Arts and culture programs
Programs and services
Creative programs and community events
- Arts programs
- Music programs
- Educational programs
- Our events
Activate your imagination
At United Active Living, we champion creativity and lifelong learning, and we integrate them into our daily offerings. To ensure that the programming made available is appropriate and interesting to our residents, many of these programs come from residents’ suggestions. By getting to know our residents personally, we draw upon their rich history and experiences to design our programs.
This open dialogue about values and interests aligns with our social model of care and ensures there’s something for everyone. The best way to see the unbeatable variety of programs available is to view our sample Programming Calendar with real examples of past activities. Many of these programs are made possible by our wonderful Community Partners or our in-house artists who facilitate enriching experiences for residents.
Music programs
Music inspires, entertains and lifts us. United offers an extensive music program that has you covered whatever your musical tastes. Whether you like to get right in there and sing, to learn something you didn’t know before or engage by listening, there is something for everyone. Our music offerings include; a resident choir, music appreciation, in-house concerts and concert excursions.
Educational programs
We believe in lifelong learning. Retirement provides an excellent opportunity for older adults to spend their free time pursuing passions and interests that they couldn’t find time for during busy years of worKing or raising a family.
United Active Living has strong community partnerships with St. Mary’s University College and Mount Royal University. Professors, instructors, and researchers regularly visit our communities to offer talks on a range of fascinating topics. These talks are an excellent opportunity to residents to engage in new ideas and keep their brains sharp. Many times, our residents can offer unique perspectives and keep the conversation lively.
Arts programs
Our art studios are staffed by professional artists seven days a week to nourish creativity and explore the world of art and fine craft. We draw from residents’ lifelong creative experience as well as introducing new art mediums and techniques. We offer a wide range of arts programming including independent art practice, creative workshops and drama and theatre.
Music
Music inspires, entertains and lifts us. United offers an extensive music program that has you covered whatever your musical tastes. Whether you like to get right in there and sing, to learn something you didn’t know before or engage by listening, there is something for everyone.
Resident choir
Singing is about coming together and making a joyful noise. Whether you’ve sung in choirs or only in the shower our professional choir director will lead you – when we can sing again – in fun and engaging songs that will leave you wanting more.
Music appreciation with Jill and Mark
This is your chance to connect to music you know, broaden your horizons with pieces you’ve never heard and learn about the lives of the music creators, be they Beethoven or the Beatles.
Concerts
Music inspires, entertains and lifts us. United offers an extensive music program that has you covered whatever your musical tastes. Whether you like to get right in there and sing, to learn something you didn’t know before or engage by listening, there is something for everyone.
In-house concerts
Thanks to United’s many partnerships with leading cultural organizations and professional musicians, you get the best seats in the house for country, classical, jazz, choral and other concerts right in our community.
Concert excursions
Whether you’ve been a longtime subscriber to groups like the Calgary Phil, Calgary Opera or Calgary Jazz Orchestra, or exploring concerts for the first time, regular excursions to music venues around the city keep us connected with the best our city has to offer.
Creative expression
Our art studios are staffed by professional artists seven days a week to nourish creativity and explore the world of art and fine craft. We draw from residents’ lifelong creative experience as well as introducing new art mediums and techniques.
Independent art practice
Engage your mind and imagination by exploring your own art practice – in the artistic medium of your choice! Our fully equipped art studios offer rich opportunities to hone your craft or try something new. Our professional artists are here with the knowledge, experience, and tools to help you get started!
Creative workshops
Our professional artists bring a variety of expertise in contemporary art practices. We have an ever-changing schedule of creative workshops to explore the wide world of art from digital media, textile art, 3D paper forms, fine craft techniques, collaboration and more!
Weekly programming
Our weekly programs do more than practice creative skills, they also build friendships! We recognize that creativity comes in all forms and we encourage our residents to enjoy our wide spectrum of education, entertainment and programming.
Ceramics
Our weekly programs do more than practice creative skills, they also build friendships! We recognize that creativity comes in all forms and we encourage our residents to enjoy our wide spectrum of education, entertainment and programming.
Sketching
Regular still-life drawing workshops exercise our artists’ sketching skills. These workshops aid in perspective and composition, and are always a pleasant social gathering.
Drama and theatre
Many United residents also have a passion for theatre. As well as excursions to see performances, residents sometimes get a backstage pass when actors, directors, and others involved in the productions come to the community. We’ve even had in-house performances!
LunchBox Theatre
Enjoy a variety of dynamic performances – both as excursions to the theatre and performances in our communities. Our partnership with Lunchbox Theatre offers access to exclusive opportunities – go behind the scenes to experience theatre from a whole new vantage point.
Calgary Opera’s emerging artists
At United, you get to hear tomorrow’s stars today. Calgary Opera’s emerging artists perform annually in our communities. As well, highly skilled artisans, who work behind the scenes, occasionally pay a visit.
Excursions
Our amazing programming at United doesn’t just happen within the boundaries of our community. Excursions to art galleries, theatre performances, special lunches and scenic drives are a regular occurrence at both of our United locations.
Excursion to River Cross Ranch
A recent excursion to the River Cross Ranch included lunch, a visit with therapy horses, a keepsake, and tons of smiles and laughter.
Art gallery visits
We are fortunate to have many great art galleries and cultural institutions in our city. These experiences spark dialogue and inspire creativity.
