Art lovers unite

Times Reporter

 

During his time as a Town Councillor, Brad Walls saw different groups come to council meetings and suggest creating an arts council. 

In November, Walls decided to take advantage of some of his free time and start investigating the possibility and feasibility of creating the council. 

“What I have been doing the past couple of months has been meeting with different user groups and researching what their needs are, and what they are looking for, and basically getting an understanding of how they see this arts council running,” said Walls. 

He wanted to see what the main issues are and what they hope to get out of the council.  

“What I’m thinking, is once this arts council is formed and we can start working forward, then I’m hoping maybe there’s some funding,” said Walls.

He said he thinks some different groups that he hasn’t talked to have maybe come to the same steps he is at, with trying to figure out what to do for funding.  

“I think we’re on a three step process. I think the first step is we need to get the groups together that are interested,” said Walls. 

“The second step is forming the arts council and the third step I think you need to have a strategic planning session.” 

“I’ve been speaking with the Alberta Arts Council and there are some operating grants available.” 

He said he is under the impression that once the council is formed it, will be easier for them to apply for and receive grants. Walls said he has also been speaking with the Allied Arts Council out of Lethbridge. He said he is still looking for some of the people and groups he hasn’t approached yet  to hear what they would like to see.  

“I guess when I say arts council, I’m thinking of a museum, I’m thinking of theatre players, I’m thinking of the Musical Arts Society, I’m thinking of acting, I’m thinking of anything that really falls under that umbrella of (the) arts,” said Walls. 

“The general consensus seems to be the groups are looking for an arts council to work with the community to establish a building. They are also hoping the arts council will develop a cohesiveness within the groups, a willingness to work together.” 

He said a lot of groups are running month to month and they are trying to find a way to become sustainable. One of the questions he poses is where do they see themselves in five years. He said some of them are saying they hope to have money in the bank and be bigger, but feel they may still be at the same place as they are now.  

“The consensus seems to be if the arts council was there it would almost set that network up so they could access that next step where they need to be,” said Walls.

Walls will be at the Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce luncheon in February to discuss the arts council. He said his end goal is to have the council operating by June.

To find out more or to join call Brad at 403-934-0349.