Saskatoon to host 2019 Creative City Summit from October 1 to 3

September 26, 2019

Next week, Saskatoon will host the 2019 Creative City Summit (Summit). From October 1 to 3, municipalities, arts organizations and government agencies will meet in Saskatoon to share ideas, connect and work together to build vital infrastructure for arts and cultural development in Canada.

The Summit is the annual gathering of the Creative City Network of Canada (CCNC), an organization of municipal staff, organizations and individuals working in communities across Canada on arts, cultural and heritage policy, planning, development and support. The CCNC exists to connect and educate the people who do this work so they can be more effective in cultural development in their communities.

“The Creative City Network of Canada has named Saskatoon this year’s ‘Creative City.’ The Summit we will be gathering on First Nation Traditional Land of Treaty 6 and the Homeland of the Métis, and we look forward to learning more about the Indigenous culture of the region,” says Kelly Jerrott, President, Creative City Network of Canada. “Cultural colleagues from across Canada will be sharing, learning and celebrating the significant role culture has in creating vibrant and healthy communities.”

2019 is the first time the Summit will be hosted in Saskatoon. Hosting a Summit puts the host municipality in the spotlight and raises the profile of the community across Canada by encouraging people to visit and experience the community’s cultural resources. The Summit can also strengthen the support for culture within the community and highlight local achievements.

“The theme of this year’s Summit, ‘Growing the Creative Cultural Economy for 21st Century Cities,’ is intended to challenge delegates to view cultural assets and resources as powerful municipal economic drivers,” says Kevin Kitchen, the City’s Community Development Manager. “We look forward to learning from other cities and from creative industries on how we can further develop our own creative cultural economy in Saskatoon.”

For more information on the Summit, visit saskatoon.ca/artsandculture and creativecity.ca.

NT5