Editing Lethbridge (section)

== Arts and culture ==
{{See also|List of festivals in Lethbridge}}
[[File:Galt museum.jpg|thumb|Galt Hospital, shown here in 1910, is now the Galt Museum.]]
[[File:Lethbridge skyline 2.jpg|thumb|Skyline of downtown Lethbridge]]
Lethbridge was designated a Cultural Capital of Canada for the 2004–2005 season.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061209171045/http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ccc/index_e.cfm Cultural Capitals of Canada], Canadian Heritage. Retrieved December 24, 2006.</ref> The Southern Alberta Ethnic Association (Multicultural Heritage Centre) promotes multiculturalism and ethnic heritage in the community.<ref name="choose-leth-rec"/>

The city is home to venues and organizations promoting the arts. Founded in 1958, the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge is the largest organization in the city dedicated to preserving and enhancing the local arts.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |publisher=Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge |url=http://www.artslethbridge.org/ |access-date=February 16, 2007 |archive-date=February 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213222134/http://www.artslethbridge.org/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In the spring of 2007, the Allied Arts Council Facilities Steering Committee initiated the Arts Re:Building Together Campaign, a grass roots campaign initiative to raise awareness and support for improving arts facilities in Lethbridge. The campaign identified three arts buildings: the Yates Memorial Centre, the Bowman Arts Centre, and the Southern Alberta Art Gallery as cornerstone facilities in the community requiring care and attention. On July 14, 2007, the Finance Committee of City Council approved four arts capital projects for inclusion in the city's Ten Year Capital Plan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arts Facilities|url=http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/arts-facilities.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120727024217/http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/arts-facilities.html|archive-date=July 27, 2012|publisher=Allied Arts Council|access-date=December 9, 2010}}</ref> Under the campaign to 2010, the renovation and expansion of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery was completed,<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Alberta Art Gallery|url=http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/arts-facilities/southern-alberta-art-gallery.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722155512/http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/arts-facilities/southern-alberta-art-gallery.html|archive-date=July 22, 2012|publisher=Allied Arts Council|access-date=December 9, 2010}}</ref> a new Community Arts Centre will be built in downtown Lethbridge,<ref>{{cite web|title=Community Arts Centre |url=http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/arts-facilities/community-arts-centre.html |publisher=Allied Arts Council |access-date=December 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731030741/http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/arts-facilities/community-arts-centre.html |archive-date=July 31, 2012}}</ref> the City of Lethbridge has a Public Art Program,<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Art |url=http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/public-art.html |publisher=Allied Arts Council |access-date=December 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20101214034720/http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/public-art.html |archive-date=December 14, 2010}}</ref> and a committee was formed to research the possibility of a new Performing Arts Centre in Lethbridge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Performing Arts Centre |url=http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/arts-facilities/performing-arts-centre.html |publisher=Allied Arts Council |access-date=December 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20101216093216/http://www.artslethbridge.org/aac-initiatives/arts-facilities/performing-arts-centre.html |archive-date=December 16, 2010}}</ref>

Lethbridge has a [[Lethbridge Public Library|public library]] and three major museum/galleries. The [[Southern Alberta Art Gallery]] is a contemporary gallery; the community arts centre Casa, administered by the Allied Arts Council; and the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery produces contemporary exhibitions including works from its extensive collection of Canadian, American and European art.<ref name="choose-leth-rec">{{cite web |title=Recreation & Leisure |work=Choose Lethbridge |publisher=Economic Development Lethbridge |url=http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/chooselivability/recreation.php |access-date=February 16, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927030113/http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/chooselivability/recreation.php |archive-date = September 27, 2007}}</ref>

The city is also home to the Lethbridge Symphony, which was founded in 1960 and incorporated as a non-profit in 1961. It has produced several spin-off music groups, including the Southern Alberta Chamber Orchestra, and the still-active Lethbridge Musical Theatre,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Nelson |first=Margaret |author2=Philip M. Wults |title=Lethbridge, Alta |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Music in Canada |publisher=Historica |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lethbridge-alta-emc/ <!--Bot repaired link--> |access-date=February 16, 2007 |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306054917/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lethbridge-alta-emc/ |url-status=live}}</ref> which produces an annual show. Vox Musica, which traces its roots back to 1968, is a community choir previously based at the [[University of Lethbridge]]. As a fully independent non-profit society, Vox Musica continues to rehearse and perform at Southminster United Church and around the community. Theatrical productions are presented by the University of Lethbridge's drama department and New West Theatre, which performs at the [[Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre]] using its two theatres: the 500-seat [[proscenium]] Yates Theatre and the 180-seat [[Black box theater|black box]] Sterndale Bennett Theatre.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |publisher=New West Theatre |url=http://www.newwesttheatre.com/aboutus.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206003935/http://www.newwesttheatre.com/aboutus.php |archive-date=February 6, 2007|access-date=February 16, 2007}}</ref>

Lethbridge hosts [[List of festivals in Lethbridge|a number of annual festivals and events]] throughout the year including Kiwanis Music Festival, Lethbridge Independent Film Festival, Centric Music Festival, Lethbridge Pride Fest, Street Machine Weekend, [[Lethbridge Dragon Boat Festival]], Word on the Street, Lethbridge Electronic Music Festival, and many more. The best-known event in Lethbridge is [[Whoop-Up Days]], a [[rodeo]] and fair held annually in August.