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COLUMN: Members sought for arts committee

The municipality is looking for seven community members to provide input into arts and culture
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Douglas Paton

There is a great opportunity happening in Summerland right now that could give you a chance to help shape the art scene here in Summerland.

The District of Summerland is looking for seven community members to provide a local perspective in guiding progress of arts and cultural development within the community.

This group, which is a result of last year’s cultural report, will help guide the city in making decisions related to arts and cultural here in Summerland. The goal is to help the district further develop the arts scene.

Artists from all aspects of the arts world are being sought for the group, as well arts supporters, cultural entrepreneurs and professionals from other sectors, such as businesses, education and health.

Young adults are also encouraged to apply.

This is a chance for the artists (and arts lovers) of Summerland to get out and help create the kind of arts scene you want to see here.

It’s all too easy to just sit back and let decisions get made that you don’t necessarily agree with or maybe you could think could have been done better.

However, taking the time to actually get involved can be a much more rewarding experience. This is especially important for the younger generation of artists.

Ensuring that the voice and visions of younger artists in Summerland is heard is vital to a positive cultural growth.

I encourage anyone who has the time to spare and the desire to see the art scene thrive here in Summerland to think about joining this group.

Opportunities to really get involved in the arts at such an involved local level don’t arise very often and this is a good chance to be a part of a team that has an impact on the arts and culture scene here in Summerland.

It happens all too often that people don’t get involved enough, whether it be in the arts or some other aspect of life.

When that happens things can coast along for a while, then, as those people who have been doing what seems like all the work for a long time get tired of being those people things stop happening. And, without new perspectives and fresh, young ideas to help keep things going, eventually it just peters off entirely.

Now, I’ve been writing about the Summerland art scene for a while now and I know there’s no risk of that happening any time soon, but when a call for involvement like this goes out, sometimes it helps to remind people the perils of not getting involved.

Anyone who wishes to join the group and get involved can contact Kayleigh Hall at khall@summerland.ca, visit the District of Summerland website, www.summerland.ca or stop by the municipal hall.

Douglas Paton is a Summerland writer and musician. If you know of a local arts and culture event, contact him at dgpaton80@gmail.com.