It is an opportunity for Squamish youth to access summer camps they otherwise couldn’t afford.
The Squamish Arts Council, Youth at Art scholarship program has been re-launched for young people under 18 years old.
Partial and full scholarships will be offered for students wanting to
participate in any Squamish arts or culture summer camps.
The scholarships were also offered in 2016.
The Squamish Academy of Music (SAM), Up with Art, the Squamish Dance Centre and HappiMess have partnered with the arts council to match the scholarship funding for their programs, according to Cydney Lyons, chair of the council.
The BC Arts Council provides grants toward the scholarships.
“The arts council’s mission is to improve access to art, culture and heritage in Squamish,” Lyons told The Chief. “We believe that this is an amazing opportunity to do so. It takes away that barrier of finance and allows people to get access to arts and culture, which we believe is super important.”
The deadline is fast approaching; apply by Friday (June 16).
Squamish Arts Council will also be offering more programming come fall. District of Squamish council passed a motion June 5 to allow the arts council to use $25,000 earmarked for a campaign for a new arts building in the 2016 budget for new programming instead.
The idea for the new arts centre has been shelved for now and the Squamish Arts Council building in Junction Park, has been re-invigorated and updated.
The next step toward new fall and winter programming is for Squamish Arts Council representatives to meet with other organizations and businesses who offer arts or culture programming to determine where the gaps are and to build community partnerships, Lyons said. “Making sure that we are all working to strengthen the arts community together as opposed to in opposition.”
The programs to be offered will be announced in time for the fall and winter seasons, Lyons said.
For information on the Squamish Arts Council or to apply for the scholarships go to
www.squamishartscouncil.com.
Home for the Chili Thom mural?
The Squamish Arts Council is seeking a home for the Chili Thom Squamish mural-Picture of The Sound We Want, which was removed from the former Pac West building when it was demolished in April. If you have an idea of where this inspiring piece of Squamish art and history can go, contact the council at [email protected].
