"There's a lot to be proud of," said a Saskatchewan Arts Alliance representative about a list of arts and cultural activities, groups and venues listed by participants in a recent community forum.
Jessica Riess, communications and outreach officer, and research officer Dr. Ian McWilliams hosted a forum at the Chapel Gallery April 28, saying there is more going on in the Battlefords than many other communities.
However, it was made clear by the group attending that the community needs more communication between its various groups, not just in the arts but amongst charitable groups as well, to avoid competing with one another for funds and audiences. They would like to see more cross promotion and collaboration.
Along with artists and arts advocates, the City of North Battleford's leisure services manager, Bill Samborski, attended the forum. He said he doesn't see a central sharing of information happening until the community starts pulling together for the common good of the arts.
"Until everyone pulls together, it is always going to be disjointed," he said.
With so much going on, if there was a community guild or central event-staging, event-planning, strategizing body, this community would be so much father ahead than others, said Samborski.
Arts educator Sherron Burns, one of the participants, said she has sat at many tables where the idea has been discussed.
"But it just hasn't happened," she said. "That doesn't mean it can't happen."
Participants suggested it may be time for the local arts council to take on a different role.
Burns also said it may be time to revisit the idea of the City of North Battleford having a cultural policy to deal with how the City interacts and creates financial partnerships with artists in the city.
Despite concerns about communication, McWilliams was upbeat.
"To have so many events going on in a community that it's tough to schedule around is not a terrible problem to have," McWilliams. "There are some communities that have nothing going on. So this is great!"
