DEVELOPING A FUTURE DIRECTION FOR ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Saskatchewan is taking the next step toward developing a new strategy for arts, culture and heritage by today releasing the results from an online survey.

The survey was launched in August 2008 along with Reflections: A 30-Year Summary of Cultural Policy Discussions in Saskatchewan. A total of 646 people took part in the survey. The results are found in Reflections on Cultural Policy: A Summary of Survey Results.

The survey results show that: creating a provincial cultural policy is a key first step; to value culture people must be aware of it, have access to it and appreciate it; government ought to promote culture; stewardship and engaging our youth and Aboriginal people is important; culture is an essential tool for communities; there is a need for greater market access and support for creators; and organizations face capacity issues.

"We heard loud and clear from the arts, culture and heritage sector and we are using that information to develop a plan for a sustainable future," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell said. "One of our next steps will be to use the information in the Reflections document and the survey to spark a second round of dialogue focusing on how to further strengthen Saskatchewan's already vibrant arts, culture and heritage community."

This will be accomplished through a series of meetings around the province this February. They will be organized and hosted by the Sport, Culture and Recreation Districts and facilitated by a team of consultants and Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport staff. To ensure the process is open to everyone, an online questionnaire will be available on the ministry's website.

"This is an exciting time," Tell said. "This process will help us understand where we are today and what we need to do into the future. It is also a demonstration of government's commitment to ensuring that Saskatchewan remains one of the best places in the country to live, work and play."

Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport continues to develop a research and development strategy that will focus on testing new ideas for cultural programs based on the five strategic themes in the draft policy framework announced in October 2008. Details of the programs will be released as they are finalized.

The Reflections: A 30-Year Summary of Cultural Policy Discussions and Reflections on Cultural Policy: A Summary of Survey Results are available at www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Art Jones
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3506
Email: art.jones@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-550-5927