The value of arts and culture to society often starts at an intrinsic value. The arts illuminate our lives and enrich our emotional world. This is what we cherish, and in trying times we are turning to the arts to entertain, to educate and to support and boost our mental health.
It is important to stay connected to the things that inspire, entertain, and bring joy. Our lives have changed so much over the past four plus months and studies show that sharing and participating in visual art activities, dance, theatre, literature, music, or any group cultural experience has a positive measurable impact, not only on our personal well-being, but also our connection to community through shared experiences.
We encourage you to take advantage of the summer weather and discover local treasures like our public art collection. St. Albert's collection is both engaging and surprising and because it can be found all over town it's accessibility provides the opportunity to experience and interact with art as part of your everyday life. We highly recommend taking our self-guided public art tour.
Performing Arts Classes update
With the City's recent decision to resume some arts programming offerings our Performing Arts team has been busy planning for the Fall. In addition to offering their regular compliment of classes, they have added puppetry classes for kids and a range of professional development classes for actors and dancers looking to hone their skills.
Performing Arts classes are offered for all ages and skill level and the Fall session will run mid-September to December. Classes will be presented in a blended approach and begin online with the option of evolving to in-person delivery in adherence with current Alberta Health physical-distancing protocols. This blended approach is fluid, which will allow us to respond to new provincial information as it is announced, but more importantly allow the participant to choose for themselves their in-person involvement.
This approach will also allow classes to run uninterrupted giving the participant a full class experience.
We are excited by this programming development and look forward to being able to share more departmental announcements next month! In the meantime, we are happy to stay virtually connected. Check out the full list of classes online at www.stalbert.ca/arts-classes.
Remember, the City is encouraging residents to connect and share experiences through our Community Mantra: #T8NTogether
If you are posting on your social media accounts we encourage you to use this hashtag so we can virtually connect and celebrate our community spirit with you!
*Top image is the mural Fear of Laughing by Grant Leier located at Servus Place
