SPECIAL INITIATIVE ARCHIVE

Give Peace A Chance

In partnership with the Interdisciplinary Society of Global Artists, Saskatoon Open Door Society, and CARFAC Sask, Common Weal supported artists Elham Zarafremili and Sourian Daneshmanesh in facilitating workshops with newcomer parents and children in creating a large Peace Bird which was exhibited at the Saskatchewan Children’s Festival from June 6-9, 2024.

Worm Burner Charity Golf Tournament

In the fall of 2022, we launched our inaugural Worm Burner to revitalize the connection we have with our communities by reintroducing fun, interactive events post pandemic. Participants in their best (or worst!) golf attire competed in a low-stakes tournament, followed by a lively award ceremony. Worm Burner has since become one of our most iconic annual fundraiser events—“the anti-golf/pro-charity event of the year.”

PA Artist In Community Mentorship
Throughout 2021 and 2023, we partnered with the City of Prince Albert helping develop a comprehensive Artist in Communities Mentorship Program, which was developed to meet the need for more community-engaged art programming, as reflected in research and consultation by local curator Jesse Campbell. The program has proven to be effective at nurturing a diverse arts ecosystem in the city and, where socially-engaged art practices started to take root.

Goodnight (Harvest) Moon
In September 2018, our long-time friend and project artist Kris Alvarez offered Goodnight (Harvest) Moon at the Heritage Harvest Moon Festival as an extension to her program work within the Heritage neighbourhood. Regina residents of all ages joined us at Beak’s Chicken for a dreamy evening of storytelling that captured hearts and imaginations, closing the festival on a dreamy note and enjoying homemade cookies and milk. Kris continued her workshop series in the following spring of 2019 that focus on collaborative creation.

Performing Turtle Island
Spearheaded by Dr. Kathleen Irwin of the University of Regina and Dr. Jesse Archibald-Barber of First Nations University of Canada and supported by more than 30 partner organizations, Performing Turtle Island brought together established and emerging scholars and artists in the form of a national symposium on how Indigenous theatre and performance are connected to Indigenous identity and community health. Common Weal was pleased to present a keynote address from nationally and internationally acclaimed interdisciplinary artist of Cree and Saulteaux heritage, Margo Kane. Her work is socially empowering and has emerged from physically-based exploration of story using techniques that cross cultural and creative boundaries.

Sweepers Cup Curling Funspiel

Throughout the springs of 2022 and 2024, we have been hosting our annual Sweepers Cup Curling Funspiel at Regina’s historic Callie Curling Club. This event welcomed participants from all backgrounds—whether first-time curlers or experienced players. Spectators enjoyed the on-ice entertainment and an evening performance by The Dog River Band, all in support of our arts programming.

Fostering Abundance in the Music Sector

Community Arts Mentorship Program (CAMP SASK) is a nonprofit dedicated to providing music education in remote communities across the province with a special focus on serving Northern residents. We’ve been supporting CAMP SASK as an advisory partner since 2020. In October 2022, we were pleased to offer guidance on their charitable status application, private fund development, and donor stewardship plans.

Theatre in the Park
In July 2019, we partnered with Saskatoon’s SUM Theatre to bring Theatre in the Park to Regina for the first time for one outstanding performance of The Young Ones which brought out over 100 community members. Since then, we have been supporting a southern Saskatchewan tour of Theatre in the Park every year since 2021. The proud, ongoing partnership between Common Weal and SUM Theatre created a unique blend of art and community engagement, leaving an enduring impact on communities each summer.

Improv for (Re)conciliation
IIn June 2018, we hosted an improv workshop led by Montreal-based consultant Lacy Alana. Lacy shared her improv-based curriculum, which aims to strengthen communication and connection by teaching participants how to be active listeners, express themselves clearly, and support genuine collaboration. Participants played games that investigated concepts such as status, the sharing of space, bias, and empathy. The experiential workshop and surrounding dialogue is a first step towards future program development aimed at supporting community building and bridging.

Neighbourland
Originally created by former Southern Artistic Director Gerry Ruecker in 2013, Neighbourland has been presented at several local events over the years including the Regina Cathedral Village Arts Festival and the North Central Community Culture Days and is made up of participatory projects that invite people to see their communities differently. Responses ranged from the fantastic, such as a waterslide transit system, imported butterflies, and community superheros—to the serious, such as a strategy to address the rates of missing and murdered indigenous women, commitment to combating racism, and more affordable housing. An overwhelming majority of participants wished for safe bike lanes, and local businesses and initiatives like coffee shops, community gardens, bookstores, youth programs, shared feasts, and music festivals.

Sing Your Heart Out, and We Did!

On May 12, 2023, at The Hampton Hub, Regina, Common Weal co-hosted the first ever Sing Your Heart Out Karaoke Fundraiser with the wonderful folks at Neutral Ground Artist-Run Centre. This event was a veritable feat of melody and performance, a têtê-à-têtê that showcased magnificent talent from our respective supporters and raised over $860 for our organizations.

Truth Art (Re)conciliation Exhibition

In July 2022, presented in partnership with PAVED Arts. Truth Art (Re)conciliation was a group exhibition in Saskatoon led by Holly Rae Yuzicapi, Eliza Doyle, and Marjorie Beaucage. Each artist participant created a digital work in response to one of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action. Together, we explored unique ways how art can be used as a tool to address the 94 Calls to Action put forth by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Artful Isolation
Created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Artful Isolation launched in April 2020 as a four-week online initiative meant to cultivate a sense of community and creativity during unprecedented times. After an overwhelmingly positive response to these initial activities, we were able to extend the project to 20 weeks thanks to a partnership with Regina’s Heritage Community Association. You can access all of the activities here.

Four Lands of Regina
In November 2017, we brought together diverse community members for Four Lands of Regina—a Jumblies Theatre touring project hosted by partners across Canada. It aims to bring communities together for an exploration of relationships to place. Participants were assisted in bringing to life their own “lands” through drawings, miniature models, text, music, conversation, and performance. Four Lands of Regina included additional activities including artist talks, community group visits, and final presentation and celebration.

Focus on Home
Focus on Home explored the stories of seven Regina residents, offering powerful insight into a world many never see. This participatory photojournalism and writing project engaged individuals experiencing serious challenges related to affordable housing and homelessness. Safe, affordable housing is a basic need; an essential part of the framework that is necessary for a stable and healthy lifestyle. Participants generously shared their circumstances in photos and written narratives, under the guidance of project artists. Their work was later curated into an exhibition shown at the Regina Public Library Central Branch with additional exhibitions at St. Mary’s Anglican Church and YWCA’s Coldest Night of the Year event.