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.
HOW HAVE WE SUPPORTED ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE OVER THE PAST YEAR?
We’re excited to explore this answer with you at the annual general meeting of the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council:
Thursday, October 10, 2024
noon Pacific / 1 p.m. Mountain
online through Zoom.
Our AGM this year will include a special resolution to modify our bylaw dictating the number of directors. See the resolution here.
We are also pleased to have Leeza Perehudoff joining us from Selkirk Innovates. Leeza will be sharing about the State of the Basin research initiative, including its Subjective Well-being survey and other data-driven publications that may support arts organizations in their planning and local advocacy. (See her presentation here.)
In addition, we look forward to reflecting on WKRAC’s past year. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to share your own efforts, voice your needs and seek advice on issues your organization may be facing. You’ll connect with other arts-focused people and organizations across the region to hear what they’re doing, learn from one another and exchange information and resources.
Members and non-members are welcome, with voting reserved for members. (Below, see how to become a member, plus view AGM voting details.)
With your support, we deliver programming to amplify, celebrate and strengthen the cultural sector throughout the Columbia Basin. This includes valuable resources like these:
Ongoing sector news and updates about arts policy and advocacy opportunities.
Plus, you’ll be helping us administer the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance granting programs, funded by Columbia Basin Trust, which provide direct financial support to artists and arts organizations in our region.
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.
Gabe Wolfe, CKCA Steering Committee Member
Living in Rossland, Gabe Wolfe works out of her garage studio making ceramic pots, exploring silk screening and etching techniques, and learning about glazes. She also works as a critical care nurse.
WKRAC: How did you come to call the Columbia Basin home?
GW: I initially moved to Fernie after living on Vancouver Island. I missed the contrast of the seasons. I think I missed winter. I took up skiing and four years later met my now-husband skiing at Whitewater. We moved to Rossland as it was a good fit for us, with easy access to the outdoor activities we like, and I get to work in a bigger hospital with more services and live in a smaller town. The pottery society in the Miners’ Union Hall was directly across the street from where we lived. Things just fell into place here.
Are you involved in arts, culture and heritage outside of your work with WKRAC/CKCA? If so, what is your discipline or practice?
Our garage is my pottery studio. I like learning and the studio is a place where I let myself explore ways of making. I didn’t think pottery would lead me to silk screening, etching and the chemistry of glaze making.
Why did you wish to join this board/committee?
I feel it is a privilege to see what creatives in our communities want to show others. If I can help to make these inspirations become a reality, then I can contribute in a small way.
What do you think people in the region should be proud of in terms of arts, culture and heritage?
We have very talented and capable artists and organizers in the Basin. I see a very inclusive and imaginative creative force here. I’m so impressed with the depth of the projects that come into being. The lived expertise of our artists and mentors is hard to comprehend.
What advice do you have for people in the region pursuing a career in arts, culture and heritage?
Everyone has their own path. Prioritize following the whims that interest you. You never know how your love of something will mesh with someone else’s and a whole new thing will come out of it.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m grateful for the countless hours and energies that people invest of themselves in making life in our area more interesting, beautiful and meaningful.
During the Columbia Basin Culture Tour, fascinating venues open their doors
SPECIAL NOTE
Our hearts and best wishes go out to all those affected by wildfires.
A handful of Columbia Basin Culture Tour venues have been affected and, unfortunately, will not proceed as planned. See the tour web pages to view which locations have been cancelled. Also follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get the latest updates about how wildfire is affecting the tour.
Otherwise, about 90 other venues around the region are excited to welcome you into their venues to immerse you in this special celebration of local arts, culture and heritage. Enjoy the tour!
Nearly 100 artists, museums, art galleries, heritage sites and more will open their doors to the public—for free—during the Columbia Basin Culture Tour. Located in communities and rural areas throughout the Columbia Basin, the 16th annual tour takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and 11, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The people in this region are immensely creative, and it’s always a thrill to see the fruits of their amazing talents,” said Kallee Lins, Executive Director of the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council, which organizes the event. “Through the Culture Tour, the public gets to interact with individual artists and others involved in arts, culture and heritage in unique ways, enjoy special events, discover impressive artistic pieces, and maybe head home with a cherished item or two.”
With exhibitions, artwork displays, creative-process demonstrations and performances, there is something new to experience at each venue. The tour is self-guided and suitable for all ages.
“I love this event every year!” declares a past participant. “I always discover at least one new-to-me amazing artist.”
Another past participant states, “I have been attending the Culture Tour for more than 10 years and have always enjoyed it.”
To learn more about the Culture Tour, discover the venues and view a map of locations, visit cbculturetour.com. Printed copies of the Columbia Basin Culture Tour directory are also available around the region in locations like art galleries, visitors’ centres, chambers of commerce, hotels and cafés.
To keep up to date with tour happenings, follow @wkartscouncil on Instagram or Facebook.
It’s time to start thinking about what amazing venues you want to visit during the Columbia Basin Culture Tour!
Taking place around the Columbia Basin on Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and 11, 2024, the tour features nearly 100 venues, from artists’ studios, to museums, to heritage sites.
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.
Keiko Lee-Hem, CKCA Steering Committee Member
Living in Blewett, Keiko Lee-Hem works as a freelance graphic designer.
WKRAC: How did you come to call the Columbia Basin home?
KLH: In 2011, my extended family was in search of land to build on communally. We were lucky to find a sunny spot in Blewett whose zoning allowed us to build our multi-generational triplex where we all live today. The region’s natural beauty, paired with Nelson’s stellar arts and culture scene, made the decision to relocate a natural one.
Are you involved in arts, culture and heritage outside of your work with WKRAC/CKCA? If so, what is your discipline or practice?
I work as a freelance graphic designer, which gives me a consistent outlet for digital creation. However, I always come back to my fine arts training, with drawing and printmaking as my primary mediums of expression. I also love the chance to create in community, for instance working on an annual fundraising calendar with the Ink & Moon Collective, doing the Poppy’s Embrace Mural at the Oxygen Centre, and hosting nature-drawing sessions in my garden.
Why did you wish to join this board/committee?
Joining the steering committee gave me the chance to contribute to the health of the arts in our region, a sector that brings so much vitality and joy to us all. As a person of colour and an immigrant, I also saw value in bringing some representation of these groups into the committee. It was really interesting to learn more about the funding process, as well as about the diverse and creative artists and the projects that are brewing in every corner of the Columbia Basin. Finally, it was a great chance to build community with the other committee members!
What do you think people in the region should be proud of in terms of arts, culture and heritage?
It’s really special to live in a region with such a strong and well-recognized creative identity that draws people from near and far. We must continue to advocate for and support the arts in all the ways we can, to ensure that this sector remains vital and continues to serve us all.
What advice do you have for people in the region pursuing a career in arts, culture and heritage?
Follow your interests and passions and get involved in your arts community! That can look like so many things, from simply attending events, to volunteering at events, to spearheading something yourself. Being out in the world with your passions puts you in touch with people and opportunities that wouldn’t find you otherwise, and this shared energy will help to build the momentum of your own creative journey.
Also, make sure to check out Keiko’s chat with host Shayna Jones in our Vibrant Basin podcast, speaking about her holistic approach to design work and how she prioritizes work/life balance.
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