Killarney Turtle Mountain Arts Council

The Killarney Turtle Mountain Arts Council (KTMAC) provides opportunities for Killarney citizens of all ages to enjoy and participate in the arts and cultural activities of our community. Through the Heritage Home for the Arts, Killarney’s community arts and culture centre, the Council is able to provide stimulating, thought-provoking and appealing exhibitions that showcase local and regional artists and that attract people from all over the province. The only such space in Killarney, the Heritage Home is a public amenity, a hub of activity and a gathering place for learning.

The Heritage Home offers classes and workshops on a variety of different types of artistic expression as well as a space for artists to come together to share their work and learn new techniques. The Heritage Home is a resource for anyone in the community wanting to learn more about the arts or wanting to try their hand at a new type of artwork.

For lovers of the performing arts, KTMAC presents an annual Performing Arts series featuring established and emerging artists. Performances are held at a variety of venues throughout the community and include performers from diverse musical genres and backgrounds.

Funding for the ongoing operational work of KTMAC is almost entirely through donations and fundraising with the exception of a Municipal two-year operating grant. The restoration of the Heritage Home, a capital project, was funded by municipal and provincial governments, corporate and small business donations, foundations and the generous support of community donors.

The Arts Council currently receives project funding to help offset the costs of the performing arts series and festival through the federal Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF)as well as Manitoba Arts, Culture, Sport and Community Fund and the Manitoba Arts Council. Community sponsors such as HyLife, Chapman Motors and Killarney Pharmacy, Killarney Guide, Killarney Optometric and Deb Robins at Century 21 as well as Lewis and Jones continue to support the Performing Arts series as series, show and hospitality and media sponsors. KTMAC also receives exhibition funding for major exhibitions through the Manitoba Arts Council.

Hours and Admission

The Centre is open regularly 5 days per week for monthly exhibitions – from Tuesday to Saturday, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Workshops and classes are held evenings and weekends and are geared towards all age groups.

All of the activities are open to the public and, wherever possible, are provided at a nominal fee. All of the exhibitions are free of charge but donations are always welcome.

Description of the historic heritage property:

The Demonstration Farm House in Killarney, now the Heritage Home for the Arts, is a rare and surviving link to an early phase in the Manitoba government's efforts in agricultural research and education. Built in 1915 as a single-family dwelling, the structure housed the manager of an Agricultural Demonstration Facility established when George Lawrence, a Killarney pioneer, was Manitoba's Minister of Agriculture.

The purpose of the demonstration farm was to identify and promote farming practices and crop varieties suited to this particular region of the province. The large dwelling, with its prominent dormers and wide shady veranda, is a fine example of the typical four-square farmhouses built across southern Manitoba in the early 1900s. Although subject to various uses since the demonstration farm was closed in 1946, including as a Royal Canadian Mountain Police barracks, a private school, and a museum, the house retains much of its exterior integrity and interior layout and character.