Coinciding with the opening of United Active Living’s Fish Creek community, United and St. Mary’s University agreed to pursue mutually beneficial initiatives in education, research, and community outreach.

Students benefit from the opportunity to learn from and work with residents. Residents, in turn, enjoy educational talks, performances by student artists and musicians, and participation in campus initiatives such as choir and religious services, alongside many opportunities for intergenerational connection and learning.

From resident engagement in MRU’s intergenerational speaker series to outings and in-community musical performances from gifted students of the Conservatory, United Active Living’s partnership with MRU hosts a myriad of opportunities for lifelong learning.

Through the years, United has discovered many ways to partner with MRU, working with English program students to create a “Writers in Residence” program giving voice to the life experiences of residents. The MRU Arts and Culture series features University faculty engaging with our residents on diverse topics—from politics to Bach.

Partnership initiatives with this post-secondary partner provide residents with learning opportunities that expand the meaning of community. In return, students and faculty discover that learning has no age limits.

The Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo is an ingrained part of the Calgary community and a favourite destination for all ages. For almost 100 years, Calgarians and visitors have frequented the zoo to learn, explore, and play.

The Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo is passionate about inspiring and educating about the importance of biodiversity and conservation. From talks with conservation experts in United’s communities, to unique and personalized guided experiences of the Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo, residents learn about how together, we can be a force of nature for making the world a wilder place.

A cultural shift has started, and THIRD ACTion Film Festival is but one more pebble in the landslide that is age-positive living in life’s third act. For the vast majority of Canadians, the third act will be the last three decades of our life. THIRD ACTion Film Festival’s focus is to celebrate aging and the accomplishments of older adults to catalyze an age-positive culture shift and empower everyone to envision their best third act.

As a sponsor of THIRD ACTion Film Festival, United Active Living residents have exclusive screenings curated just for them by the Festival’s Executive Director, which often include personalized greetings from the filmmakers and post-screening discussions of the films.

Since 1975, Lunchbox Theatre has been presenting engaging and accessible one-act plays, focusing on new Canadian works that examine and explore socially relevant issues. Located in Calgary’s downtown core, the theatre company is recognized as one of the most successful and longest running noon hour theatre companies in the world!

Lunchbox Theatre’s partnership with United Active Living brings theatre artists, actors, and behind-the-scenes experts into United communities to give talks on the business of live theatre, including a range of engaging topics from dramaturgy to set production. The partnership also sees residents enjoying preferred reserved seating for premiere performances

Honens, home of Canada’s international piano competition, fosters the art of piano performance, identifies and supports outstanding young artists, and sparks and enhances appreciation and understanding of the piano and piano music.

The Honens Piano Competition takes place every three years and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious events of its kind. The annual Honens Festival is one of Canada’s premier annual piano events. United’s partnership with Honens sees residents heading to concert halls each year for Honens Festival performances, and enjoying intimate in-house recitals by world-class Honens Laureates.

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has been a cornerstone of Calgary’s arts community since 1955. It is one of North America’s most versatile live music ensembles, presenting an average of 85 concerts a year featuring music from classical giants to rock and roll hits and family favourites.

In partnership with United Active Living, the Calgary Phil welcomes residents to the Jack Singer Concert Hall for a behind-the-scenes experience during open rehearsals. Residents also enjoy up-close-and-personal performances in their communities, with unique perspectives, performances, and lectures shared by Calgary Phil artists on everything from life as a working musician to up-close study of the instruments behind the music.

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra is a high energy, passionate, and fun group of musicians whose goal is to engage and reach its audience with every song. Led by the inimitable trumpeter, singer, arranger, and composer Johnny Summers, the atmosphere during performances at United is upbeat and fun and consistently enjoyed by all ages and musical tastes. Musicians are personable and witty, with laughter a guaranteed staple of every show. United residents also enjoy venturing out for Calgary Jazz Orchestra concerts, or staying in to take in duo ensemble performances for intimate and interactive experiences with members of the Orchestra.

The Calgary Civic Symphony has been performing for Calgarians for more than 40 years, its orchestra made up of amateur musicians who volunteer their time and talent for the love of music. United’s partnership with the Civic Symphony includes principal sponsorship of the Symphony’s concertmaster.

A key feature of the partnership are musical performances held in United communities alongside outings to attend concerts at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Residents also enjoy a private pre-concert meet and greet with an opportunity to meet the Maestro and Music Director for an intimate glimpse into the inner workings of the Calgary Civic Symphony.

Alberta Ballet thrills and inspires audiences with unparalleled productions. Alberta Ballet was founded in 1966 in Edmontonby Ruth Carse and Muriel Taylor. Today, it is a holistic ecosystem: a major professional performing arts company with an integrated and internationally renowned ballet training institution.

As a partner of Alberta Ballet, United’s residents enjoy a unique perspective of performance as guests of onstage rehearsals. Residents also take in exclusive talks, exploring various aspects of the ballet, including perspectives from behind-the-scenes shared by artists and members of the Alberta Ballet team.