Culture helps to create communities. Festivals, events, workshops, concerts and other artistic or cultural programming help provide opportunities to meet your neighbors, to enjoy a shared experience. Art has long been recognized as an effective means to build self-esteem in troubled youth, especially in the Aboriginal population, given the importance of artistic and cultural practices in Aboriginal traditions and customs.
The Canada West Foundation paper on the impact of arts and culture in Western Canadian cities states:
"A considerable body of research suggests that arts and culture contribute to a range of positive impacts for western Canadian cities—impacts that ultimately create a distinct urban culture for each city. The qualitative research on the value of the arts points to four categories of benefit that communities derive: (1) better health and well-being of citizens; (2) enhanced community identity and social cohesion; (3) community revitalization and the re-development of inner cities; and (4) economic effects. Each of these four categories contributes to a city’s larger quality of life and urban culture."
Inner Circle Management is greatly aware of the importance of culture in a healthy community, and of the transformative impact that cultural activities can have on a neighborhood. We are working toward creating an increased awareness of the impact that art and culture can have on the quality of life we enjoy in Saskatchewan.