Municipality of the Arts
Last December, the Town of Sackville was pleased and proud to learn that it had been selected as Municipality of the Arts 2003! In announcing this second annual prize, the New Brunswick Arts Board cited Sackville as "a model for cultural development in smaller communities, fostering a lively arts scene with broad community support".
The Town has historically embraced culture in the broadest sense, winning widespread support and creating successful partnerships. The most notable partner is the University. Mount Allison encourages young people in the community to attend the cultural activities it presents by offering free admission to the Performing Arts Series to all first year students, and discounted tickets to parents bringing children.
Town Council enthusiastically supports the arts. Having a Councilor who is also a Fine Arts professor ( Virgil Hammock) and is willing to push the arts agenda means that culture takes a higher priority. The most recent example is Council's appointment in February, 2003, of Douglas Lochead as Sackville's Poet Laureate for its centennial year.
The Town's commitment is further evidenced in the creation of the Culture & Arts sector of Renaissance Sackville, the group that nominated the Town for the Arts award. Financial support continues to grow as the economic benefits are further realized. In March, 2002, the Town commissioned a survey of cultural occupations. The survey showed Culture and Arts as a major economic contributor to the community.
Indeed, this year's Arts Award comes with a $3,000 cash prize. What will the Town do with the money? Meredith Fisher, Renaissance Sackville's co-ordinator, says "purchasing or commissioning artwork for our new Civic Centre, is a possibility. Something to highlight our culture in a very inclusive and public way."
Meredith says the goal of the many volunteers working in arts and culture is to create a community with a sense of pride and a high quality of life. "The culture we create will be our legacy - our art, our buildings, our environment. We have to begin now to preserve these things that are key to our success and our future."
Community planning for future Arts projects includes a Centennial Monument in the center of the town, an artist/sculptor-designed Pedway Project linking the TransCanada Trail from the Waterfowl Park to the Tantramar Marsh, and a multipurpose Theatre/ Community Center in the downtown core.
The Municipality of the Arts Prize will be presented at a ceremony at the provincial legislature on April 15, 2003. On the preceding evening, the award winners will be honored at a Celebration Gala performance at the Fredericton Playhouse. This is a special year for Sackville: A centenary to celebrate our colourful past, a wonderful arts award to celebrate our present and bright future with boundless possibilities!