Members of the board of the Arts Council for the South Shuswap played host to the Economic Development Advisory Committee for the Shuswap, which meets bi-monthly.
The meeting was held at the new Arts Council facility in the lower level of Carlin Hall on Nov. 26 and included community mayors and Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors, who were given a first-hand look at how a successful collaboration can foster economic development in one’s community.
“CSRD Area C Director Paul Demenok has toured the facility periodically over the last three months and is liking what he sees through this collaboration,” says Karen Brown. Arts Council administrator.
“He recognizes that programming and infrastructure needs to be put in place to attract and retain families living in the Shuswap.”
Demenok confirmed this at the Nov. 19 board meeting when he urged directors to support a $22,337 grant-in-aid request to fund LED lighting, low-flow toilets and hands-free faucets upstairs in the hall.
“The Arts Council has saved this wonderful hall,” he told directors. “It is a wonderful community building project.”
Brown says having the visual arts, dance, music and theatre programming all under one roof, with a high level of teaching, is very unique to the Interior and, due to its non-profit structure, pricing for the programming is highly affordable.
“The Arts Council for the South Shuswap is an important and unique cultural asset that benefits everyone who lives in the Shuswap,” adds Demenok. “It provides children and youth with developmental programming. It provides recreational options for adults and will attract new families to move into our area. I would encourage everyone in the Shuswap to get behind this organization and to support it in every way possible.”
Like any other non-profit organization, the Arts Council is supported and in need of sponsorships and grants-in-aid to keep its doors open and its programming offerings vibrant.
“As you can see from the many initiatives we’ve undertaken, there is ample opportunity to volunteer your time, sponsor a program or take out a yearly membership to the Arts Council,” says council president Lona Heinzig. “If you’re interested, we’d certainly love to hear from you.”
Through the addition of the programs offered under the Arts Council, the number of hours for the use of the hall will grow from 200 in a year to almost 2,000.
The mutual support between the Arts Council and the Carlin and District Recreation Association, which operates upstairs, will raise exposure and build an audience to take in the programming and presentations offered on both floors of the hall.
For more information on the Arts Council and all of its programming, festivals, presentations, sponsorship and more, visit www.shuswaparts.com