For the past few newsletters, you may have noticed a new banner: a fabulous piece of artwork by Pat Bavin. In upcoming issues, we’d like to continue to introduce banners by other artists. Get in touch to be one of them! We pay!
We’re looking for the following:
You’re an artist who works in any media and lives in the Columbia Basin.
The banner is horizontal: 800 px wide by 322 px high, at 96 dpi. Ensure your work would be suitable for these dimensions; it will be cropped, so the entire image most likely won’t be shown.
A new banner will be introduced every three months in 2025, starting in January. Ideally, we’re looking for artwork that would be suitable for the seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall.
We will pay $100 total for this three-month use, plus tax if you require, with your name credited beneath the image. This would be non-exclusive; feel free to use the artwork in any other way during that time.
The West Kootenay Regional Arts Council (WKRAC) exists to help arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin thrive. To do so, we rely on a dedicated team of board members, plus steering committee members who oversee the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) arts and culture grants.
Who are these people? In this series, we’re introducing you to the folks behind the scenes.
Kristin Teetaert, WKRAC Board Member
Living in Cranbrook, Kristin Teetaert works as the Executive Director of Cranbrook Arts (Cranbrook and District Arts Council).
WKRAC: How did you come to call the Columbia Basin home?
KT: On a whim, really. In 2022 we decided to move from our small town in Saskatchewan back west (having lived in Calgary previously). We visited Cranbrook and it felt like a good-sized community for us…plus mountains!
Are you involved in arts, culture and heritage outside of your work with WKRAC/CKCA? If so, what is your discipline or practice?
I’ve been an arts administrator since 2011 and have taught art classes for two decades. Outside of work I am a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on fibre and ceramics.
Why did you wish to join this board/committee?
I was seeking a way to connect with the arts community in a broader sense, and want to be a part of strengthening the connections between the East and West Kootenays. I think there are opportunities for collaboration and sharing of information that will benefit our communities and artists.
What do you think people in the region should be proud of in terms of arts, culture and heritage?
Artists in the region should take pride in their unique art style that is deeply influenced by the beauty of the surrounding mountains and lakes. They should be proud of what they have built, often with little to no money and a LOT of hard work.
What advice do you have for people in the region pursuing a career in arts, culture and heritage?
Build connections with other artists and cultural organizations, and be open to collaboration. Never stop learning! I know that sounds cliché but I feel it’s valuable to continue to seek out opportunities for professional development, workshops and collaborations as you are establishing your career, and even after.
What vision do you see for the future of arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin?
In Cranbrook, we are seeing a lot of growth. There are new collaborations happening in the arts and culture sector, which is exciting. I think that region-wide collaborations and sharing of knowledge and resources will help the region continue to grow and develop.
These grants—funded by Columbia Basin Trust and managed by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council—are available for all art disciplines, for both individuals and arts and culture organizations in the Columbia Basin.
Program information now online
CKCA’s next application period will open January 13, 2025, and close February 21, 2025, or March 7, 2025, depending on the program. To view the basic information about each program, click here.
Additional details—such as funding policies, program guidelines and application links—will be available when the programs launch on January 13, 2025.
What’s different this year?
We simplified the name of the program Arts Funding to Communities; now, it’s called Community Grants. Note that the deadline for this program is February 21, 2025.
All other program applications are due March 7, 2025.
We adjusted the focus of the program that was formerly called Major Project Arts & Culture. Now, it’s called Major Projects. Major Projects funding is available to support individual artists or artist groups and collectives in the execution of projects to create artistic works, bodies of work, arts and culture performances, events or projects on a major scale.
Non-profit organizations proposing large-scale projects should apply under Arts Evolution.
Q&A sessions
To learn more about these grants and how to apply, attend one of our FREE question-and-answer sessions. The events all take place online through Zoom.
Before you attend a session, we encourage you to watch the video about the specific program you’re considering applying to. Note: these videos will only be available as of January 13, 2025, when the programs launch. To find the video, select the program that interests you and navigate to that program’s page. Afterwards, come to the Q&A session with your questions.
If you have questions about your specific project, rather than the programs themselves, contact us directly instead of asking them during a session.
