Adapting Programming

Adapt your Programming for Culture Days!

This is for all the organizers who want to participate in Culture Days but are currently facing roadblocks in figuring out how to go about it! We know it can be challenging to plan new activities and to present free or by donation programming,  for a variety of different reasons.

While capacity might still be a sticky point for your organization, there are various ways to adapt existing activities or ticketed/cost-associated programming that you already have planned for the year, so you can participate in Culture Days! Keep reading below for various ideas.

For those looking to adapt ticketed events with admission fees:

• Offer free to access programs in the lobby or in a common area before a ticketed event.

• Designate a small selection of tickets as free or by donation for Culture Days attendees.

• Consider offering free admission to your gallery or museum during specified low traffic times.

• Register the free or by donation activities that are part of bigger festivals or events (past event examples: Ryga Arts Festival and LUNA Arts).

For those looking to participate in simple, low-barrier ways:

• Offer open houses or behind-the-scenes tours of your theatres, studios, and other creative spaces (past event example: Happy Art Open Studio Tour).

• Plan an open rehearsal or a sneak peek preview before a big performance or event (past event example: Ballet BC Open Rehearsal).

• Host an art walk or artist talk about murals or public artworks in your local area (past event examples: Nelson International Mural Festival Mural Tour, Public Art and Murals Walking Tour in Sechelt, and Vancouver Art Walk).

• Organize an industry/community event, where local artists and more come together to chat, draw, create, and so on (past event example: Draw by Night in Kelowna).

For those with key organizational events happening before or after Culture Days:

• Host a volunteer recruitment event or an open public discussion about your festival or organization to garner interest for an upcoming event or initiative.

• Upload pre-recorded digital programming (art tutorials, artist talks, video documentaries, and so on) that can be easily shared with Culture Days audiences (past example: Are We Listening? by Zaynab Mohammed).

• Host an appreciation day or night to spread the word about your organization’s incredible staff, initiatives, and volunteers.

Planning ahead for next year?

Organizations are welcome to register their own annual free programming as part of Culture Days. By scheduling your events during the Culture Days dates, you can take advantage of additional publicity/marketing opportunities and take part in Canada’s largest public participation campaign for the arts.

For more planning inspiration, visit our Culture Days Resources here. Email [email protected] if you’d like to chat about how to participate.