Feasibility study provides next steps for arts council

Times Reporter

 

Almost one year ago the Hope Bridges Society received a grant to help cover the costs of a feasibility study for a new arts facility in Strathmore. The grant came from the provincial government through the Rural Community Adaptation Program (RCAP). With guidance and expertise from RC Strategies, a Feasibility Study Committee was formed comprised of members of various local arts groups, Councilors from the Town and County, and local area residents, to work on and create the study, which was made public on Feb. 28. 

One of the key findings of the study was the need to form an ‘Arts Society/Council’ to represent the arts groups in the region.

“We’ve actually said it’s a pre-requisite to doing anything in terms of a facility,” said Michael Roma with RC Strategies. 

“The ultimate recommendation of the study is to form a regional arts council, and in this study there is some ideas as to what the composition should be. There’s a terms of reference in there that should an arts council be formed they could use that or they could modify it. The foundation is there for that to occur now, and I guess a sub recommendation is an actual facility concept.”

Roma said the facility outlined in the proposal is for a building equivalent to the Civic Centre, but specifically equipped to meet the needs of the arts community. Roma admitted that the facility outlined would not be realistic for the community now. The proposal outlines what would be needed to help the ‘Arts Council’ further arts programs in the area. 

 “That’s a good initiative, I think the approach that is being taken to plan with the future in mind is really important,” said MLA Arno Doerkson.

“There will be programs where we can partner with communities, there is a good model of that happening. I think that’s where the innovative thinking comes in too, to look at multi uses, or what kinds of local partnerships can we create to strengthen our community really.” 

Hope Bridges was the key to getting the feasibility study done, but from the beginning they have brought other groups in to share thoughts and opinions. Hope Bridges is still hoping to hear from different arts groups, such as culinary arts, dance groups, and many others.  

Some of the next steps outlined in the proposal are: the formation and capacity building of a new regional Arts Society with the support of the Town and County Councils; commitment by Town and County Councils to move forward with design and development of potential facility options; community fundraising for potential facility development options; design and construction of potential facility options once funding is secured; ongoing operations of arts programming and facilities throughout the region.