Monthly Message from the Chair
Joan Richoz, Chair, Whistler Arts Council
On April 17th I presented a request to Mayor and Council to engage the Whistler Arts Council to develop a cultural plan and to endorse the process and timelines. I am pleased to report that our request for up to $75,000 (in Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funds) was approved. The development of a cultural plan is one of the deliverables in Council’s 2012-2014 Action Plan.
The cultural plan will address a variety of issues including the infrastructure needs of the arts, culture and heritage (ACH) sector and its local audiences. Place-based cultural tourism is reliant on local artists, artisans, performers and other cultural producers, and the cultural plan will identify ways to ensure the development and nurturing of those individuals as well as providing a platform for visiting artists to perform, exhibit, work and teach.
A 10-member steering committee will include key stakeholders and representatives from the ACH sector and extensive community consultation will take place. WAC will be seeking two artists to sit on the committee to bring their unique perspective. Look for a call for entry in the near future.
Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday May 30 from 5-7 pm at Millennium Place. This is a great opportunity for members and non-members to learn what WAC has done over the past year, to elect new directors to the board, to enjoy some refreshments and hear from some special guests. Since we are celebrating our 30th birthday this year, we will also have cake so please come and join us!
From April 20-21 I attended the ArtsBC annual conference in New Westminster. I am President of ArtsBC, a provincial arts service organization dedicated to advancing arts and cultural development in the province. It was an energizing, stimulating and educational two days – with practical workshops, networking opportunities and social events. WAC’s Executive Director Doti Niedermayer participated in a panel presentation and discussion whose goal was to showcase the best practices and programs of BC’s arts organizations. Doti spoke specifically about WAC’s success in building and maintaining effective partnerships.
The summer is shaping up to be full of arts events so please check out our website - www.artswhistler.com - for the calendar which is updated regularly.