Scotia Monkivitch presents Creative Recovery: Unleash the Power of Creativity.
From October 3 to 5, 2024, artists and cultural workers from across British Columbia met in kʷikʷəƛ̓əm | Coquitlam for the biannual Arts BC conference. One of the most resonant themes at this year’s event was the need for arts organizations, arts workers, artists and arts supporters to “shift the narrative” around arts and culture’s role in society. Presenters emphasized the significant economic contributions of arts and culture within BC and their critical role in fostering healthy communities and ecosystems. Here are a few standout examples.
Scotia Monkivitch from the Creative Recovery Network gave an inspiring presentation on how her organization uses arts and culture in disaster management and recovery efforts across Australia. Her talk highlighted how the arts can be a powerful tool for communication and healing. In one project she highlighted, artists crafted birdhouses to provide shelter for animals displaced during wildfire, creating a symbol of hope and renewal within the transformed landscape. Similarly, the Chook Project invited communities to knit colourful chickens as comforting gifts for children who had lost their schools and homes to wildfire. These projects go beyond aesthetics, offering accessible and meaningful ways for people to process trauma and loss collectively.
Yun-Jou Chang and Ryan Hunt provide a seminar on Building Capacity to Hold Nuance.
X’staam Hana’ax Nicole Halbauer, Research Manager for H.E.A.L. Healthcare at the Health Arts Research Centre, urged conference attendees to see the arts as an essential counterpart to the sciences. She shared the example of graphic novels being used in training healthcare professionals, particularly in anti-bias training, to deepen empathy and understanding. Halbauer stressed that arts are not merely complementary to sciences but are essential tools for rethinking and enriching healthcare practices.
These examples underscore the essential role of arts and culture in society, reminding us that they are far more than sources of inspiration—they are foundational to resilience, understanding and community well-being.
Additionally, conference sessions called on us, as arts leaders, to create shifts within our organizations. A metaphor that came up several times throughout the conference (thanks to Sidi Chen) is that the arts are not just the icing on a cupcake; they’re the flour, eggs and milk. You can’t have a cupcake without those ingredients, and—as Nicole Halbauer added—you can’t remove them once they’re baked. Equity work should live in a similarly central place within organizations, suffusing every aspect of cultural work.
Elliott Hearte of Arts BC and Carla Stephenson of Rurals Arts Inclusion Lab and Many Pathways provide a keynote.
Confronting outdated narratives in the broader sector sometimes requires us to look inside our organizations and ask honestly, “Are there patterns of harm that our work is perpetuating?” Conference presenters offered meaningful tools to help answer that question. Dagan Nish from ActSafe broke down for session attendees the difference between mental health, psychological safety, and psychological health and safety. While taking each of these seriously can improve the well-being of our teams, Nish also advocated for a shift in how we regard the value of these workplace factors. Amy Edmondson’s research out of Harvard University has demonstrated that psychological safety is the number one factor in workplace productivity; it is high time that supportive and caring workplaces are seen as having a competitive edge.
Meena Das, an expert in non-profit data management and evaluation, guided participants through an exploration of how values and a commitment to equity can be expressed in seemingly simple processes like survey creation. For instance, if “inclusivity” is an organizational value, are you ensuring that everyone who takes your survey can see themselves reflected in the options provided? If you value “accountability,” are you acting on insights the community provides to you, or simply performing an engagement process?
The energy in plenary and breakout sessions was palpable. While changing the narrative around our sector’s value won’t happen overnight, the Arts BC conference was a vital step toward a shared language and the creation of a province-wide commitment to advocating for stronger investment in the arts, for the sake of our sector and our communities at large.
Written by Ingrid Love, Social Media Coordinator of the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council, and Kallee Lins, Executive Director.
As an artist or arts and culture organization, you may have big dreams. So how do you get the funding to make them come true?
Each year, the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA)—funded by Columbia Basin Trust and managed by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council—provides grants to arts and culture projects throughout the Columbia Basin.
The CKCA application period opens in January, and it’s never too early to start developing your ideas.
