The Confederation Centre of the Arts is a cultural complex established as Canada's national memorial to the Fathers of Confederation, built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference of 1864.
It celebrates Canadian identity through visual and performing arts, heritage programming, and arts education. Its facilities include an art gallery, multiple theatres, and spaces for performances, conferences, and events.
Check the official website here.
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here
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Address: 145 Richmond Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1J1
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By Car: Centrally located downtown; parking is available in nearby public and private lots.
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On Foot: Easily walkable from downtown hotels, the waterfront, and shops.
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By Public Transit: Served by local Charlottetown transit routes with stops within walking distance.
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Tip: Arrive early for evening performances as downtown parking fills quickly.
You can also check the Translink website for the Skytrain schedules.
Hours & Admission (Art Gallery)
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Gallery Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, plus Thursday evenings from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
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Admission (June-October):
• Adults: CA$15
• Seniors (65+): CA$10
• Students / Youth / Under-18: By donation
• Summer Gallery Pass for multiple visits during summer: CA$25
• Thursdays (5-8 PM): Admission by donation
What You Can See & Do
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Art Gallery Exhibitions: The Gallery presents historic and contemporary Canadian art — painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, digital works, installations, and interdisciplinary pieces.
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Permanent Collection: The centre holds over 17,000 works since starting its collection in 1964. This includes the archives of Robert Harris (1849-1919), known for The Fathers of Confederation, plus works by artists like Kathleen Daly, George Pepper, and others.
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Public Sculptures & Outdoor Features: Public sculptures are on display on the esplanades outside.
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Theatre & Festival Programming: The Centre is home to multiple theatre venues, including the Sobey Family Theatre, Mack Theatre, studio theatres, etc., hosting the annual Charlottetown Festival (for musicals, theatre, dance, and comedy) and year-round live performances.
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Arts Education & Workshops: The Centre offers school group tours, workshops, and studio programs. Some are “Art à la Carte” tours/workshops, Arts Discovery Days for Grade 4 & Grade 8 classes, etc.
Amenities & Facilities
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Theatres:
• Sobey Family Theatre (~1,100 seats)
• Mack Theatre (cabaret-style ~200 seats)
• Studio theatres & Memorial Hall available for rentals and events. -
Box Office:
• Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Sundays.
• The box office opens 2.5 hours before Sobey Family Theatre shows and remains open until 30 minutes after performances.
• Gift cards/vouchers are available. -
Accessibility:
• Wheelchair access via Queen Street entrance and Richmond Street entrance.
• The site is mobile-accessible.
Tours & Group Visits
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School/Group Tours & Workshops:
• Available Tuesdays through Fridays, at 10:00 AM or 1:00 PM.
• Must be booked in advance (6-8 weeks for some programs) for best availability.
• Programs include visual arts educators, combining a gallery tour with a studio workshop.
Final Note
The Confederation Centre of the Arts is more than just a theatre or gallery—it is a central hub that connects the history of Canada with contemporary artistic expression. Whether you come for an art exhibition, a theatre performance, or an educational workshop, you’ll find roots, innovation, and inspiration.