Volume 4 - Issue 2

Tuesday April 7, 2015
Hello

Spring has sprung! We're ready to bid farewell to Old Man Winter, and with the sun comes lots of exciting cultural news and events in the Garden City!
Kudos
From Brock University      
From Niagara this Week     
Big Congrats to Brock University and their successful journey and installation of the bronze sculpture of Sir Isaac Brock, created by Canadian artist Danek Mozdzenski (pictured). A huge community welcome to Jessica Carmichael, new Artistic Director of Carousel Players. Jessica arrives from Toronto where she was Associate Director of Native Earth Performing Arts.
In the Spotlight

... and the nominees are!

 

  

Let the celebrations begin! The 2015 St. Catharines Arts Awards nominees 

are announced and all will be celebrated in one BIG Arts Community Party at the Sean O'Sullivan Theatre, Brock University - the last one of its kind at a venue that's been serving Niagara for nearly 50 years!!

 

This year a record 36 nominations were submitted across six categories. The Arts Awards will be handed out on Saturday, May 30, 2015. Reception at 7:00 p.m., Showtime is 8:00 p.m.

 

Don't miss out on this event: tickets are available by donation and should be reserved in advance as seating is assigned.  Call the Centre for the Arts Box Office: 905-688-5550 x 3257 or toll free 1-866-617-3257.
 

To view the list of nominees visit: www.stcatharines.ca/ArtsAwards
City News
Inspire St. Catharines: Culture Plan 2020 Approved!

"There is nothing like a dream to create the future." - Victor Hugo

 

St. Catharines has a new direction for culture. The Inspire St. Catharines: Culture Plan 2020 was approved by City Council on March 23, 2015. The gallery was filled with supportive faces from the arts community to cheer on Rebecca Cann and Kathleen Powell as they presented the plan. The Culture Plan Cross-Sectoral Committee and the Culture Committee worked with staff and consultants on the plan's development. Hundreds of residents contributed through town halls, focus groups, surveys, social media, on-the-street interviews and more.

  

To view the Culture Plan as approved by Council visit: www.stcatharines.ca/CulturePlan

 

Join a Cultural Advisory Committee 

Interested in joining the Arts and Culture Committee? Or the Public Art Advisory Committee? Or how about the St. Catharines Museum Advisory or one of our Heritage Committees? Residents looking to volunteer for any City advisory committee are invited to an open house Tuesday, April 7 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. (TODAY) at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre.

 

Staff representatives from all City advisory committees will be on-hand to meet with residents. Be sure to take a peek at the new committee structure, too! Applications and information are available online. Deadline for application is Friday, April 24.

 

For more on Cultural Advisory Committees visit: http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/governin/Cultural-Advisory-Committees.asp

 

SCCIP Applications Available 

2015 St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP) applications are now available. City Council has approved $150,000 for the 2015 program. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 29 at 4:30 p.m.

 

First time applicants are encouraged to attend an information session on Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in the Burgoyne Woods Room (formerly Committee Room 1), 3rd Floor, City Hall. All applicants are encouraged to contact cultural services staff to discuss your application.

 

For more on SCCIP and to download applications visit: www.stcatharines.ca/sccip 

 

Culture Days Information Session

If you want to promote arts and heritage participation, please join us!! A public information session for Culture Days 2015 will be held at St. Catharines Public Library on Wednesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in the Mills Room.

 

Culture Days is a national collaborative movement to encourage awareness, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. By participating in Culture Days, you can help your fellow citizens become aware of the many unique opportunities available to them and encourage participation in arts and cultural activities in our own backyard.

 

For more on Culture Days visit: www.culturedays.ca

 

Unity Award Nomination

The City of St. Catharines is nominated for the 2nd Annual Niagara Unity Awards.  These awards showcase the important successes of individuals and groups that have made an impact for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community here in the Niagara Region. Thank you for the nomination!

 

For more on the nominees and to vote visit:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZR626BY
  

City Exhibits

Old Niagara / Young Lenses: Architectural Photography
 

Old Niagara / Young Lenses: Architectural Photography

On display March 12 to April 12 in the Burgoyne Room at the St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre. An exhibition of original photographs revealing Niagara's historic architecture from Mrs. Gandola's Grade 12 photography students at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School.

 

Merritton: Unearthing a Community's Roots

On display now in Centennial Gardens, this exhibit of historic photos celebrates the vibrant history of the former Town of Merritton, now a neighbourhood in St. Catharines. 

 

For more on City Exhibits visit www.stcatharines.ca/exhibits

 

Doing Our Bit: WWI from St. Catharines to the Western Front

This exhibit at the St. Catharines Museum honours the 100th Anniversary of the First World War by examining the experiences of war, at home and at the front. The exhibit depicts the perspective of St. Catharines residents using a variety of journals, diaries, letters, photographs and personal artifacts to relay these touching, fascinating and important stories. The exhibit runs through to 2018.  
  
For more on Museum Exhibits visit www.stcatharines.ca/MuseumExhibits
Calls and Opportunities

In the Soil Festival Call for Volunteers! 

In the Soil Festival, April 24-26 is an explosion of creativity in Downtown St. Catharines. Volunteers receive fantastic perks including ITS t-shirts and festival passes. Click here for more details.

Deadline: NOW

 

ECT Call for Submissions

Essential Collective Theatre is accepting script submissions from Niagara & Hamilton-based playwrights for their annual New Play Development program and Wine & Reading event. Click here to learn more.

Deadline: April 13, 2015

 

Grant Writing Webinar 

Theatre Ontario is offering a free Grant Writing Info webinar. This session is intended for those who are new to grant writing or have limited experience. Registration is required. Click here to learn more.
Session Date: Monday, May 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Arts, Culture and Heritage Funders Roundtable 

Niagara Funders Alliance is hosting an Arts, Culture and Heritage Funders Roundtable at the MacBain Centre in Niagara Falls. This is an opportunity to hear presentations from various funders, including: The City of St. Catharines, The Department of Canadian Heritage, The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and many others. Click here to learn more on registration.

Date: Tuesday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

 

Education Opportunities

 

Carousel Players 2015 Summer Theatre School 6 different summer camps for ages 5 to 13. Visit www.carouselplayers.com or call 905-682-8326 for details.

 

Niagara Symphony Orchestra 2015 Summer Music Camp Registration is now open for NSO's summer camps. Visit thenso.ca or call 905-687-4993 ext. 223 for details.

The Cultural Services office is a division of the City of St. Catharines' Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. Cultural Services focuses on public art, community development, planning and policy related to arts and culture in the City of St. Catharines.