute Katie developed... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
108 Classroom, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Art, General

1:30pm MDT

Finding Organic Movement and Ensemble building through Viewpoints

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

006 Dance Studio, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

Developing an ensemble that can work, intrinsically with each other is at the core of a good creative team. There is also a need to present exciting and dynamic movement as well as an organization of space to create engaging theatre with. Using aspects of the Viewpoints method, developed and codified by the SITI company under the leadership of Anne Bogart, participants will get a crash course that...
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Speakers

Jack Grinhaus

Artistic Director, Vertigo Theatre

Jack Grinhaus is an award winning and nominated artist, with work spanning over 25 years as Artistic Director, Director, playwright, and actor with numerous theatre, television, and film credits. As Artistic Director and director Jack has developed, programmed, and produced over 50... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
006 Dance Studio, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Drama

1:30pm MDT

From Omission to Inclusion: Embedding Marginalized Histories in Arts Education

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

124 Classroom, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

In this interactive session, participants will explore the powerful local history of Charles Daniels, a Black Calgarian whose 1914 civil rights case remains one of the earliest known legal challenges to racial segregation in Western Canada. Using Cheryl Foggo's "Kicking Up a Fuss", a comprehensive arts‑based resource featuring documentary film, poetry, movement, and primary archival materials,...
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Speakers

Kelly Brownlee

Kelly Brownlee is an award winning dance educator and Dance Instructor at Father Lacombe High School, where she brings over fifteen years of international teaching, choreography, and performance experience to her students. Her work in the classroom and on stage reflects a commitment... Read More →

Kelsey McMahon

Kelsey McMahon-Stoker grew up studying Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Modern Dance at Ballet North School and Performing Company and West Edmonton Ballet Academy in Edmonton Alberta. Upon graduation she had the opportunity to dance with “Orchesis”, and “Opera Nuova”. Notable... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
124 Classroom, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Interdisciplinary

1:30pm MDT

Community Building Through Drum Circles for Youth

LIMITED

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

118 Gym, St. John Center

Limited Capacity seats available

Drum circles reach across language, culture and skill barriers and make community music making accessible for all. This session will demystify the how and why of drum circles and give you simple tools and activities you can use in your classroom tomorrow.

Speakers

Lucas Coffey

Executive Director, Rhythm Rhythm Rhythm

Lucas Coffey is the founder and lead facilitator of Rhythm Rhythm Rhythm, a sold-out artist-in-residence program that has shared improvised music with over 100, 000 students in Alberta and throughout North America. He is the author of “Chaos to Connection: Four Principles of Drum... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
118 Gym, St. John Center 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Music, K-12

3:30pm MDT

Networking & Exhibitors

Saturday October 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm MDT

St. John Centre for Arts and Culture

Wrap up your conference experience by networking with fellow attendees and visiting our exhibitors on your way out. It's the perfect opportunity to make a few final connections, gather resources, and leave inspired.

Saturday October 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm MDT
St. John Centre for Arts and Culture 15 12 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Y4

Plenary

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