At this point, we invite you to attend our first question-and-answer session, which is taking place online at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, during the Rural Artist Support Weekend, hosted by the Nelson and District Arts Council (NDAC). For details and to register, view the website. Also follow NDAC on Instagram or Facebook.
As for additional CKCA Q&A sessions, coming in early 2025, get details as they’re announced by signing up for our newsletter or following us on Facebook or Instagram.
The West Kootenay Regional Arts Council (WKRAC) exists to help arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin thrive. To do so, we rely on a dedicated team of board members, plus steering committee members who oversee the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) arts and culture grants.
Who are these people? In this series, we’re introducing you to the folks behind the scenes.
Linda Kalbun, CKCA Steering Committee Member
New Denver resident Linda Kalbun works as the Administrator of the Slocan Lake Arts Council (SLAC).
WKRAC: How did you come to call the Columbia Basin home?
LK: We moved to Nelson in the mid-90s and lived there until 2008, when we left for an adventure in the high north: Yellowknife. We planned to stay up north for three years and stayed for 13! Just before covid, we moved back to Nelson, and last year moved to New Denver.
Are you involved in arts, culture and heritage outside of your work with WKRAC/CKCA? If so, what is your discipline or practice?
Before moving to Yellowknife, I began painting with acrylics and participated in Nelson’s ArtWalk. I continued painting in Yellowknife, which has a hugely supportive arts community. I still paint but have also moved to printmaking, which I adore. I am excited for the arrival of a press in the next month. While in Yellowknife, I was a member of a print studio that had a large press and was exposed to lots of different printmaking techniques. My art pal and I also travelled to various locations for printmaking courses. (The photo is of me in Ireland a couple of years ago.) So to have my own press shortly is a dream. (I may have to quit my arts council job to find time in the studio!)
Why did you wish to join this board/committee?
I would like to give back to the arts community here, and sitting on this committee does that—as well as being interesting and providing exposure to all kinds of creatives.
What do you think people in the region should be proud of in terms of arts, culture and heritage?
The North Slocan Lake region has a huge number of artists, of all stripes. The Slocan Lake Arts Council is a small, volunteer board that punches way above its weight in terms of the programming it offers, and on a very small budget.
What advice do you have for people in the region pursuing a career in arts, culture and heritage?
Be aware of all of the various funding opportunities, support your fellow artists and have fun! Hold onto the process! (And keep your day job—ha ha!)
What vision do you see for the future of arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin?
I would love to see the tiny villages of Silverton and New Denver become destination arts communities. The area already is a destination for music training during the summer months through the Valhalla Fine Arts Society and I would love to see it expand beyond that to week-long arts workshops and residencies, bringing artists from far and away to the community. The Slocan Lake Arts Council has been active in spearheading the restoration of a heritage building that has historically been the home of SLAC (previously known as the Silverton Gallery Society). The restoration of this building would make it a great home for artists’ workshops and residencies. (I am not speaking on behalf of SLAC here, just my dreaming!)
The West Kootenay Regional Arts Council (WKRAC) exists to help arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin thrive. To do so, we rely on a dedicated team of board members, plus steering committee members who oversee the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) arts and culture grants.
Who are these people? In this series, we’re introducing you to the folks behind the scenes.
Sheila Tansey, CKCA Steering Committee Member
Sheila Tansey works in retail and is a practicing artist in Invermere.
WKRAC: How did you come to call the Columbia Basin home?
ST: I moved to the Columbia Basin a year and a half ago from the Central Okanagan, so I’m a new resident. I grew up on a farm in west-central Saskatchewan, on some of the flattest, quietest big-sky prairie imaginable. However, I dreamt of big mountains, lakes and forests to explore. And after university in Saskatoon, I did that! I spent nearly 20 years in the Vancouver area, was in the Okanagan Valley for nearly 15 years, and now here I am! Having grown up in a small community, I feel at home here. Smaller communities have challenges, but also opportunities like the connection I feel to the land and the people. This community is fulfilling all my needs for nature, exploration and creativity.
Are you involved in arts, culture and heritage outside of your work with WKRAC/CKCA? If so, what is your discipline or practice?
