By Nicole Fitzgerald
The Sea to Sky Cultural Alliance will host a
forum Nov. 18 in Squamish to further build cultural connections and
partnerships in the Sea to Sky corridor in the lead up to the 2010 Winter
Olympic Games and beyond.
“The forum is going to focus on looking at what are the
commonalities within the communities and how we can work better together with
marketing and branding, and coordination of events and festivals,” said Doti
Niedermayer, executive director of the Whistler Arts Council. “It will look at
how we can work more as a cohesive unit — a cultural corridor.”
The Sea to Sky Cultural Summit: Building Cultural Pride –
Corridor Wide will welcome more than 100 individuals to the forum, including
artists in all disciplines, businesses in the private sector, educators, arts
administrators, politicians and municipal administrators representing Sea to
Sky communities, including the Squamish and Lil’wat Nation.
The one-day forum will include speakers as well as workshops. The
invitation list and guest speakers are still being finalized.
The Alliance was formed earlier this year, bringing arts and
culture heads together with politicians for monthly roundtable discussions and
to stimulate engagement in cultural experiences throughout the region, from
North Vancouver to Mount Currie, including Bowen Island.
“The initiative is fantastic,” Niedermayer said. “The group is driven by influential people. MLA Joan McIntyre has almost been at every meeting. There is Max Wyman from Lions Bay and Pam Goldsmith from North Vancouver. There is really some support behind this initiative.”