Don’t let the size of our small village fool you – we’re home to a live and thriving art scene. From visual arts to theatre and music, follow our full guide to enjoy it all.
Ancaster is known for its natural formations, trails, and waterfalls on the escarpment. Still, we’re unveiling another hidden gem our village offers – intimate galleries, captivating musical performances, and so much more.
As a boutique inn nestled in Ancaster, our team has a front-row seat to watch it all. We’ve assembled this guide to help you navigate our flourishing art scene and enjoy everything our local artists have to offer.
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre
The Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre (AMAC) is a central point for much of our art scene, serving as a dynamic hub for creative expression on the stage, the canvas, and the workshop.
AMAC hosts rotating exhibitions on its gallery walls, featuring impressive works from local, national, and international artists telling inspiring visual stories.
Live Theatre at AMAC
If you enjoy performing arts, AMAC has no shortage of great shows. Enjoy Tony-award-winning musicals like Spring Awakening, The Sound of Music, or the spy comedy The 39 Steps. The Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre rotates shows regularly so that you can catch something fresh every season.
Workshops at AMAC
For a more hands-on approach to art, take on a workshop or painting class to hone your talents and get your brushes dirty. This fall, you can enjoy a six-week course on painting the seasons and learn how to harness the power of colour in the six-week “Expression Through Colour” class. These courses change seasonally, so you can enjoy learning and enhancing your artistic skills.
Live Ancaster Events at AMAC
Beyond theatre and workshops, there are live events a-plenty to enjoy at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, including musical tributes to the greats, like Van Morrison, Hamilton film festival presentations, holiday-themed performances, cross-cultural musical experiences, and renowned musicians, like Murray McLauchlan.
The Carnegie Gallery
Located just down the road from us in Dundas, Ontario, the Carnegie Gallery offers intimate displays of local and national art, pottery, and more. They showcase established and emerging artists, offering incredible exposure for the artist and audience alike.
Beyond exhibitions, the gallery builds a real sense of community, hosting artist talks, workshops, lecture series’, and even bus tours to check out local gems like St. Jacobs.
Theatre Ancaster
Theatre Ancaster is a community cornerstone, performing centre-stage at their host, the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre. Enjoy incredible musicals, thought-provoking dramas, hilarious comedies, and entertainment for all ages.
If you have young talent to nurture, look no further than Theatre Ancaster’s Conservatory Youth programs – adult programs are also available.
BROTT Music Festival
This local festival, with international acclaim, was founded by the late Boris Brott, a renowned Canadian conductor and musical visionary. For several weeks every summer, world-class musicians flock to Ancaster to take the stage and perform their art for audiences. Enjoy intimate chamber music, orchestral spectacles, operatic performances, and everything in between.
The BROTT Festival also offers an intensive training and mentorship program that includes masterclasses, seminars, runout tours, and mock auditions. Some of Canada’s top musicians will mentor you to help you build a solid career in the arts.
Creations Gallery
Creations Gallery hosts an impressive Canadian and international art collection, rotating regularly for fresh takes. This Ancaster art gallery sells much of its displayed works to the public, and they even offer art restoration and framing services for your most precious pieces.
Hamilton All-Star Jazz Bands
Enjoy the smooth sounds of jazz in Ancaster and Hamilton with epic performances from these ensembles. These young talents are selected through a rigorous testing process, bringing their energy to audiences of all ages. Enjoy performance showcases throughout the year, from big-band classics to soulful ballads.
The Hamilton All-Star Jazz Band was formed in 1984 on a mission to enrich our talented local musicians and enhance the Ancaster performing arts. Enjoy ensembles of all ages, starting at 11 and growing all the way through adulthood.
The Barracks Inn—Boutique Inn Ancaster
Ancaster’s thriving art scene packs big-city creativity into a small-town setting. Enjoy the many forms of art our village has to offer. Spend a day checking out some Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre events, walking throughthe Creations Gallery, and listening to jazz musicians’ vocal stylings.
If you are coming to enjoy the arts, we hope you will decide to stay in our boutique hotel, The Barracks Inn. We’re proud to be one of the best hotels in Ancaster, Ontario, located right in the heart of the scene. Enjoy a luxurious and personalized stay after a long day of artistic adventures.
Book a room today to start planning your next artistic getaway and enjoy all Ancaster has to offer!