Arts, Culture & Heritage
Golden & Area A residents take pride in their strong sense of self-reliance. Over the years, from the days of aboriginal trading routes, to early railway men, Swiss Guides, Sikhs and even today with lifestyle migrants, the community has a rich and colourful history - a history that is reflected in the rich mosaic of local cultural organizations.
From visual arts and performing arts to cultural and historical organizations, there is no shortage of organizations focused on a particular area of 'arts, culture & heritage.' From the Kicking Horse Fall Faire, to the Snow King MasqueParade, there are some significant events and festivals that include multiple organizations.
However, some of the community's 'arts, culture & heritage' organizations are more challenged to fulfill their mandate than others. Some of them are supported by local and provincial government through service agreements, others are self-funded. Almost all will agree that is is very challenging to know what the other groups are doing.
Are Golden & Area A's 'arts, culture & heritage' organizations performing optimally? Are they set on a path of success in the future? If not, what can be done collectively in order to improve decision-making, resource allocation and serve the needs of the community?
From visual arts and performing arts to cultural and historical organizations, there is no shortage of organizations focused on a particular area of 'arts, culture & heritage.' From the Kicking Horse Fall Faire, to the Snow King MasqueParade, there are some significant events and festivals that include multiple organizations.
However, some of the community's 'arts, culture & heritage' organizations are more challenged to fulfill their mandate than others. Some of them are supported by local and provincial government through service agreements, others are self-funded. Almost all will agree that is is very challenging to know what the other groups are doing.
Are Golden & Area A's 'arts, culture & heritage' organizations performing optimally? Are they set on a path of success in the future? If not, what can be done collectively in order to improve decision-making, resource allocation and serve the needs of the community?
Issues & Opportunities
Secure and sustainable space, funding, volunteers and visitors/audiences are some of the common challenges with arts, culture & heritage organizations. And these challenges are not unique to Golden & Area A. Many communities are struggling to find their niche. Larger cities are discovering that events are becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to manage for the municipality, promoter and attendees. While smaller communities often lack the necessary infrastructure (parking, accommodation, services, restaurants), human resources (professional and volunteer), and contingency (plan, reserve funds, and alternate locations/dates) to weather macro economic challenges, a large influx of visitors or unseasonable weather.
Which events can the community sustainably support? (For a list of current and past community events, please see RiverfrontGolden.ca.) And what is the criteria for events get taxpayer support?
There is arguably no shortage of cultural space in Golden. But are those spaces sustainable? And do the groups involved in managing these events and spaces have an eye on their internal succession planning?
If not, what type of support should be coming from local government? And if that is not sufficient, how can these groups be supported and allowed to flourish?
How do we develop our community's history, its current strengths and resources into a long term vision and plan that supports Kicking Horse Country's 'arts, culture & heritage' as well as economic, social and environmental pillars, too?
Which events can the community sustainably support? (For a list of current and past community events, please see RiverfrontGolden.ca.) And what is the criteria for events get taxpayer support?
There is arguably no shortage of cultural space in Golden. But are those spaces sustainable? And do the groups involved in managing these events and spaces have an eye on their internal succession planning?
If not, what type of support should be coming from local government? And if that is not sufficient, how can these groups be supported and allowed to flourish?
How do we develop our community's history, its current strengths and resources into a long term vision and plan that supports Kicking Horse Country's 'arts, culture & heritage' as well as economic, social and environmental pillars, too?
Event: Columbia Cultural Tourism Association and Pat Bavin
In an effort to bring together Golden's great event ideas and planners, Pat Bavin, a leader in the Columbia Cultural Tourism Association (CCTA) based out of Invermere, will be providing an update to their progress, challenges and future plans on December 4th, 2013 from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Island Restaurant.
While Mr. Bavin is the key note speaker, the public is invited to hear from Golden's event planners about their successes, challenges and opportunities for collaboration and toward sustainable event management.
Here's an excerpt from the CCTA's recent report:
"Canada’s leading advocate for place-based cultural tourism, Steven Thorne, was in the Valley for a very intensive 12 day tour at the end of August. His interviews and site visits gave him a thorough overview of what the Columbia Valley has and what it still needs, and a cautious respect for Pat Bavin’s backroad driving skills. In the coming months Steven will be completing interviews and compiling his insights; he will return to the Valley in January, 2014, to present his final report and strategy to the CCTA Board.
