When you’re operating one of the largest arts councils in Saskatchewan, you’re never not busy. If there’s not a school or senior program to facilitate, there’s a grant to award; if there’s not a lineup of concerts to schedule, there’s contracting and planning to do it.
“We have just finished planning our 2025/26 season,” says Helen Arnold, Administrator for the Swift Current Arts Council (SCAC), adding that she’s also excited for the several concerts remaining on the current season’s programme.
“We’re looking forward to our Christmas show on December 15, and then we have six more shows in the series after Christmas that we’re sure will please everyone,” she says.
Add in the other arts programming and education the SCAC facilitates and you get an impressively filled calendar – a good look for both the city and a local arts scene that, for the better part of 60 years, has gone from strength to strength.
“The Council is one of the longest-standing organizations in Swift Current,” Arnold explains. “It didn’t bring in concerts originally, but organized bus tours to events in Saskatoon or Regina, instead. Then it grew to holding a few concerts each year. Now, our Stars for Saskatchewan season has 10 concerts, and overall we do about 12 or 13 concerts annually.”
Earlier in the 2024/25 season, for example, the SCAC had George Canyon, The Wardens and Ryan McMahon in town. In the New Year, they’ll welcome Steven Lee Olsen with Jojo Mason, Prairie Sons, the Great Canadian Roadtrip featuring Jason McCoy, Jason Blaine and Chad Brownless, Susan Aglukark, Jack Semple’s Gordon Lightfoot Tribute, the Every Brilliant Thing theatre show, the magician Jeff Newman and, finally, Lisa Brokop’s Patsy Cline Project & Hank Lives.
Tickets for each can be purchased online.
To ensure travel and tour dates align, the events are booked well in advance. The SCAC and other Saskatchewan councils select their performers at an annual “showcase” put on by the overarching Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) in either Saskatoon or Regina, where they take in mini performances from the invited artists.
“From there, we choose the programming that we want to bring in for our Stars for Saskatchewan Series,” Arnold explains. “Our relationship with the OSAC is invaluable as they provide guidance and contracting for each of the arts councils.”
The Swift Current Arts Council also has a fruitful partnership with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority and the Living Sky Casino, which hosts many of the performers in its modern Event Centre.
“It’s a beautiful venue, and we feel very fortunate to be able to call the Event Centre our home,” says Arnold. “They’re always asking how many tickets were sold so they know how to staff their facility. They’ve been great partners to work with – outstanding, actually.”
At a more grassroots level, the OSAC provides $1,000 grants in support of the Art Gallery of Swift Current’s Southwest Open, which invites regional artists to submit and exhibit their work and receive mentorship. And $500 grants are offered to local schools that participate in SCAC-organized tours each spring and fall.
“We bring the performance to the school so all children can participate,” Arnold says. It’s all about ensuring art is accessible to demographics that might be underserved.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to target the youth and seniors in the community – people who can’t necessarily attend our concerts,” she says. “Whenever we’re choosing the artists who will perform in our Stars for Saskatchewan series, we ask if they will do community outreach as well.”
Arnold also points out that the SCAC relies on and is thankful for its technicians: Lauren Elias and Ken Friesen. The organization appreciates the work they do and enjoys working with them, she says.
Finally, she thanks the community for its support over nearly 60 years of arts programming.
“Our ticket sales have been booming,” she says. “We certainly appreciate the support of Swift Current and Southwest Saskatchewan.
The Swift Current Arts Council can be reached by calling: 306-773-1338. Additional information about the organization and its performers and programming can be found on its website, and tickets to concerts, dramas and other shows can be purchased online.