Six Culture Days Tips For Rural Communities

Even though Culture Days is a pan-Canadian event, rural communities face a unique set of challenges. Size, isolation and perceived lack of access to greater resources have reportedly discouraged some organizations and individuals from organizing or collaborating on Culture Days activities.

Do not be discouraged! Culture Days is for everyone, whether you live in a major city or a small town. Here are some tips to get you on your way.

Registration, registration, registration. Registering your activities with Culture Days puts you in touch with a network of other communities and organizations. If you’re engaging in cultural activity during the dates of Culture Days (September 30, October 1 & 2, 2011), registering your activity is a great way to get involved. Click here to register your activity with Culture Days.

Take stock. Your community probably has a number of organizations and institutions that can participate in Culture Days. Schools, libraries, museums, parks and places of worship can serve as venues and offer additional ideas for activities. For a helpful guide to discovering and thinking about your cultural resources, check out the Cultural Mapping Toolkit from Creative City Networks of Canada.

Talk To Your Municipality. Many municipalities are increasingly coming to understand the value of a vibrant cultural sector. Your town council can be a valuable resource in organizing Culture Days activities. For more information on how to involve your municipality, check out this blog post on the topic.

Studio Trails and Other Creatures. A well-developed studio trail is a great way to overcome the challenge of large geographical stretches between cultural locations while taking advantage of the wealth of creative talent in Canada’s rural areas. In my home province of Saskatchewan, studio trails such as the Tugaske Trail and the Highway 1 Studio Tour support artists and function as a great tourist attraction.

Partnerships. Too often individuals and organizations pursue their own goals. Partnerships between, say, a school, a museum and an immigrant service centre can result in an educational multicultural festival.

Build a legacy. Remember, Culture Days is only a starting point for bringing culture to the forefront of your community. Take the experience of Culture Days and build on it to create something enduring. It could be a piece of public art or an increased cultural volunteer base. Plan ahead for Culture Days 2011.

Aidan Morgan is a participating blogger from SaskCulture.