Outreach Programs
Stories of Resilience: 2020–2021
artsPlace, in partnership with the Canmore Museum, Bow Valley Immigration Partnership, and Kristy Wolfe Photography, has collected submissions of art, photographs and stories created during the pandemic to showcase the many ways that this Bow Valley community has shown resilience through creativity. Seven months in the making, the purpose of this multimedia exhibition was to capture the voices of our community in a difficult year. More than 50 locals submitted around 100 pieces of artwork, photographs, poetry, and captivating stories.
Indigenous Connections: 2017–Present
Since the program launched in 2017, Indigenous Connections has led to a surge of First Nations programming at artsPlace – from captivating Indigenous works in film, theatre, visual arts, dancing and drumming, to cross-cultural learning programs in Stoney culture and Cultural Learning Circles, to youth outreach in Morley through the Youth Arts Collective, to artist mentorship through the RISE Emerging Artist Program, and more.
Mental Wellness Through the Arts: 2020–Present
We are thrilled to collaborate with Right from the Start to offer art-based mental health activities to school students. Our artist educators visit the classrooms to bring creativity and mental wellness through the arts. Each activity encourages creative thinking, artistic use of basic art supplies, and a deeper connection to self and feelings. The kids thrive with a way to engage, create, and connect.
"Okay" Community Sing-Along: 2020–2021
Bow Valley musician Ellen Braun created the ballad "You're Gonna Be Okay" to help herself through a hard time. When the pandemic started, it seemed like the perfect song to share with her community. On April 1, 2020, in partnership with artsPlace and 106.5 Mountain FM, Ellen invited the community to sing the song as she played it live on the radio. Over 7,100 people participated. One year later, on April 1, 2021, we all needed to be reminded that "we're gonna be okay," and once again, our community found a way to be together through Ellen's song.
Free Creative Kits for Children: 2021–Present
In celebration of the World Creativity and Innovation Day, artsPlace gave away 200 free Creative Kits for Bow Valley children in the spring of 2021. These kits included art supplies such as watercolour pencils, watercolour paper, stickers, a pencil case, coloured paper, origami, scissors and more. There was also an activity booklet which contained four fun activities prepared by local artists, and was accompanied by creative videos to help young learners and families maximize their Creative Kit fun. With these kits, you made so many amazing creations!
Bringing Joy to Seniors: 2020
When COVID-19 began to drastically change our lives, artsPlace partnered with local organizations to support the most isolated members of our community. Together we brought arts, music, and joy to 175 seniors. We also hosted two live concerts by local artists outside the Bow River Senior Citizens Lodge; launched the Keep One, Gift One initiative, through which participants in artsPlace workshops hand-made beautiful creations and personal notes for local seniors; and delivered thoughtfully curated Creative Kits to seniors across the Bow Valley, which included art supplies, reading material, and handmade cards from local youth.
Banff Community Art Projects: 2022
artsPlace partnered with the Town of Banff and invited local artists to work on public art projects with the community in three locations within Banff. The goal was to bring the community together through art, and to offer residents the chance to be creative in a space where they felt comfortable. Three community artworks came out of these collaborations, which can be found at Ti'nu community housing complex, the YWCA Banff, and in Valleyview neighborhood.
Building an Inclusive Arts Community: 2022–Present
To understand how we can better serve each individual and the many diverse communities that make up the Bow Valley, address the barriers they face, and become a truly welcoming and inclusive organization, we engaged a third-party consultant to complete a comprehensive IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Audit between November 2022 and June 2023. The Audit included Listening Circles where community members gathered to share their honest experiences.
Cross-Cultural Experiences for Students: 2023
artsPlace partnered with Prairie Debut to facilitate a unique performance and workshop experience for the kids at Exshaw and Elizabeth Rummel Schools featuring the Eya-Hay Nakoda drum group and multi-instrumental music duo, Farhad Khosravi and Daniel Stadnicki. The collaboration was a space for cultural and intergenerational sharing between the performers and the students—and between the musicians. Students were introduced to a range of music styles that both broadened their horizons and deepened their sense of connection to their home in the Bow Valley.
Learn more about our work in the community in our Stories!