Some of Steven’s initial impressions which he shared with the Board:
We are all climbing a learning curve as we seek to understand the needs and desires of this large and diverse group known as the Cultural Traveller. With the help of you, our stakeholders, we will be adding the ‘lure of the local’ into our blueprint as we build a solid foundation for the CCTA’s product development. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Columbia Cultural Tourism Association as we continue to evolve a collaborative vision for Valley tourism." - The CCTA Board of Directors, 2013.
When: 11:30am - 1:30pm, Wednesday December 4th, 2013
Where: TBC, Golden, BC.
Who: Everyone who is interested and involved in culture, events and tourism.
RSVP: Send your RSVP to Ryan at [email protected] by November 29th.
The Community Coordination project team appreciates your interest and needs your participation.
While Mr. Bavin is the key note speaker, the public is invited to hear from Golden's event planners about their successes, challenges and opportunities for collaboration and toward sustainable event management.
Here's an excerpt from the CCTA's recent report:
"Canada’s leading advocate for place-based cultural tourism, Steven Thorne, was in the Valley for a very intensive 12 day tour at the end of August. His interviews and site visits gave him a thorough overview of what the Columbia Valley has and what it still needs, and a cautious respect for Pat Bavin’s backroad driving skills. In the coming months Steven will be completing interviews and compiling his insights; he will return to the Valley in January, 2014, to present his final report and strategy to the CCTA Board.
Some of Steven’s initial impressions which he shared with the Board:
- We are starting fresh with cultural tourism, without the entrenched cultural ‘turf wars’ he sees in other parts of Canada. This is a great plus.
- Our farmer’s markets and visual arts heritage assets are far advanced for an area of our size and population.
- The mixed-itinerary travelers who already visit the Valley but don’t know all we have to offer are our near-term target, with improved, coordinated communication and a comprehensive Web information hub a priority task.
- There is work to be done in the coming years to foster underdeveloped venues and attractions in the Valley in order to have a cultural tourism package we can take to the broader market.
We are all climbing a learning curve as we seek to understand the needs and desires of this large and diverse group known as the Cultural Traveller. With the help of you, our stakeholders, we will be adding the ‘lure of the local’ into our blueprint as we build a solid foundation for the CCTA’s product development. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Columbia Cultural Tourism Association as we continue to evolve a collaborative vision for Valley tourism." - The CCTA Board of Directors, 2013.
When: 11:30am - 1:30pm, Wednesday December 4th, 2013
Where: TBC, Golden, BC.
Who: Everyone who is interested and involved in culture, events and tourism.
RSVP: Send your RSVP to Ryan at [email protected] by November 29th.
The Community Coordination project team appreciates your interest and needs your participation.
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The Columbia Cultural Tourism Association (front to back) Tony Berryman, Pat Bavin, Jessica Fairhart, Julie Brown, John Rouse, Alec Fleming, Jami Scheffer, and Chris Evans. Missing are Andi Dzilums and Al Miller. Photo by Ryan Bavin; from The Columbia Valley Pioneer, May 31st, 2013.
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Events
The Community Coordination project is intended to convene conversations among individuals and groups. Do you know someone, anywhere, who you would like the entire 'arts, culture & heritage' community to hear from? If so, we'd like to help bring them to Golden.
Please contact Ryan Watmough at 250-344-8610 or [email protected] to provide your suggestions and collaborate on this project.
Please contact Ryan Watmough at 250-344-8610 or [email protected] to provide your suggestions and collaborate on this project.
Possible Stakeholder Organizations
A-Muse Troop
Golden Community Choir
Golden District Historical Society
Golden Festival Society
Golden Players Drama Club
Golden Sikh Cultural Society
Kicking Horse Culture (Golden District Arts Council)
Kicking Horse Movies Performing Arts Society
Kinbasket Nation
Ktunaxa Nation
Metis Nation Columbia River Society
Music Illuminata
Purcell Mountain Orchestra
Royal Canadian Legion
Shuswap Nation
The Canadian Society for the Recording Arts
Golden Community Choir
Golden District Historical Society
Golden Festival Society
Golden Players Drama Club
Golden Sikh Cultural Society
Kicking Horse Culture (Golden District Arts Council)
Kicking Horse Movies Performing Arts Society
Kinbasket Nation
Ktunaxa Nation
Metis Nation Columbia River Society
Music Illuminata
Purcell Mountain Orchestra
Royal Canadian Legion
Shuswap Nation
The Canadian Society for the Recording Arts
