The Confederation Centre of the Arts is the cultural heart of downtown Charlottetown. It was built as a memorial to the 1864 Charlottetown Conference, the meeting that began the road to Canadian Confederation, and it houses a public art gallery, theatres, a library and public plaza spaces on Queen Street beside Province House. The art gallery shows Canadian work and has run rotating exhibitions for decades, and the Centre also hosts the summer theatre season that has made it a destination for musical fans. The venue's pages describe an online exhibition about the original Anne of Green Gables manuscript, which is a good fit for visitors who love the books. In November the gallery is the draw, since the large summer programme is over.
What to do
Spend an hour or two in the art gallery, where the exhibitions change through the year, and walk through the plaza and the sculptures outside. If the theatre has a production on, the box office will tell you what is on and whether tickets remain. The Centre's online exhibition on the Anne of Green Gables manuscript is a good primer before a trip to Cavendish. The building is also a convenient landmark, on the same block as Province House and a short walk from the waterfront.
Hours and planning
The gallery pages give Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm, closed Mondays, and the box office runs Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Schedules change through the year, and admission has at times been by donation, so check the venue's website for what is on, the current hours and prices before you go. Building and gallery hours differ, and the theatres operate on their own show schedule, so a performance evening is a separate plan from a daytime gallery visit.
Fitting it in
It works well as a wet-weather or off-season anchor in a day that also includes the walking tour and a meal downtown, and it is a natural stop before or after the historic district. Accessibility is generally good in a modern arts building, but call ahead for specific needs. If you are visiting in summer, look at the theatre season early, since popular shows can sell out and a performance gives a distinctly island evening.
What to expect
The experience
A visit to a public art gallery and arts complex with theatres, a plaza and public sculptures in downtown Charlottetown.
Best time
Daytime for the gallery, evenings when a theatre performance is on; it is especially useful on wet or cold days.
How long
Allow one to two hours for the gallery and the building.
Tips
Check the current exhibitions and hours on the venue's website, note that Monday is closed for the gallery, and allow separate time for any performance.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art lovers, theatre fans and anyone who wants a good indoor stop downtown.
- Families
- Older children can enjoy the gallery and plaza, but check for family programmes and keep younger ones close.
- Couples
- Pair a gallery visit with an evening show in season, then dinner nearby.
- Pair with
- The Charlottetown walking tour, Province House and the waterfront all sit within a few blocks.
- Time needed
- One to two hours, longer with a performance.
Good questions
What are the gallery hours?+
The venue gives Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm, closed Monday. Check the venue's website for the current hours before you go.
Is the gallery free?+
Admission has at times been by donation, but that can change with the season and the exhibition. Confirm the current admission on the venue's website.
Why is the Centre important?+
It was built as a memorial to the 1864 Charlottetown Conference, which began the path to Canadian Confederation. Today it is the island's main arts and theatre venue.
Where is it?+
It is on Queen Street in downtown Charlottetown, next to Province House. It is walkable from the waterfront and most downtown hotels.
Can I buy theatre tickets there?+
Yes. The box office is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and it can tell you what is on and how to buy. Summer shows are the most popular and can sell out.
