The City of Airdrie + Airdrie CultureFest

Originally, the Airdrie CultureFest Planning Committee was formed out of a partnership with the City of Airdrie with the intention to host a multicultural festival for all Airdrie residents to engage in and enjoy. The purpose was multilayered, and aligned to the Canadian Multiculturalism Act which primarily seeks to recognize and preserve the multicultural heritage of all Canadians. 

During the City's 2024 restructuring, certain festivals were released from the their responsibility and were made available for the community to continue them on their own stead. Following the resounding success of the event, the community partners of the planning committee decided to form a non-profit - The Airdrie CultureFest Society - in order to qualify for (Federal, Provincial, and Municipal) grants and funding and keep the event alive. 

We are grateful to the City for bringing our members together as well as helping us build capacity and skills to get CultureFest off the ground. Thank you, City of Airdrie!

Who runs Airdrie CultureFest?

The Airdrie community! While Airdrie CultureFest is now housed under and supported by a Board of Directors and non-profit (The Airdrie CultureFest Society), the event is 100% planned and ran by the incredible cultural organizations, groups, and associations who live in and love Airdrie!

What is the Board's role?

The Board is made up of 8 repeat-volunteers who are committed to ensuring the success of CultureFest. Together, they utilize their personal and professional expertise in grant-writing, fundraising, marketing, event planning, community development, and networking to build the logistical framework for CultureFest. 

Essentially, the Board takes away the administrative and burdensome side of the event, leaving the fun, creative planning and dreaming to the volunteers. CultureFest is truly a community and team effort.

Find out how you can be part of our growing team!

How are Board members appointed?

Board members are nominated and elected each year at our Annual General Meeting (AGM), which takes place before December 31. In the months leading up to the AGM, members can express interest themselves or be approached directly, and may be asked to share a brief overview of their skills and experience. The goal is to build a well-rounded Board that reflects a mix of strengths, perspectives, and a shared commitment to the Society's goals.

The Board must have at least five directors: President, Treasurer, Secretary, and additional Directors as needed. If the number of nominees matches the number of available positions, they are acclaimed. If there are more nominees than roles, a ballot vote is held at the AGM. The results are recorded in the AGM minutes, and the newly elected Board steps into their roles at the end-of-year transition.

How is the Planning Committee structured, and why?

To ensure diversity of groups, thought and workload for all our volunteers, the event is split up into bite-sized sections where teams lead the charge in how they look. The event map is divided up into continents and areas with associated roles and responsibilities. Each team is asked to not only plan their section, but are tasked with connecting with cultural groups beyond their immediate network to gain a more fulsome representation of all the cultural groups and people who make Airdrie amazing.

The available Planning Committee roles are all first-come-first-serve, and are all based on the capacity of the volunteers we have. The Board does not appoint roles or responsibilities, and the door is always open to new volunteers from all cultural groups and associations. 

Here, we believe in the more the merrier! If you are from a group that you feel is under/not represented send us an email and let's get you involved as an event planner or participant - or both!

How do you ensure a fulsome representation of all of Airdrie's diverse cultural groups - both in the event and on the committee?

We're so glad you asked! Diversity and inclusion are two of our core values that shape how we make decisions and engage with the community throughout our planning process.

At CultureFest, everyone is welcome to participate—whether you're volunteering, hosting a cultural pavilion, performing, or sponsoring the event—you belong here.

Our Board does not refuse, deny, or manipulate volunteer engagement. In fact, our Board and Planning Committee are made up entirely of passionate volunteers who generously give their time to help make this event extraordinary. If someone wants to get involved, our answer is always yes!

To ensure broad cultural representation, each volunteer is encouraged to connect with cultural groups beyond their personal networks and invite them to take part. That said, our diversity is ultimately shaped by those who choose to participate—our doors are open, and we’re excited to welcome all who walk through them.

If you are aware of a group who is underrepresented and would like to participate, please send us an email!

What approaches do the Board and Planning Committee employ towards community engagement?

Let's face it, with diversity of thought and background, there are bound to be moments of misunderstanding. This is why the Board embraces the practice of 'do no harm' which essentially prioritizes the well-being of the community and its members throughout the engagement process. 

We encourage our volunteers to approach others from a stance of curiousity and empathy, and to let kindness and inclusion lead the way. 

As a collective, we are continually learning and striving to engage with compassion and respect.