Sustaining cultural engagement across communities: Event organizers reflect on the benefits of ongoing participation

Since 2010, Culture Days has helped highlight the powerful role that arts, culture, and heritage play in bringing Saskatchewan communities together. The national celebration has become a key part of community life in the province, helping to build a shared understanding of how Culture Builds Community. In 2024, Culture Days marked its 15th year, celebrating continued growth, engagement, and lasting community impact.

Each year, more events are held, participation grows, and the range of cultures represented continues to increase. Behind that growth are dedicated organizers who return year after year, motivated by the positive change they see in their communities. Since 2015, the City of Prince Albert has participated in Culture Days Saskatchewan, consistently accessing SaskCulture’s support to bring cultural programming to life each fall.

Tia Furstenberg, arts and culture coordinator, City of Prince Albert, says they continue to organize Culture Days Hubs because their community members and partners are both enthusiastic and dedicated to the yearly celebration.

“They return every year with fresh ideas and a commitment to building on the past year’s successes. We want to continue because community connections and shared experiences matter,” she says. “Culture Days strengthens our relationship with local artists, organizations and our residents, as well as fosters a great sense of belonging and civic pride.”

Furstenberg says Culture Days continues to provide opportunities to make the public aware of the incredible arts and cultural programs that are already free and accessible throughout the year.

“Key comments that come up from participants include how Culture Days helped our residents discover new cultural experiences that they wouldn’t have sought out on their own. They also say it helped them feel more connected to the community.”

The Art Gallery of Regina also began organizing Culture Days events in 2015 and has seen firsthand how it continues to grow each year. Sandee Moore, director and curator, Art Gallery of Regina, says the Gallery’s participation in Culture Days has allowed for strong partnerships and inspired more people to become year-round participants.

“What is important about becoming a part of Culture Days is that it really allows us to create active ways for people to engage with artwork. It supports the work that artists do that is interactive, participatory and community-based. We can be a part of something greater than we could achieve on our own as a small gallery with two staff.”

For Moore, participation in Culture Days helps increase the visibility and accessibility of the Gallery’s events, while also offering other benefits. “The Hub Sponsorship from SaskCulture, for instance, allows us to enrich programming that we don’t always have the funds to support,” she explains. “For example, it helps us hire someone to provide American Sign Language interpretation during artists’ talks, or bring in people from specific knowledge areas such as Elders or Knowledge Keepers.”

Furstenberg adds that Culture Days really does help build community. “The 2024 Prince Albert National Attendee survey results say it all,” she says. “74 per cent of participants said they were more likely to seek out cultural events after attending, and 90 per cent of participants expressed a deeper appreciation for local arts history and cultural diversity.”

That growing impact was reflected nationally, with the cities of Prince Albert, Regina and Yorkton recognized among the top participating communities in Canada in 2024.