Maple Ridge ACT Arts Centre

The ACT Arts Centre is a community art and theatre venue in Maple Ridge. It’s at the edge of the Memorial Peace Park next to the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre.

Maple Ridge’s ACT Arts Centre

The ACT Arts Centre has been a centrepiece of the Maple Ridge arts and culture scene since it opened its doors in 2003. It hosts shows of all kinds and offers public workshops for those of all ages.

The venue includes the nearly 500-seat Mainstage Theatre as well as the 150-seat Studio Theatre. There are also a pair of studios for visual art activities and the ACT Art Gallery which showcases works from local artists.

The centre is located at 11944 Haney Place in downtown Maple Ridge. There’s an underground parkade which is the best place to park as you’re not allowed to do so in front of the building.

Continue reading to learn about what the ACT Arts Centre has to offer. Click Vancouver Theatre Companies and Venues to learn about some of the other great art hubs in the Lower Mainland.

Shows and Events at the ACT Arts Centre

The ACT Arts Centre typically features around 30 to 50 live performances each year. The performances cover all sorts of mediums. Some of the regular series held at the ACT Arts Centre include the Listening Lounge (a collection of varied musical acts), Theatre Series, Sunday Chamber Music and TIFF Circuit film series.

Examples of events happening at the ACT Arts Centre in early 2025 include the following:

Serenades & Voyages – a Sunday Chamber Music series event that features scores from famous movies and plays. (January 19th, 2025.)
Epidermis Circus – a “spicy” puppet cabaret that’s recommended for audiences that are a minimum of 14 years of age. (January 25th and 26th, 2025.)
Ali Hassan: Does This Taste Funny? – the comedian from CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud performs at the ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge. (February 1st, 2025.)
EZRA – a TIFF Circuit comedy drama about a divorced stand-up comedian who struggles with raising his autistic son. (February 2nd, 2025.)
Someone Like You – a modern retelling of the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac that’s set in present-day Vancouver (February 8th and 9th, 2025.)
Chris Funk: The Wonderist Magician – a magician who blends comedy and music into his act. (February 17th, 2025.)

For the most up-to-date schedule click ACT Arts Centre Events.

Arts Learning Programs and the ArtBar

The ACT Arts Centre isn’t just for enjoying art. It’s for learning as well. The centre offers a wide variety of learning programs for those of all ages. Some of them are single-day workshops and others are longer-term series.

The available programs as of the last time we checked included music, dance, theatre, visual arts, ceramics and pottery, and textiles. There are also Pro-D Day and Spring Break camps for children.

The ACT Arts Centre also offers adult-only workshops with its special ArtBar evenings. These events are open to everyone ages 19 and older and they include a complimentary drink along with a two or three-hour workshop.

Below are the ArtBar nights scheduled for the first few months of 2025:

Wire Wrapping Pendants: Two Ways – with Nicole Giesbrecht (January 30th, 2025).
Soapstone Heart Carving – with Erin Larsen (February 13th, 2025).
Beaded Fringe Earrings – with Nicole Giesbrecht (February 27th, 2025).
Cut, Carve and Create: The Art of Relief Painting – with Arhea Robinson (March 13th, 2025).
Garden Design Workshop – with Charlotte Mitchell (March 27th, 2025).

To learn more see the ACT Arts Centre website.

The ACT Art Gallery

Located within the ACT Arts Centre, the ACT Art Gallery is a 1,400 square foot exhibition space that showcases works from both amateur and professional artists.

The gallery celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025. It’s open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm from Tuesday to Saturday each week. Admission is free, although donations are greatly appreciated.

At the ACT Art Gallery you can see works from local artists, nearly all of whom are from or based in BC. There are typically multiple exhibitions hosted at the gallery at any given time.