The objectives of this non-profit society, which was registered in 1980 and is under the patronage of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee, are to commemorate events of historical and cultural significance; to educate, promote and foster an appreciation for the Ukrainian heritage; and to relieve poverty and to promote and encourage national and international aid and development. The Society is governed by an elected board consisting of 8 volunteer directors and 5 table officers. The formal membership steadily declined over 1990s from 53 to 17.
The Society has a charitable number enabling donors to receive tax deductible receipts. The funds are primarily raised through casino events as well as individual and institutional donations. The language of administration used to be Ukrainian until mid 1990s, when the reports started to be produced in English. The list of past Presidents includes Mr. Batiuk, W. Kunda, Dr. D. Todosijczuk and Peter Savaryn. Since its inception, the Society has seen over two million dollars go through its accounts for various Ukrainian projects. The Society's projects included erection of a statue, “Pioneer Family,” in 1980 at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village; the Ukrainian Centre for Multimedia; the “Great Famine Monument;” various scholarships; the Foundation of the Encyclopedia of Ukraine; and the Children of Chernobyl Fund. The AUCS sponsored various Ukrainian events, visits of Ukrainian leaders, academics and similar notables, initiated translation of medical textbooks from English to Ukrainian in conjunction with the Alberta Ukrainian Medical Society, and sponsored various research and literary publications.
The Society regularly supported the following organizations and initiatives: Friends of the Ukrainian Village Society, Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Chair of Ukrainian Folklore at the University of Alberta, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, Encyclopedia of Ukraine project, Alberta Parents for Ukrainian Education Society, Ukrainian Students' Club and many others.
The Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts (ACUA) was founded as a volunteer council in 1986. The purpose of the ACUA was to interest ethnic Ukrainian visual and performing artists in their heritage in order that their work stimulate growth of Ukrainian culture in Alberta. ACUA emerged from the planning for Festival '88, the largest celebration of Ukrainian arts in North America to that time. Festival '88 was held in Edmonton and Vegreville in June and July of 1988 to mark the millennium of Christianity in Ukraine and featured 2,800 dancers, music, and other cultural displays.
ACUA is a non-profit organization incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta with the specific mandate to facilitate and encourage greater appreciation and awareness of the Ukrainian arts and their cultural significance to the greater Alberta community. This mandate is accomplished through the publication of the biannual Ukrainian arts and culture magazine, ACUA Vitae; the provision of annual scholarships through the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre and Grant MacEwan University and through the Friends of the Ukrainian Folklore Centre at the University of Alberta; publication of an artists' directory; annual artist shows in Edmonton, Calgary, and Jasper; and ongoing arts workshops.
ACUA is governed by a Board of Directors that consists of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, past president, and several directors-at-large. The office is located in Edmonton.