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Remembering Horst Schmid, former Alberta Minister of Culture
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The Honourable Horst Schmid, one of the architects and driving forces behind the creation of the Alberta Art Foundation and the AFA Art Collection passed away on April 4, 2026, at the age of 92.
Born in Munich, he immigrated to Canada in 1952 and made Edmonton his home in 1956. Active in the culture and heritage scene, he was the host of the long-running radio program on CKUA, “Music and News from the German-Speaking Countries of Europe” and opened the Bavarian-themed eatery, The Hofbrähaus, in the late 1960s.
Schmid entered politics in 1971 when he was elected MLA for Edmonton-Avonmore leading to his appointment as Alberta’s first Minister of Culture by Premier Peter Lougheed. He was the first Minister of Culture in Alberta, marking the first time a dedicated Cabinet position for arts and culture was created within any level of government in Canada. He served in this capacity from 1971 to 1979.
A champion of the arts, Schmid was instrumental in establishing the Alberta Art Foundation (AAF) in 1972, the organization that would eventually become the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. The mandate of the AAF was to build an art collection that would celebrate Alberta art and the artists who created these unique artworks. He donated the first artwork to the AFA Art Collection, a print featuring former Alberta Premier Don Getty’s Edmonton Elks (formerly “Eskimos”) player card.
As we remember Schmid’s legacy, we look back at his words in 2022 as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the AFA Art Collection.
“Art, as far as I’m concerned, is at the basic foundation of any human being because it enriches the life of the human being.”
We are eternally grateful for his vision, dedication and passion for the arts. Leaving a lasting impact on the province and nation’s arts and culture landscape.