Centennial Celebrations
Right On Track was a six-week exhibit, and a gala evening celebrated in 1906-style to mark the day that Saskatoon was declared a city. This celebration event was for the citizens of Saskatoon to mark the city’s 100th birthday. Presented at the Western Development Museum in the city’s 100th year, the event provided an opportunity to look back at significant historical moments in Saskatoon, especially focusing on transportation in establishing Saskatoon as a hub of central Saskatchewan.
Celebrating Our People was a one-day event comprised of three main components: the Showcase, Theatre Show and Gala Banquet that collaborated as a dynamic celebration of the spirit of Saskatoon’s citizens. Focusing on the present in relation to Cultural, Social/Community, Economic and Environment; the event was developed to provide opportunities for participation of existing cultural organizations and professionals alongside the private sector and volunteers to come together and show a “thin slice” of the city in one location on one day. There was a firm commitment to use local artists, technicians, businesses and organizations with appropriate levels of compensation and recognition provided. Accessibility and inclusiveness were keys to the event, so a “no-charge” element was designed along with a paid component.
Cultural Crescent
The Crescent is a joint cultural heritage tourism development initiative of Saskatoon’s three city-centre business improvement districts (BIDs), The Partnership, On Broadway and The Village of Riversdale. The district defined as the Crescent, hosts a myriad of cultural and heritage assets and amenities in Saskatoon’s three historic commercial districts. This unique collection of amenities offers visitors a multi-faceted experience that includes various arts events, cultural festivals, museums, art and craft galleries, heritage attractions, restaurants, entertainment and shopping venues. A number of development-oriented goals have been identified as part of this project, which are designed to enhance the existing attractions and build a continuum of cultural tourism venues and spaces throughout the Crescent. This project, in its entirety, will provide a framework for developing ongoing tourism and business development in the Crescent district well into the future.
Cultural Tourism
Culture shines in Saskatoon! Saskatoon is a vibrant cosmopolitan centre with all the amenities and a lot of heart. Art, culture and heritage are the soul of the city with world-class events, festivals and celebrations showcasing the diversity and spirit of the community. With such a wealth of cultural opportunities currently existing within the city, this project has implemented a strategic marketing initiative to promote culture both within Saskatoon and, more importantly, the broader tourism market.
Artists in the Community
Creating mosaic fish for River Landing, painting from a wheelchair, presenting a play on the history of a community, using art to explore new Canadians’ issues, finding connections between science and art, building a youth float for the Exhibition parade, capturing the stories of a street – these all occurred as part of Saskatoon’s Artists in the Community program. The project came about as a result of the Cultural Capitals initiative and was a partnership between the Saskatchewan Arts Board and the City of Saskatoon. Visual, theatre, multi-disciplinary and media artists worked with host organizations the Canadian Light Source, the Crescent, Immigrant and Refugee Partners, Meewasin Valley Authority, Montgomery Place and Silverspring Community Associations, Saskatoon Health Region, Saskatoon Housing Authority and a Twentieth Street group of arts agencies. While using the arts to explore relationships between creativity and place, artists and participants have had opportunities to make new connections and develop networks. There has been increased access to arts and culture with opportunities to pass on knowledge and find new reasons to take pride in the achievements of the community.
Creative Connections (Building Cultural Bridges)
We have entered a creative age in which cultural, scientific and technological innovation is driving the future of out cities and communities. Creativity and culture permeate every aspect of life in Saskatoon. They drive economic development, foster inclusion, enhance quality of life, and define our city nationally and internationally. They are the basis of a better life for all.
Creative Connections is one component of the Cultural Capitals Program. Its purpose is to promote Saskatoon’s potential as a creative city and to foster the conditions necessary for culture and creativity to thrive. The project is a partnership among the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the City of Saskatoon, and the University of Saskatchewan.
Overall direction and guidance is being provided by a Cultural Roundtable chaired by University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon and composed of leaders from across government, business, university and cultural communities. A Steering Committee guides the day-to-day management of the project. Creative Connections will mobilize collaboration and resources across all sectors and work to integrate creativity and culture in policies, plans and investments.
The Project Components are:
Cultural Mapping is a process to identify and mobilize the extraordinary creative and cultural resources that exist in Saskatoon and to engage the community in exploring our creative identity and unique sense of place.
Governance and Collaboration is putting in place a sustainable framework to support creative and cultural development.
Creative City Summit will anchor the project. It is a major gathering to report on project results and set the stage for future cultural development beyond the Cultural Capitals of Canada Program.
Public Art
The beauty of Public Art is that it is accessible to all and encourages community involvement in order to create, implement, and install the works. The Public Art Project has inspired collaboration within all projects by bringing civic staff, contractors, subcontractors, curators, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Business Improvement Districts, researchers, First Nations’ Elders, local engineers, national foundries and more than 20 artists together to implement the public art concept within the City of Saskatoon.
- The Third Avenue Roundabout Art Installation was awarded to Mr. Hans Holtkamp to create the John Lake and Chief Whitecap sculpture.
- Ms. Elizabeth Yonza was awarded the commission for the Riverfront Path Art Installation with her submission of ‘Cut Out of Time’.
- A collaboration of the Prairie Design Group and the Saskatchewan Arts Board created ‘Launch Time’ which was installed within the River Landing Phase I.
- The three BIDs in collaboration with the City of Saskatoon have administered the project to install Murals within all three districts.
- The City of Saskatoon Land Branch in collaboration with Saskatchewan First Nations’ Elders has designed and installed Tree Grates within the River Landing Phase I.
- The Art Lab Project and the Temporary Sculptures Project are just starting with the implementation stage; the intention of these projects is that Temporary Sculptures brings new public art to Saskatoon and that the Art Lab culminates all Public Art within Saskatoon into one publicly accessible location for easy viewing and tours of Saskatoon’s wonderful artworks.
Unveilings and launches of all these Public Art works will be developed and advertised within our city throughout the year. Please keep your eyes on the Cultural Capitals Events Calendar for dates and locations of all Cultural Capitals of Canada Events.
For more information contact: Frances Westlund, Arts & Grants Consultant, City of Saskatoon, (306) 975-3391.
