STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1: FUNDING IS SUSTAINABLE AND ADAPTABLE TO CHANGING NEEDS
WE IDENTIFIED DIRECTION OF FUNDING RENEWAL
PREPARING A CLEAR PATH FOR SUCCESS
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N ITS 2020-25 STRATEGIC PLAN, THE SASKCULTURE BOARD IDENTIFIED THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM RENEWAL PROCESS. OVER THE PAST YEAR, SASKCULTURE STAFF HAVE PREPARED A PATH FOR THIS PROCESS TO UNFOLD. A TERMS OF REFERENCE WAS COMPLETED THAT OUTLINED RATIONALE, OBJECTIVES AND KEY PHASES OF IMPLEMENTATION. Along with ensuring the effectiveness of existing practices, a renewal process will help ensure that SaskCulture’s funding model is sustainable, accessible and adaptive to changing needs in order to support relevant cultural activities in Saskatchewan. “We are committed to ensuring that Sask Lotteries proceeds are used to support cultural activity that meets the needs of those living in this province,” explains James Ingold, Chair, SaskCulture. “We’ve all recognized the changes in the population – the need to address Reconciliation with Indigenous communities in a meaningful way and to be inclusive of a greater diversity of peoples has never been more important to this province.”
SASKCULTURE BOARD AND STAFF SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME IN 2019 DISCUSSING COMMUNITY NEEDS BEFORE THE BOARD FINALIZED ITS 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN. PHOTO BY DIANE ELL.
SaskCulture wants to place a greater emphasis on the advancement and support of inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) in all areas of funding. According to Dean Kush, CEO, SaskCulture, “We are working with our community partners to create a better understanding of what IDEA means to people and how SaskCulture can create a strategy for change.” Funding programs are the main focus of this review. SaskCulture’s operational and project funding, approximately $11 million annually, supports a wide range of cultural activity in the province. It is important to ensure that these dollars are supporting the change needed. There are no quick fixes to address the changes needed. “The phases of this process will take place over the next three to four years,” says Kush. “We need the time to review existing data, listen to community needs, identify solutions and make recommendations for going forward.” Stakeholders can expect to be involved in the process and receive regular updates as work on program renewal continues.
SASKCULTURE A YEAR IN REVIEW / 2020-2021
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