Arts & Culture Activities
Poetry Downtown
October 1, 2022 - May 31, 2023
Poetry Downtown was inspired by a challenge from Parliamentary Poet Laureate of Canada Louise Halfe encouraging municipalities to bring poetry to public places. The project is a partnership with Downtown Saskatoon.
The Poetry Downtown project features poems from six local poets displayed on the 3rd Avenue poster directories between 19th Street and 23nd Street in Downtown Saskatoon. The theme of the project is Reconciliation.
Launched on October 1, the project will be on display until May 31, 2023. A Call for Submissions was issued in July of 2022. The six selected poets and their poem titles are: Robert Benz: The Colour of Sky, Lisa Bird-Wilson: Beside a Residential School, Lauren Klassen: O’ Canada, Mika Lafond: Unapologetic, Jada Morin: it’s always so sad to see, and Jenny Ryan: Sask..
The goals of the project are:
- to enhance and move forward with Reconciliation
- to provide opportunities for artistic expression in the city centre
- to inspire the public through poetry
- to connect the work of local poets to the community
The public is encouraged to walk along 3rd Avenue and reflect on the poetry.
Aspiring poets are encouraged to contact the Writer-in-Residence at the Saskatoon Public Library or the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild for information on programs and resources for people wanting to learn more about writing poetry.
Bunkhouse Pop-Up Gallery Program
Artists in Place: The Bunkhouse Project is expanding to include a Gallery Pop-Up Program. Gallery space is available to local emerging and established Saskatoon artists for public art exhibits on Saturdays and Sundays. This new pilot program will take place in the historic Bunkhouse at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo (SFFPZ) between July 2, 2022 and March 26, 2023.
Applications are accepted on an on-going basis. Artists may book one weekend per month to a maximum of four weekends per year.
Priority will be given to artists from 2SLGBTQQIA+, BIPOC, people with disabilities, and other equity groups and/or artists who have taken part in the Artists in Place: The Bunkhouse Project residency program and/or artists who want to exhibit work that is inspired by the SFFPZ. Artwork displayed must be suitable for an all-ages civic facility.
See the following document for more information and how to apply:
Bunkhouse Pop-Up Gallery Information and Application Form
Participants in the Bunkhouse Pop-up Gallery Program are required to complete a follow-up form:
Upcoming Exhibitions
Kei Tanaka
A New Year with Friends: A gallery and sale of art, calendars, and cards from Kei's 2023 calendars, "A Year With Friends" and "Finding Fairies".
Sunday, December 4
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Azeret
A Spot of Colour Will Cheer You: A collection of new and whimsical art that is meant to cheer away the winter blahs.
Saturday, March 4
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday, March 5
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Saskatoon: Where the Art Is
In the fall of 2019 the City of Saskatoon hosted the Creative City Network of Canada Summit. This three day conference for municipal cultural workers provided an opportunity for Saskatoon to share knowledge and highlight its dynamic arts and culture scene. Saskatoon artist Andrei Feheregyhazi was selected to create a short animated film to promote this event. His film, Saskatoon: Where the Art Is, is sponsored by Saskatchewan's Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport and the City of Saskatoon. The composition for the video was created by local musician, Dean Summach.
Culture Days
Every year, in the last weekend of September, Culture Days activities are available in Saskatoon. Culture Days is a national event that is free to participants and involves hands-on experiences that provide the public “backstage” or “behind-the-scenes” access to share in how art is made.
It is an invitation to the public to connect, engage and co-create in an innovative way in the arts. There are many opportunities for engagement and participation. Local businesses and emerging artists are encouraged to host and collaborate with artistic troupes in diverse cultural practices.
Creating Community: A Brief History of Arts and Culture in Saskatoon
Researched and written by Saskatoon writer Regine Haensel in 2011, this booklet traces the development of arts and heritage in Saskatoon. A cultural timeline of milestone events is also included.
Creating Community: A Brief History of Arts and Culture in Saskatoon