In its most recent round of grants, the Saskatchewan Arts Board has awarded more than $1 million, $13,020 of which will find its way to Yorkton.
An organization called Wonderscape Retreats was given $9,020 through the Artists in Communities Program for what it is calling a 鈥渃reative wellness retreat鈥� at Riding Mountain National Park September 30 to October 2.
The organization鈥檚 grant proposal included the stated purpose 鈥渢o re-awaken and nurture creative passion, using nature as a catalyst to connect artists with other makers and feed inspiration.鈥�
The weekend will include creativity workshops, a Saturday evening festival of art featuring a performance painter, musician and storyteller, a farm-to-table dinner and cabin accommodations on the shores of Clear Lake, MB.
鈥淲onderscape offers you time to devote to your craft (be it writing, painting, knitting, acting or inventing鈥�), inspiration from nature, and connection with other artists,鈥� a promotion for the event stated.
Also receiving funding through the Indigenous Pathways Initiative was Angus Vincent, who will get $4,000 to afford him time to develop and share his music.
Vincent is an Indie Folk/Rock artist musician who has received Arts Board funding in the past. In 2015, he used the $4,150 he received to produce a collection of songs he said he intended to be both personal and entertaining.
鈥淭hese are songs coming from my heart and my experiences, but I still want to be able to entertain,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 could have ten heartbreaking songs, but is someone going to want to watch that?鈥�
Vincent has been performing around the province since 2001 sometimes under the band names 鈥淪oundmyne鈥� and 鈥淭he Jaywalkers.鈥�
The Saskatchewan Arts Board was established in 1948 and claims to be the 鈥渇irst agency of its kind in North America and second in the world to the Arts Council of Great Britain.鈥�
It is funded by the Province with a mandate to 鈥渞ecognize, encourage and support the arts to enrich community well-being, creativity, diversity and prosperity.鈥�
