Artists, Makers, & Creators

Testimonials and Support

• We must put culture and place at the centre of building Canadian communities

  External Advisory Committee on Cities and Communities (Harcourt) Committee

• The SAA believes that the arts innovative and ARTSPACE's cultural hub would support creativity, artistic entrepreneurship, and collaboration across sectors. It would meet a need of Saskatoon artists and arts organizations and the benefit the city of Saskatoon by developing undervalued buildings as community assets, providing reasonably priced, permanent studio, rehearsal and performance space for working artists and arts organizations.

  Kelley Jo Burke, President, Past President, Saskatchewan Arts Alliance

• Canada’s artists and cultural workers have much higher levels of formal education than the overall labour force. Yet, their average income is 32% lower than other workers. Artists are also much more likely to be self-employed and to hold multiple jobs. Economic challenges are particularly significant for retiring artists, most of whom have been unable to save any money for retirement. In spite of these economic challenges, artists are broadly acknowledged as catalysts of revitalization and of place making.

  Frédéric Julien, Co-Chair of the Canadian Arts Coalition

• The advocacy body Americans for the Arts argues that cultural districts “help strengthen local economies, create an enhanced sense of place, and deepen local cultural capacity.” Canadian studies conducted by the Canadian Arts Presenting Association and Community Foundations of Canada found that cultural spaces and programming contribute to a sense of pride and a sense of belonging in the local community.

  Frédéric Julien, Co-Chair of the Canadian Arts Coalition

• In our estimation, ARTSPACE will not only be a hub of creative impulse, creation and exploration but will offer an efficient infrastructure that could reduce duplication, enhance productivity and bring together, under one roof, education, creation, exhibition, and retail. How exciting a place it will be.

  Carmen Milenkovic, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Craft Council

• Because of our close interaction with local artists on a day-to-day basis, we know that finding affordable working space is now a primary concern for many artists. Low availability and high rates for the few available spaces lead many artists to work from their home, thereby missing out on the tremendous creative energy that a vibrant and active shared space can generate. ARTSPACE's objective to provide affordable studio space would greatly contribute the alleviation of this problem.

  Levi Nicholat, MFA, The Gallery/art placement inc.