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Red Deer holds Culture Café

City aims to get a timely snapshot of arts, culture, heritage scene at Culture Café

The City of Red Deer aims to get a timely snapshot of what’s happening in the city’s arts, culture and heritage scene at a Culture Café next month.

“We’re also opening the door to future partnerships” between local groups, said Janet Pennington, heritage community development co-ordinator for the city.

About 50 organizations — from theatre troupes to visual artists and musicians, to heritage and cultural groups — are invited to take part in the 6 to 8:30 p.m. event on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Golden Circle Seniors Centre in Red Deer.

Interested individuals don’t have to wait for an invitation — Pennington added anyone can participate in discussions, including those who’d like to contribute to the scene, but aren’t sure how to get their foot in the door.

City staff are interested in how arts and culture groups are doing in the community. This feedback will provide city council with a progress report on the implementation of the Community Culture Vision plan, which was adopted in 2008. The most recent progress report was done a year ago.

Pennington said the plan was developed with community input around vision, themes and goals. The aim now is to see how residents feel the action items are being implemented.

All Red Deer residents interested in the arts, culture and heritage can discuss their state of operations and their challenges, said Pennington. “Some people might be desperate to find a space to have an event,” she added, whereas another group might have space that could be rented.

The Culture Café will provide opportunities for collaborations, as well as to learn more about existing services. Information will be shared about a city grant program, as well as other things the municipality is doing to help develop local arts, culture and heritage.

The city recognizes that “the more cultural events and heritage buildings we have, the more it contributes to our sense of place and identity,” Pennington said.

Any “cultural consumer or creator” who contributes to the local scene is welcome to join the conversation. Pennington said this includes individuals or businesses that own or occupy heritage buildings.

The results of the café will provide city council with a progress report early in 2017.

To RSVP by Nov. 10, please email culturemailbox@reddeer.ca or call 403-309-4091.

lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com