Soulful music filled the auditorium at the Royal Alberta Museum Thurs­day, as musician James Clarke, 19, delivered a taste of what’s to come on Alberta Arts Days.

Clarke, an up-and-coming musician and classically trained pianist, will be participating in the three-day arts and culture celebration taking place across the province this Sept 18 - 20.

“I think the arts are never really given enough credit as it deserves,” Clarke said.

He hopes Alberta Arts Days will help showcase the city and the province’s artistic talent.

Currently, more than 302 arts events in 71 communities in Alberta are being planned for Arts Days, with all provincially owned historic sites and museums offering free admission.

“Our vision for Arts Days is for all Albertans to discover, experience, and celebrate a unique blend of peoples and passions and the importance of arts and culture to a healthy and vital Alberta,” said Heather Klimchuk, minister of Service Alberta and a local artist herself.

Live music performances, art displays, talent shows and more are just some of the events planned for Arts Days.

“If you just look even barely under the surface of the Edmonton music and arts scene, there’s so much raw talent available and upcoming artists and people with so much creative passion behind them,” Clarke said.

For a list of celebratory events across the province, go to http://albertaartsdays.ca.