HEART
CITY
OF THE
MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
The Heart of the City Music and Arts Festival began in 2003 as a series of open mic events at the Bissell Centre's community drop-in. At that time, many passionate Edmontonians were working to improve the McCauley neighborhood for residents and visitors.
The festival was born from the efforts of people like Roy Agnew, Mark Ruble, and Darlene Arsenault. They wanted to create a music festival that would give musicians living in downtown Edmonton a chance to perform live for an audience. The public would also be welcome to enjoy the performances.
THE BEGINING
The first festival was held in Giovanni Caboto Park. The second year, it moved to the soccer field behind the McCauley Apartments at Sacred Heart Church. From the third year onwards, the festival has been held in Giovanni Caboto Park.
ABOUT US
_edited.jpg)
"Inspiration
and opportunity
through
the arts"
PARTNERSHIP AND GROWTH
A partnership with Don Snider from the Edmonton Folk Music Festival allowed the festival to borrow full-size stages and eventually move to a bigger space in Giovanni Caboto Park, next to the Boys and Girls Club in Little Italy.
In 2009, the organizers added artists and free workshops to the festival. In 2010, a second day was added, making it a full two-day event. As the festival grew, so did many of the musicians. Several performers went on to play at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and other venues around Edmonton. New faces joined the board of directors, and new features were added to the program.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
In 2013, with help from CJSR and the Bissell Centre (among other partnerships), dozens of musicians who had played at the festival were featured on a free CD compilation called "Beating Strong," which was distributed around Edmonton.
Over the past 11 years, many dedicated individuals have volunteered their time and energy to organize the festival. They have connected the festival with organizations like the McCauley Community League, Boyle Street Community Services, the Bissell Centre, the Native Friendship Centre, the Nina Haggerty Arts Centre, the McCauley apartments, and the Brain Injury Society.
These are just a few of the many partnerships the festival has formed in the McCauley area. Without these organizations, the festival would not exist.
OUR MISSION
Today, hundreds of partners and volunteers work hard to fulfill the Heart of the City's mission: to provide a free, family-friendly music and arts festival in the heart of Edmonton that promotes and supports original, local, and emerging artists.