I paint fun, colourful images that relate to my memories of farm life and my adventuring in the mountains. I’ve recently had my art products accepted at a local artisan shop and I’m very happy to share my creations with the community. I am also volunteering with the Columbia Valley Arts Council. In the Okanagan, I was very active as a volunteer and practicing artist in the local art scene. I taught art classes and participated in many exhibitions and events. I want to continue to do this in the Columbia Valley.
Why did you wish to join this board/committee?
I worked for the Columbia Valley Arts Council for five months in early 2024 and decided that arts administration was not for me. During that time, I was offered a volunteer opportunity to be on the CKCA steering committee. Immersion is a great way to get to know a community. I certainly found being a “newbie” on the committee posed a delightful challenge for me, and I’ve learned so much. Columbia Basin Trust and the CKCA provide arts and culture with a unique opportunity in this province, and I am learning so much about the vibrant, creative people and events in the Basin
What do you think people in the region should be proud of in terms of arts, culture and heritage?
We should be proud of how the Columbia waterway ties us together. The river, the mountains and the woodland prairies sustain our lives. The First Nations communities here have known this for thousands of years. I had heard about the many arts and culture, music and heritage festivals in the East Kootenay before I moved here. Now I get to assist and be part of the community that makes these events happen. People come here from all over the world to attend these amazing events.
What advice do you have for people in the region pursuing a career in arts, culture and heritage?
I think persistence is a great attitude. A career in arts, culture and heritage can be challenging. I find I need to embrace the entrepreneurial mindset most of the time and it can be distracting and feel counterproductive when all I want to do is create art. Learn how to run a small business. Learn the history of the First Nations peoples of this area to understand and accept their challenges and successes. Participate in different cultural celebrations. Learning is lifelong. Embrace it!
What vision do you see for the future of arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin?
I hope to see more of the younger generation that grew up in this valley return or decide to stay here. To do that we need to have ways to help them find a future in the valley. I think with new technologies, awareness of the fragility of our environment, and acknowledgement of the importance of a strong community we can do that. It is a work in progress.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I am happy to have found an area of British Columbia that I feel a huge attachment to. I am excited to call myself a Columbia Basin resident. I can create, explore and make a life here!
Around the Columbia Basin, artists and arts and culture organizations have exciting plans when it comes to creating and sharing art, music, theatre and much more. Through funding from Columbia Basin Trust, delivered by the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA), 126 such projects—ranging from writing novels, to completing murals, to teaching quillwork—are receiving more than $512,000 in 2024/25.
The CKCA is a project of the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council and distributes funding on behalf of Columbia Basin Trust. See all the current projects here.
Métis capote (image credit: www.hbcheritage.ca)
Here are a few examples:
The Métis capote has existed as far back as the 1600s: a handmade, wrap-style coat made of European textiles fashioned through Indigenous techniques. This fall, the Rocky Mountain Métis Association will be hosting a workshop in Cranbrook so that 11 Métis artists, crafters and citizens can learn how to make capotes, led by Métis Elder Doreen Bergum alongside Maxine Adshead, an accomplished Métis artist and crafter.
“Revitalizing Métis culture through arts and culture is critical; strong cultural foundations are the basis of health and well-being, allowing individuals to thrive,” said Deborah McPhee, Community Cultural Services Coordinator. “Making capotes is a piece of Métis culture lost through colonization, so this workshop will facilitate the transmission of Métis knowledge and practices, literally wrapping the participants in Métis culture.”
The approximate location where the new kiln will go.
On its rural Ymir Arts Centre property, the Renascence Arts and Sustainability Society is installing a wood-fired soda kiln for ceramics, in partnership with ceramicist Hannah Rane. It will be the only one around that will be publicly accessible. This activity is part of the society’s planned multi-purpose rural arts centre project—with the theme “Caring for Rural Arts”— which is taking place on the historic Ymir hospital property.
“The kiln will provide huge opportunities for the current and growing local ceramics community and the community in general, plus be an incredible stepping stone for nearby ceramics students and graduates,” said Shawn Stephenson, Creative Director. “It will create a fantastic draw to the area and encourage active participation and community involvement in the arts.”
