Councillors will vote to adopt a new Arts and Culture Recognition program to individuals for their significant contributions to local arts and culture that would be displayed at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Members of the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board want to recognize local artists, singers, potters, writers and individuals who contribute to Medicine Hat in the arts and culture realm by establishing a new Arts and Culture Recognition program.
The new program would be modelled after the already established Sports Wall of Fame program and would also be displayed at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, however it would not be named the ‘wall of fame.’
Board members proposed that each year the city would recognize five individuals for their significant contributions to local arts and culture, displayed in the east wing of the Esplanade.
The aim of the program is to serve as a visual memory of arts and cultural contributions and achievements and to ensure local artists and mentors receive due recognition for their arts and culture contributions and achievements.
The board is proposing two categories of induction, one for artists in any discipline, while the other would be for ‘Culture Builders’ who have made contributions to life and culture development in the community as champions, mentors, teachers or supporters.
Members of the community vibrance board have met a handful of times with city staff to develop the nomination process, procedures and process of the Arts and Culture Recognition program.
In December 2024, the public services committee asked members of the Community Vibrancy advisory board to set criteria for the arts and culture walk of recognition after the city received various public inquiries over the last couple of years about how locals could be recognized for their contributions.
The proposed program received support from committee members and will go before council for adoption.
“This is a wonderful compliment to the sports aspect of our community,” said Coun. Robert Dumanowski. “We get to celebrate our culture and all the wonderful and diverse professionals who have contributed in that regard, past and present and future.”
“I think it’s awesome,” said Coun. Cassi Hinder. “I mean, Medicine Hat has a lot of hidden gems, a lot of hidden talent that we don’t share.”
According to city staff, the cost of implementing the program is expected to be minimal through advertising, installation of the award and hosting a recognition event.
Administration intends to look into the opportunity to jointly celebrate the Arts and Culture Recognition programs, the Sports Wall of Fame and the Community Spirit Awards.
If adopted, recognition of the work of the inductees would be highly visible from both the inside and outside of the Esplanade on the east end of the facility. Additionally, work would be recognized through various communication channels.
