Rajkanwal Sidhu
Board Member
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Rajkanwal (Raj) Sidhu is a community leader and nonprofit executive with extensive experience in
operations, governance, community development, and stakeholder relations. He serves as Director of
Operations at Dashmesh Culture Centre, Calgary’s largest Sikh place of worship and a longstanding
community institution, where he oversees major capital projects, community programs, partnerships,
and organizational operations.
Raj is actively involved in initiatives supporting education, food security, housing, youth, seniors, and
community development, and regularly works with government, nonprofit, business, and community
partners across Calgary.
His interest in serving on the Calgary Philharmonic Board is also deeply personal. His wife, an avid supporter of the arts and live performance, was the person who first introduced him to a deeper appreciation and interest in the arts. Their young son has also attended Calgary Phil’s Sunday Symphonies for Kids. Seeing his son’s curiosity and engagement grow through these experiences, particularly through opportunities to see instruments up close, touch them, and connect what he hears with the musicians creating the sound, has reinforced Raj’s appreciation for early exposure to music and the arts. He hopes these experiences will continue to build a lifelong interest in music, creativity, and the arts.
Raj is particularly interested in helping create greater opportunities for youth, newcomers, minority communities, and families who may not traditionally see themselves represented in or connected to Calgary’s arts community. He believes that increased access to music and the performing arts can strengthen belonging, inspire young people, and build lasting connections across Calgary’s diverse communities.
In recognition of his contributions to the community, Raj was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. He is passionate about strengthening Calgary’s cultural institutions, building meaningful community connections, and helping ensure the arts remain accessible and welcoming to future generations.
His interest in serving on the Calgary Philharmonic Board is also deeply personal. His wife, an avid supporter of the arts and live performance, was the person who first introduced him to a deeper appreciation and interest in the arts. Their young son has also attended Calgary Phil’s Sunday Symphonies for Kids. Seeing his son’s curiosity and engagement grow through these experiences, particularly through opportunities to see instruments up close, touch them, and connect what he hears with the musicians creating the sound, has reinforced Raj’s appreciation for early exposure to music and the arts. He hopes these experiences will continue to build a lifelong interest in music, creativity, and the arts.
Raj is particularly interested in helping create greater opportunities for youth, newcomers, minority communities, and families who may not traditionally see themselves represented in or connected to Calgary’s arts community. He believes that increased access to music and the performing arts can strengthen belonging, inspire young people, and build lasting connections across Calgary’s diverse communities.
In recognition of his contributions to the community, Raj was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. He is passionate about strengthening Calgary’s cultural institutions, building meaningful community connections, and helping ensure the arts remain accessible and welcoming to future generations.