THE CENTURY BALL
Art Gallery of Alberta’s 100th Anniversary
On August 18, 2024 the AGA turned 100! The Art Gallery of Alberta is an iconic landmark and source of pride for Edmonton and Alberta and the province’s oldest cultural institution and the only museum solely dedicated to the presentation and preservation of visual arts. This marks a significant, unprecedented milestone for the visual arts in Alberta.
Client
Art Gallery of Alberta
The Event
Centennial Celebration
Location
Art Gallery of Alberta – Main Hall, all level Galleries and Exhibit Spaces
Guests
250
Event Mandate
The AGA hosted a series of centennial events in 2024 proudly commemorating a century of creativity, innovation, and inspiration. The Century Ball was the final event taking place on Saturday, November 23rd, celebrating and completing the year with an unforgettable fundraising event. We managed the full scope of event planning—from developing the theme to executing the final experience—all within an accelerated 10-week timeline.
Our Expertise
- Strategic Development & Ideation
- Theme Development
- Structuring & Monitoring the
- Event Budget
- Event Design / Creative Development
- Sourcing and Coordination of Contracts: Vendors & Suppliers
- Production Management
- Show Development & Program Coordination
- Food & Beverage Planning
- Floorplan Development
- Production Scheduling
- Risk Management & Evaluation Strategy
- On-site Event Execution
Strategic Goals
The event celebrated AGA’s century of creativity, innovation, and inspiration with a party like no other; an impactful exclusive dining experience, cocktails, and after-party.
Key Event Objectives
- FUNDRAISING: Ultimately the event was aimed at raising funds for the AGA.
- AUDIENCE: The dinner portion of the event was to attract a very targeted audience; based on invite-only through direct calls, letters, e-mails. It was targeted to attract past and current AGA board members, philanthropists and corporations, with potentially new purchasers. Art Party tickets were available for purchase by the public.
- EXPERIENCE: An exclusive, impactful and elevated experience by activating the whole building, celebrating The Art Gallery of Alberta as an iconic landmark and source of pride for its founders, supporters, key stakeholders, Edmonton and Alberta as a whole. Guests were to walk away with an unforgettable night.
The Experience
Event Concept
The Century Ball has been 100 years in the making, a party like no other, to celebrate the AGA’s 100th Anniversary. We proposed an exquisite evening that revels in revolutionary art movements from the 20th Century; celebrating the audacious visions that dared to challenge the norm.
Event Highlights
Guests were treated to an exquisite VIP dining experience featuring a chef-curated menu of small plates and craft cocktails—marking the first time in AGA history that guests were invited to dine privately within the gallery spaces. Surrounded by stunning works of art, the evening offered a truly immersive, once-in-a-lifetime setting.
Three art movements—Pop Art, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism—informed every touchpoint of the event, from the custom four-course plated tasting menu to signature cocktails and mocktails, curated visual art installations, centrepieces, music, and live performances.
This exclusive, elevated experience activated the entire building, celebrating the AGA as a source of pride for its founders, supporters, and key stakeholders.
Guests were welcomed by a surrealism-inspired storytelling host who guided them through the unfolding journey—escorting them to various spaces, checking in at tables, making key announcements, and sharing poetic narratives throughout the night.
The event offered a deeply immersive experience with unexpected creative activations such as nude painting sessions and clay workshops. Guests also enjoyed an exclusive first look at a private-collection exhibition on the top floor.
Entertainment was woven throughout the evening, including roving opera performances during dinner and Dada-inspired contemporary dancers animating the spaces during the after-party.
A message from the Art Gallery of Alberta
Congratulations on a great event last night! I heard only positive things about everything. People loved the food and the theme and especially enjoyed the opera singer. Everything was also so well-orchestrated. Many thanks to you for making it all happen! You had such oversight for all the details, big and small, and went above and beyond. It was a great night.
Catherine Crowston
Executive Director / Chief Curator, Art Gallery of Alberta
