New program to support the arts

A new arts program was launched in Yorkton last Wednesday which should help cultural organizations partner with businesses in ways beneficial to both.

That is at the core of the artsVest program outlined at the press conference in Yorkton.

artsVest is a matching incentive program of Business for the Arts (BftA), with funding support from Canadian Heritage, the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, Canadian Heritage and support from SaskCulture Inc.

Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said the program is one he believes will aid cultural groups.

"It's an exciting event today," he said, adding the program fosters " strong partnerships between artistic organizations and business."

The inaugural edition of artsVest will run for a minimum of two years, and Ottenbreit said it is expected 120 cultural organizations will benefit through partnerships with 250 businesses, partnerships which will be helped by the new program.

"We believe this program is well-suited to our province's demographics," he said, adding he believes artsVest will help cultural organizations in smaller communities build new relationships which bring support from business.

Such partnerships will benefit cultural organizations, individual artists and communities, said Ottenbreit.

"When you think about it the opportunities are endless," he said.

Laura Adler, national program manager with Business for the Arts, explained her organization "is a national association of business leaders who support the arts." She added those business leaders believe "investing in the arts is good for business."

It was that interest which led BftA to launch artsVest in Ontario, and now to bring it west with the support of their partners, said Adler.

It is thanks to the partner groups cultural organizations getting support direct from business can also be eligible for additional grant dollars through artsVest, said Adler.

Joelene Kotzer-Mitschke, regional enterprise manager with Enterprise Saskatchewan in Yorkton said the new program should build on an existing strength in the province.

Saskatchewan has a history of producing outstanding artistic talent, she said, citing the likes of Joni Mitchell, W.O. Mitchell, and The Sheepdogs.

Kotzer-Mitschke said artsVest will give cultural groups new tools to work with business.

"Now more than ever artists need to be business people too," she said. " They need to have the ability not just to put themselves out there, but to break out

"Saskatchewan artists are poised and ready for that breakout opportunity."

The new program will help groups get much needed funding too, said Kotzer-Mitschke. "artsVest provides an opportunity to leverage funds from the private sector," she said.

The eligibility for cultural organizations includes;

*Must be an incorporated, not-for-profit and/or registered charitable cultural organization in existence for a minimum of two years,

*Must be a stand-alone cultural organization (cannot fall under the umbrella of a non-arts/heritage organization),

*Collaboration and partnerships between two or more cultural organizations are eligible and encouraged; one organization must be selected to represent the group as a whole,

*May be a cultural organization that comes under the jurisdiction of the municipality.

The first step in applying for artsVest support is to attend one of six workshops to be held around the province from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7.

The Yorkton workshop is scheduled for Nov. 23 at the Gallagher Centre. For more information contact Sheila at 782-3353, or email [email protected]