Support the Centre
About the Centre
Art Gallery
Arts Academy
Palmer Institute
On Stage
School Groups
In addition to its core programs, the Arts Academy is proud to offer a wide range of accessible learning opportunities designed to engage the broader community. From hands-on workshops for school groups and dynamic art camps for young creators, to customized professional development sessions for educators, private groups, and corporate teams, the Academy is committed to making the arts available to all.
Art À La Carte – Customized Activities for School Groups (Preschool to University)
Confederation Centre is pleased to introduce a new, customizable art activity program: Art À La Carte. Available in English or French, experienced arts educators use a variety of engaging, effective teaching strategies to connect your students to art — and art to your classroom. Activities can take place at the Centre or right in your own school.
Unless otherwise noted, there is a cost of $5 per student, per activity. If travelling to the Centre, schools must supply bussing, teachers, and/or substitute teachers if required.
Art À La Carte activity days are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only.
Activity Descriptions — 25 to 45 minutes each
Canadian History
The Great Canadian Bargain: The Charlottetown Conference of 1864 is a fast-paced, role-playing negotiation game where participants become the Fathers of Confederation. Set in 1864, students debate, bargain, and form alliances to decide whether the colonies should unite to create Canada. With limited budgets, secret roles, and competing interests, players must use critical thinking, persuasion, and teamwork to win. This interactive game brings Canadian history to life—showing that Confederation wasn’t inevitable, but the result of tough choices, clever compromises, and high-stakes deal-making. .
PEI History
After a brief introduction to a topic by our historical interpreter, groups are led through an age-appropriate class activity.
Dance
Students explore a variety of dance styles and learn locomotor dance steps as they work through a selected theme or curriculum tie-in.
Music May–June only
Students sing, play, move, and connect as they explore fundamental musical concepts like pitch, rhythm, and expression through fun songs, games, stories, and percussion instruments.
Theatre
Students explore various facets of life in the theatre — from the artistic work onstage, to the intricate work that happens backstage, to everything that keeps a production running smoothly.
Visual Arts — Four Options
Visual Arts
Choose the option that best fits your group.
Gallery Tour $2 per student
A one-hour tour of the current exhibits. Students build visual literacy and critical thinking skills as they are guided through the Gallery's offerings and encouraged to ask questions and share opinions. Exhibitions frequently address diverse topics including social justice, economics, history, Canadian identity, and more. Teachers are welcome to inquire about subjects related to their students' current studies.
Gallery Tour Plus
As described above, plus an in-gallery drawing activity or scavenger hunt.
Studio Workshop
Begins with a 15-minute introduction to a current Gallery exhibition or pieces from the permanent collection, followed by a 45-minute hands-on art-making activity related to the presentation. Activities may include drawing, painting, printmaking, or sculpture.
Combined Tour and Workshop $10 per student
A two-hour activity combining a Gallery Tour and a Studio Workshop.
Customize your visit
Art À La Carte content can be customized as needed — just describe what you're looking for in the inquiry form.
Complete the inquiry form below and email it to [email protected]. Bookings must be made at least 6–8 weeks in advance of the requested date(s).
Questions? Contact Dawn Ward-Dames, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at [email protected] or 902-628-6134.
Arts Discovery Days
Arts Discovery Days is a project of Confederation Centre of the Arts in partnership with the PEI Department of Education and Early Years. This free program welcomes three classes per day to the Centre, where students take part in workshops in movement, drama, and visual arts.
Schools receive the available dates at the beginning of each school year. Priority is given to schools or classes that did not attend in the previous year.
These hands-on sessions are tied to the grade 4 and grade 8 Social Studies and Arts Education curriculum, focusing on the concept of exploration (grade 4) and Canadian identity (grade 8). We are pleased to continue offering our grade 4 program to students following the French language curriculum.
For more information on Art À La Carte or Arts Discovery Days, please contact [email protected].
Corporate Workshops
Take your event beyond the boardroom with exclusive breakout experiences hosted at Confederation Centre of the Arts. Each workshop is led by our in-house artists and educators, offering your team a one-of-a-kind activity rooted in creativity, connection, and the performing and visual arts.
Move & Connect — Dance Workshop
The best antidote to back-to-back presentations? Getting on your feet. This high-energy, welcoming workshop gets your group moving, laughing, and connecting in ways no icebreaker ever could. No dance experience required — just a willingness to have fun.
Find Your Voice — Choral Team-Building Workshop
Led by Nick MacDonald, Director of Choral Music, this engaging session uses the power of group singing to build trust, sharpen listening skills, and energize your team. Together you'll learn a song from scratch — no musical experience needed. Leave with stronger connections and maybe a new party trick.
See the World Differently — Art Gallery Guided Tour
Step away from the conference room and into one of PEI's premier art galleries. Visual Arts Educator Andreas Fobes leads an immersive tour that sparks conversation, broadens perspective, and gives your team a shared cultural experience they'll be talking about long after the event.
Create Something — Art Studio Workshop
Hosted in the Schurman Art Studio, this hands-on session invites participants to reflect on the day's themes through art-making. No artistic background required — just curiosity and an open mind. Pair it with the Art Gallery tour for a deeper creative experience.
Go Backstage — Behind-the-Scenes Building Tour
Ever wonder what's behind the curtain? Cameron MacDonald takes your group through the back halls and backstage areas of Confederation Centre — a National Historic Site — revealing the building's rich history and the magic that happens offstage.
Ready to book?
Contact our events team to build the perfect package for your conference or corporate gathering.
Contact the Events TeamFAQS
Still have questions? Contact the Arts Academy at [email protected].
