A NEW STRATEGY FOR ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE IN SASKATCHEWAN

The arts, culture and heritage sector received good news today as the Government of Saskatchewan announced the launch of a consultation process.

Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell made the announcement at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina.

"Arts, culture and heritage play a vital role in making Saskatchewan a vibrant and attractive place to live, work and play," Tell said. "For many years, the arts, culture and heritage sector has lacked a long-term plan for growth and sustainability. A meaningful and transparent policy framework will help ensure that the sector's needs are met while maximizing its contribution to our economy and our enviable quality of life."

As part of the initial consultation stage, Minister Tell announced the public release of Reflections: A 30 Year Summary of Cultural Policy Discussions in Saskatchewan. This document brings together the past three decades of reviews, surveys, needs assessments and advice provided to government, both from within government and from the cultural community. An accompanying survey will solicit input from the sector.

Reflections and the survey will form the foundation for a cultural policy framework and action plan development. The cultural policy framework will be developed by late 2008, followed by an action plan in early 2009.

"We are encouraged by the government's efforts to consult with the arts, culture and heritage sector about issues and policies that affect us," Saskatchewan Arts Board Executive Director Jeremy Morgan said. "Public consultation is important to ensure we continue to meet the changing needs of a sector that plays an essential role in our standard of living, both socially and economically."

The document and the survey are available on the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport at http://www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/Reflections-Cultural-Policy. The survey will be open for input from the public until August 22, 2008.

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For more information, contact:
Aidan Morgan
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9087