Kids et their creativity flow during one of the Esplanade's Easter Break Art Days sessions in 2023.--news file photo
Building a strong cultural community takes more than programs and policies – it takes ongoing conversation. This spring, we’re bringing that idea to life through a Cultural Forum designed to connect, listen, and collaborate with the people who shape Arts, Heritage and Entertainment in our community.
The forum is part of our continued commitment to the Arts, Heritage and Entertainment Plan, and more importantly, to the relationships behind it. While the plan provides a shared framework and long-term direction, its success depends on meaningful engagement with artists, organizations, businesses and community partners. This gathering creates space for those connections to grow.
Throughout the day, participants will have opportunities to network, share experiences, and learn from one another. A featured session with marketing strategist Linda Hoang from Edmonton will explore practical approaches to visibility, storytelling, and audience connection – tools that support cultural work long after the forum ends. Attendees will also take part in a downtown walking tour led by Tourism Medicine Hat, offering a fresh perspective on place-making and the role culture plays in shaping vibrant spaces.
Behind the scenes, the forum is also about alignment. Participants will take part in conversations about the various community calendars already in use, engagement tools, and ways to stay involved in ongoing conversations related to the Arts, Heritage and Entertainment Plan. These resources help reduce silos, encourage collaboration, and ensure efforts across the sector are better connected.
At its core, the Cultural Forum is about listening – learning what’s working, what’s needed, and how we move forward together. By bringing stakeholders into the same room, we’re strengthening relationships, building shared understanding, and reinforcing a collective commitment to a more connected cultural community. The Cultural Forum will be open to the public, with registration launching in early March through tixx.ca. We encourage artists, organizations, businesses, and community members who are passionate about arts, heritage, and entertainment to join us and be part of the ongoing conversation.
Jessica Siwy is cultural programs co-ordinator for the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
