Culture 365: Enjoying cultural experiences year-round

Highlighting cultural activities all year-round is a great way to keep people engaged. Culture 365, a nation-wide initiative linked to Culture Days, was launched in Yorkton to increase the engagement of residents in the cultural life of its community. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate Culture Days all year long?

Culture 365 was identified nationally as a means to keep Culture Days going throughout the year. Culture Days, held annually, encourages people to engage in free, interactive cultural activities held in communities across the country. In 2023, Culture Days in Saskatchewan, coordinated by SaskCulture, connected over 45,000 people to 295 cultural experiences in 45 communities scattered throughout the province, over a period of three weeks. Some communities, such as Yorkton, adopted Culture 365 to keep the celebration going.

“The question came up, ‘Why don’t we do this all year? Why does it have to be just those three weeks between September and October?’” says Lisa Washington, manager, community culture and heritage, City of Yorkton. “We also want to send the message that cultural activities and their benefits are available year round and encourage people to support the artists and creators in their communities.” The initiative evolved from conversations with community artists and creators involved in Culture Days.

The first Culture 365 event, Jamaican Cooking Class, held January 24, 2024 was hosted by 306 Nyammings, engaged community members in the tradition of authentic Jamaican cuisine. Taynika Walker, one of the company’s founders and class facilitator, taught participants how to make fried green plantain, known as Tostones, served with corned beef and sweet corn. Washington says the class was well received by participants, “opening people’s awareness and taste buds with different cooking styles.” She says that exploring traditional cooking techniques helps others, “see things from a different point of view and it's a great way to learn about other cultures.”

In addition, Angelina Kardynal facilitated a needle-felting class in February 2024 and plans are underway for a macro-photography class facilitated by Shannon Erickson, as well as a henna painting class. So far, the activities have been popular. Washington says, “The cooking and needle-felting classes had 20 participants each, and the seats sold out quickly.”

She says there are plans to organize online arts or culture activities for people who cannot attend the classes in person.

SaskCulture continues to lead Culture Days Saskatchewan each year. It offers Culture Days Hub Sponsorships that support communities such as Yorkton. Washington appreciates SaskCulture’s support of Culture Days in Saskatchewan. She encourages communities to delve deeper into cultural activity that exists in the community, as well as the individuals involved. “There are artists who can teach about their own cultures—think of Culture Days as a celebration of who is in your community, not what is in your community.”