Volume 4 - Issue 4

Thursday September 3, 2015
Hello
The summer is winding down and everyone is heading back to work or school after their vacations - but getting back to a fall routine doesn't have to be dull! September is packed full of exciting cultural news and events in St. Catharines.

New Face in Cultural Services Office
We are delighted to welcome Ashley Judd-Rifkin as our latest addition to the cultural services team. Ashley has taken the position of Culture Coordinator and her portfolio will include the Arts Awards, the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP), Culture Days and other community development initiatives, including support for Culture Plan 2020 implementation and the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee.
 
Ashley can be reached at [email protected] or 905-688-5601 ext 5229.
In the Spotlight
Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial
A campaign to honour 137 workers who lost their lives during construction of the Welland Canal has confirmed funding from the federal government and a memorial design by artist Dereck Revington.
 
At a special announcement on August 6, Rick Dykstra and Mayor Walter Sendzik, co-chairs of the Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial Task Force, announced a $150,000 grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage to support the project and reveal the memorial design to the community. The grant will help the Task Force achieve its fundraising goal of $450,000 to build the memorial alongside the Welland Canal at Lock 3.
 
The Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial Task Force is a volunteer group established to finance, design, build and install a memorial to recognize workers who were killed while building the Welland Ship Canal between 1914 and 1932. The Task Force is now fundraising for the project and seeking support from the marine and business community, Niagara community partners and the public. All donations are welcome. Once fundraising is complete, construction of the memorial is scheduled for 2017.
 
For more information about the Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial or to contribute to the project visit www.stcatharines.ca/FallenWorkersMemorial

City News
St. Catharines LOVES Culture!!

The City of St. Catharines is excited to officially participate in Culture Days for the first time! Culture Days celebrations will take place nation-wide on September 25, 26 & 27, 2015.
 
St. Catharines activities will include mural painting, play creation, slam poetry, an exploration of opera and more!
 
Culture Days is a national movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. Culture Days will feature FREE hands-on activities that invite the public to participate in the "behind-the-scenes" world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work.

For Culture Days updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
For more on Culture Days in St. Catharines visit: www.stcatharines.ca/CultureDays

Volunteers Wanted for Culture Days!
If you're interested in contributing directly to community development, be a part of the Culture Days volunteer team! Participate by greeting attendees, engaging with the public, or providing onsite assistance to artists, creators, artisans and cultural ambassadors with their events/activities/projects.  

To volunteer contact Ashley at [email protected] or 905-688-5601 ext 5229.
 
Upcoming Museum Events
The St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre is gearing up for a number of different events in the fall. From a family game night to guided spirit walks at Victoria Lawn Cemetery, the museum has something for everyone! 

For a list of upcoming events visit: www.stcatharines.ca/museum

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre HOT TICKET Inaugural Season Announced!
The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre's inaugural season tickets are now on sale to HOT TICKET members for a variety of performances including music, theatre, dance, comedy and more! 

For information about the season or how to become a HOT TICKET member visit: www.firstontariopac.ca

Queen Elizabeth II Commemoration Ceremony
Mayor Walter Sendzik invites members of the community to attend a Ceremony to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II as the Commonwealth's longest reigning Monarch. The Ceremony will take place next Wednesday, September 9, 2015 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at The Pavilion in Montebello Park. A tree will be planted in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.
Calls and Opportunities
Free Arts Presenting Webinar
Join Tim Yerxa, Executive Director of the Fredericton Playhouse, in this webinar which explores the basics of selecting artists for your community. For details or to register, click here .
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2015, 1 pm EST
 
Community Projects
Leadership Niagara is now accepting project applications from not-for-profit organizations. Each year their leaders work in teams to help a local non-for-profit with a project of their choice. Click here for more on the application process.
Submission Deadline: Friday, September 11, 2015
 
Niagara Investment in Culture
Niagara Region is now accepting applications for the 2016 Niagara Investment in Culture (NIC) program. The aim of the program is to support interesting, innovative, and high quality cultural programming that is: Niagara-based, inclusive, collaborative and accountable. Public information sessions will be held in Council Chambers at Niagara Region Headquarters :
  • Wednesday, September 9, 6 - 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, September 10, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
For more information, or to download an application form, click here.
Submission Deadline: Thursday October 15, 2015 at 4 p.m.
 
Free Artscape Webinar
Partnership and Collaboration: Artscape's approach to building community through the arts. Gain insight and learnings from Artscape's unique approach in cultural space development as a not-for-profit urban development organization, affordable housing provider, and thought leader in Creative Placemaking practice. Featuring: Pru Robey, Vice President and Director, Creative Placemaking Lab at Artscape, Toronto. For details or to register, click here .
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 1 p.m. EST
 
Board of Directors Training Series
The Early Childhood Community Development Centre is hosting a four part workshop series that focuses on developing a high-performing board of directors. For more details or to register, click here .
Dates: October 28, 2015 to March 31, 2016
 
Ontario Arts Council Resource Video
The OAC has released "Preparing Effective Support Material for Theatre, Dance and Performance-Based Multi and Inter Arts Grant Applications", a video featuring tips and advice for the best possible grant application. To view this video, or other informative videos, visit the OAC's web video resource page here.

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.