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ArtsNews FacebookXLinkedinCopy URL Uko Akpanuko/Daily Herald Mann Arts Gallery Interim Artistic Director, Jesse Campbell, with some of the Art works currently on display at the 50th Annual Winter Festival Art Show & Sale at the Mann Art Gallery, Prince Albert Local artists have called for more government support for the province’s arts scene after reviewing the results from an Insightrix survey that showed 86 per cent of urban, rural, and northern residents support maintaining or increasing funding.The Saskatchewan Arts Alliance released the findings on Wednesday. Members of the Prince Albert arts community were happy to see such a strong base of support.“I was really pleased with the results of that survey,” Mann Arts Gallery Interim Artistic Director Jesse Campbell said. “It shows a strong majority who believe that arts are important for quality of life for learning, for contribution to the economy and of course to contribute to our sense of identity.“Another really positive finding from that survey was that most people believe that the support for the arts should be increased from all levels of the Government.”Of those surveyed, 54 per cent strongly supported increased government funding for the arts, while 86 per cent said arts and culture are important for children and youth.Campbell said that tracks with what she’s seeing in Prince Albert.“We absolutely see that here at the Gallery,” she said. “Our attendance at education programs and exhibitions shows that the general number of people that come in here have increased significantly in the last year. I was so pleased to see that a broad spectrum of people believe in the importance of arts.”Although the art organizations do get some form of funding and support from the government, provincial arts organizations say the support or funding has remain consistently at the same level while the expenses of the Art organizations are increasing.“We hear every day that arts and culture matter to people in this province,” said Em Ironstar, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance. “This survey backs that up. Saskatchewan residents want the arts to be supported – and they want to see that support maintained or increased.”Aside from funding, Campbell said there are other ways the government can support the arts. Something as simple as an official visit can make a big difference.“There is a lot of power in coming out to our gallery on a visit, after lunch on a Saturday afternoon or attending our events,” she said. “We have a lot of different programs and events, most of which are free or subsidized, so it really means a lot when government officials come out here and our community can see that they understand the importance of the arts.”Campbell said the message is the same for local residents. If they bring friends or family members to local arts events, or encourage them to visit or attend, it can make a big difference.The Mann Art Gallery offers free entry that means residents can walk into the Gallery once its open for business.“We, here, prioritize access (and) that means we don’t charge a fee to get into the gallery,” Campbell saidShe was quick to point out that everybody’s perspective must be addressed as there are some galleries that have a reputation of being elitist or give the impression that its open only to some people of a certain class. She said the Mann Art Gallery makes conscious effort to address any preconception or misconception as it relates to the accessibility of arts to everybody.“We create a warm and welcoming atmosphere by having events where artist come to talk about their works and people are free to ask them questions,” she explained. “For folks who want to learn more we have physical events at the Gallery and also on line via our social media channels that offer insights into the background of the works.”The Mann Art Gallery is open from Thursdays to Saturdays for the general public to come in and visit. Currently the 50th Annual Winter Festival Arts show and Sale is running with about 50 award winning art works are on display and open to everyone.“We have an incredible community with such a strong history in the visual arts and we are grateful for all the supports all the visits and turnout in our programs and events,” Campbell said.The provincial government provided $6.8 million in funding for the Saskatchewan Arts in their 2025-26 budget. That’s slightly up from the $6.775 million they provided the year before. The 2026-27 provincial budget will be tabled on March 18. -Advertisement-