Next Wednesday there will be a Philosophers’ Cafe at the IOOF Hall to discuss “Why Cultural Planning is important for Summerland.”
This evening with Gord Hume, author of Cultural Planning for Creative Communities, is an opportunity for residents to hear from one of Canada’s leading voices on municipal government, sustainable urban development, cultural planning and creative cities on how Summerland can adapt the “fourth pillar of sustainability”—culture—into our planning, budgeting, decision making and why that will benefit the local economy.
Gord Hume gave the keynote speech to the UNESCO Congress on Creative Cities, held in South Korea in October 2010.
His speech was based on his book which offers practical ideas that can act as a blueprint for local governments wishing to implement cultural planning.
What roles does the creative community play in our town?
Both economically and in terms of quality of life. How do we shape and enhance our cultural assets?
We know that the Good Will Shakespeare Festival brings several hundred people to our community each May.
Not only do these students learn about Shakespeare and the theatre, but they, their teachers and chaperones spend a significant amount of money in our town while they are here. And who knows they might just return for a family vacation.
The Kettle Valley Steam Railway, Wednesdays on the Water, the Festival of Lights and Action Festival are other examples of cultural activities that draw people to Summerland.
Following right on the heels of this discussion of the value of culture in a community is the opening of a new exhibit at the Summerland Art Gallery on Thursday, May 7. Celebrating 100 Years of the KVR promises to be an interesting show as it is a collaborative show that will incorporate a number of artists and works in a variety of styles.
There will, in fact be a little bit of everything: Quilts, watercolours, acrylic, oil, pen and ink steam punk style, and comic book illustration.
On the Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., Ken Orford, the general manager of the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, will be doing a power point presentation focusing on the history of the KVR.
David Finnis is the publicity chair and past president of the Summerland Community Arts Council, P.O. Box 1217, 9908 Main St., Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0.
