The Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC), along with its member arts councils, announced on July 9 their decision to postpone all tour dates in the 2020/2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
OSAC will work with its artist and agent partners to reschedule the dates whenever presenting is feasible once again for their (mostly) volunteer presenters.
OSAC will continue to monitor new information and guidelines from SHA and the Government of Saskatchewan, to see if OSAC members are able to book and present performances during the 2020/2021 timeframe.
Treena Redman 鈥� OSAC Board Chair
鈥淭he OSAC Staff did not take lightly the decision to cancel the 2020/2021 Performing Arts Season and it is a decision made with the full support of the OSAC Board of Directors. The health and safety concerns of each member Arts Council鈥檚 volunteers and employees, as well as their patrons and performers, must be made a priority. This decision also considered the provincial government鈥檚 current restrictions on large gatherings, which does not have a set end-date at this time. The OSAC Staff has done an excellent job of navigating their way through these unprecedented times and will continue to have the full support of the OSAC Board, as they move forward through this global pandemic.鈥�
Kevin Korchinski 鈥� Executive Director
鈥淎s we all face this pandemic together, the OSAC Board and Staff felt that the responsible action at this time was to postpone the 2020/2021 season to ensure the safety off all who are involved at presenting a performance in nearly forty communities as well as audience members. In over 50 years of touring Performing Arts in Saskatchewan, OSAC has never been forced to cancel an entire season, but these are truly extraordinary times. We hope to be able to continue 鈥淏ringing The Arts To You鈥� in the Fall of 2021.鈥�
Skip Taylor- Performing Arts Coordinator聽
鈥淚t is disappointing to have to cancel a season that had a record 179 performances booked throughout the province, but at the same time, it is the safe and reasonable thing to do. In many cases the performances our presenters鈥� book are the only performing arts presentations that occur in their communities. It is sad to think those communities will miss out on that cultural and artistic impact. We are very hopeful we can get back to supporting our members and seeing these inspiring performances return to Saskatchewan communities in 2021.鈥�
OSAC presents over 300 live community and school performances annually, attended by a total audience of approximately 75,000.
These performances are possible thanks to a dedicated network of volunteers committed to making culture an integral part of Saskatchewan community life. Vital funding comes in part from Saskatchewan Lotteries, which is administered by SaskCulture and Canadian Heritage.
Proceeds from Saskatchewan Lotteries benefit more than 12,000 non-profit sport, culture and recreation groups around the province.
