The Melfort Arts Council is kick starting fundraising efforts to bring back live performances. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Performing Arts

Melfort Arts Council raising funds to bring back live performances

Nov 23, 2021 | 12:33 PM

Bringing live performances back to the area is the focus for the Melfort Arts Council (M.A.C).

M.A.C is asking the community to support the performing arts through a 50/50 raffle.

Arts Council Chair Joanne Bolen told northeastNOW they chose the 50/50 route because it is one of the safest ways to currently fundraise.

“We decided to kickstart fundraising with the 50/50 this fall and we also aiming towards doing another one in the spring,” Bolen said.

Another large fundraiser is also in the works but will take some time to get it up and running. Smaller community fundraiser ideas such as paint nights are also possible but nothing is yet set in stone.

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The arts council wants to get back to having three to four live shows per year, but funds need to be in place prior to doing that.

“Three years ago, it was around the $20,000 mark to bring in three shows so I am thinking it will be over and above that to bring in live shows now,” Bolen said.

M.A.C went through a rebuild over the last year and a half and have been able to bring in several visual arts shows to the Sherven-Smith Art Gallery in the Kerry Vickar Centre. The current show will be taken down next week and replaced with a new one.

The visual arts side of the council is also working on bringing back workshops as well.

The link to the 50/50 raffle tickets can be found on the Melfort Arts Council website. Tickets are $10 each, five tickets for $20 or 25 tickets for $50.

“It can get up to a maximum of 50 per cent of sales so that would be a maximum prize of $50,000 and I would be over the moon if we got to that point,” Bolen said. “It would be enough for us to plan probably four performances for next year.”

A minimum of $30,000 needs to be raised before booking of any shows can happen.

Draw date for the raffle will be Jan. 1, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.

An artist directory has also been created by the arts council to highlight all artists in the northeast.

“This area has a huge amount of artists, performers and musicians and a lot of people don’t know that and we want this directory to be a one stop shop for people to get in touch with artists,” Bolen said. “At the same time, artists can network with each other.”

Artists can submit their information on the MAC website to be added to the directory.

Another ‘directory’ is being created to showcase cultural arts events in the area. The hope is to have the events directory ready by the holidays.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser