As the City of Yellowknife asks residents to weigh in on a community arts strategy, Yellownkifer asked local creatives for their wishlists.

SA国际影视传媒淚f there is room and capacity in terms of space and funding to build an all-new recreation facility, ISA国际影视传媒檓 sure we can create that same dynamic to create a space for a more tailored arts inclusive building,SA国际影视传媒� said Jamie Wetrade-Stevenson, a T艂谋台ch谦 artist.

SA国际影视传媒淢y concern is that we, as a city, really donSA国际影视传媒檛 seem to have a true art gallery,SA国际影视传媒� said Natalie Makletzoff of the Natalie Makletzoff Art Studio.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think that itSA国际影视传媒檚 important that there be some kind of a commitment from the city, certainly to support the arts to, at least, the same extent as sports, and they have not done that,SA国际影视传媒� said Robert Wilson, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 been a Northwest Territories-based photographer for three decades.

According to the city, the master plan, announced on Feb. 17, is meant to SA国际影视传媒榠dentify priorities, provide direction, and anticipate challenges aheadSA国际影视传媒� for the arts and culture scene in the City.

Among the comments received by the Yellowknifer, the main area of focus for many is the need for an actual arts facility in the City.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou just have to look around and thereSA国际影视传媒檚 empty space everywhere,SA国际影视传媒� said Wilson. SA国际影视传媒淎ll of the malls have space. So you would not necessarily have to build something, it could just be a rented kind of a situation, and would help to revitalize the downtown.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 really think a space that artists can utilize to put on shows, because a lot of artists were doing them out of their home, or you rent out a space,SA国际影视传媒� said Alida Ryan, a newer artist in the territory. SA国际影视传媒淪o to have a city area with gallery walls that you could just rotate artists would be super beneficial.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淎s an Indigenous artist in the north, I consider it to be important to be inclusive to everyone,SA国际影视传媒� Wetrade-Stevenson said. SA国际影视传媒淚 think some of the most important factors are to create a safe space for everyone to feel as if they can belong to an arts community which the north is 100 per cent lacking right now.SA国际影视传媒�

Creating more opportunities for arts-based education should be a key component

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 see a central location for arts education (or) inexpensive studio spaces for artists to be able to create art,SA国际影视传媒� said Makletzoff. SA国际影视传媒淚n order for the Arts to become truly viable we need to hold education workshops, perhaps utilizing gifted artists in the community to offer mini courses.SA国际影视传媒�

Specifically for Wetrade-Stevenson, her issues went beyond what she wanted from the plan as she had grievances with the survey itself.

SA国际影视传媒淎s someone who is from a smaller community, especially if it has to be involved with traditional and cultural practices, out of respect, itSA国际影视传媒檚 important to include opinions of everyone, but especially our elders who have been practicing the arts in their everyday lives before there was any support,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淗ow do we make sure that they are feeling supported in their practices and everyone included?SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淨uestions and answers were way too word-heavy, which can be extremely difficult for most people to answer and therefore will end up in less survey engagement,SA国际影视传媒� she continued. SA国际影视传媒淭here are too many steps to even access it, and then to even take the survey you need to sign up for an accountSA国际影视传媒�SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲hy do I have to sign up to access the survey? And it doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 give me the option to bypass the login or at the very least, a guest option.SA国际影视传媒�

The deadline for submissions to the Arts and Culture Master Plan survey is March 7.