Folks in several locations in the Basin will get a chance to enjoy the songs of Cranbrook musician Maddisun as she brings her Home tour to the region this fall. Weaving together indie-folk, Americana, classic rock and electro-pop, Maddisun’s intimate shows will also feature a range of diverse performers and special guests. The tour will kick off October 25 at The Stage Door in Cranbrook, with further dates to be announced. See details here.
Maddison (image credit: Dariynn Silver)
“When I am home in the Kootenays, it only feels right to showcase my songs in the way that feels the most like ‘Home’—by creating a special and connected space to experience the music,” she says. “I plan to showcase my passion for music and songwriting in curated venues, creating excitement for the local arts scene while growing relationships with fans, venue owners, venue staff, local artists and everyone else involved in making the events happen.”
CKCA funding is available to both individuals and arts and culture organizations. All arts disciplines are eligible (including visual art, theatre, music, dance, media, literary and inter-arts), as are cultural projects like traditional cultural practices and preserving languages. Separate granting streams target different focuses, such as individual and group projects, master classes, touring and major exhibition projects. Overall, the goal is to help artists and arts and culture organizations create exceptional projects that enliven life in the Basin.
“I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to all applicants for this year’s funding cycle; I am always impressed by the creativity that exists across the Basin. The support of the CKCA and funding from the Trust creates opportunities both for rural professional and emerging artists and for not-for-profit arts organizations to exhibit works, put on shows, host workshops and share their creations. These projects contribute to fostering creativity, connections and community across the region. The CKCA cherishes its ongoing partnership with Columbia Basin Trust, as it plays an important role in nurturing the arts while showcasing the vibrant and unique communities that make up the Basin.”
Justine Cohen, Manager, Delivery of Benefits, Columbia Basin Trust
“Columbia Basin Trust is excited to partner with the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council to support projects that enrich our region’s vibrant arts and culture. We congratulate the successful applicants and invite everyone in the Basin to enjoy these creative experiences.”
The West Kootenay Regional Arts Council (WKRAC) exists to help arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin thrive. To do so, we rely on a dedicated team of board members, plus steering committee members who oversee the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) arts and culture grants.
Who are these people? In this series, we’re introducing you to the folks behind the scenes.
Genevieve Robertson is a self-employed artist who lives in Nelson.
WKRAC: How did you come to call the Columbia Basin home?
GR: I initially came to the Kootenays in 2017 to visit and support a friend with the birth of her daughter, but I fell in love with the people and environment here and I never left!
Are you involved in arts, culture and heritage outside of your work with WKRAC/CKCA? If so, what is your discipline or practice?
I am a visual artist. My practice is grounded in drawing/painting and extends to video, installation, writing and various forms of collaboration. As the climate crisis intensifies, my interest in cross-sectoral bridging between arts and environmental fields of practice is increasing.
Why did you wish to join this board/committee?
I had twins in 2021 and wanted to become more active in the arts community again. I also wanted to get a sense of what was happening in the arts sector across the region, and gain board experience at an arts service organization. I have seen how WKRAC and CKCA have such a positive impact on so many artists/organizations, and I wanted to be part of that.
What do you think people in the region should be proud of in terms of arts, culture and heritage?
We are a remote, largely rural region with a very diverse, effective and accomplished arts community. While many artists are actively engaged in their local communities, many are also reaching out and making ties beyond the Basin in exciting ways. I think the thriving and engaged arts community here is what sets this region apart from many others in British Columbia.
What advice do you have for people in the region pursuing a career in arts, culture and heritage?
Everyone is different and has such a different story, so I have no universal advice … there’s no clear path as an artist, maybe especially one living remotely. For me, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to practice making art in a quieter and supportive place. I think of it like a nurturing home base, and try to get out and experience art and make connections elsewhere also. I think having a group of like-minded artists around (even if it’s small) is integral to life as a creative living remotely.
What vision do you see for the future of arts, culture and heritage in the Columbia Basin?
As with the rest of the arts in BC and Canada, I hope we are moving further towards a sector that is equitable, inclusive and supports the research and production of a broad range of practitioners. I also hope that we are moving further towards a reality that includes appropriate remuneration for artists during all cycles of their creative work.
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