We are a collective of local arts groups and businesses that define the Old Strathcona neighbourhood as a cultural hub and tourism destination in Edmonton.We formed as a result of our shared concerns around possible threats to our heritage in this neighborhood, though soon realized our organization also represents an immense opportunity to strengthen the at-large creative community and accelerate our flourishing in this area overall.
Our
Mission
We hope to reinforce and perpetuate Edmonton's reputation as a culturally vibrant city. Learn more about how we intend to make this happen:
Get Involved
Help us ensure Old Strathcona remains one of the city's most exciting neighborhoods, now and into the future!
Reach
Out
We're eager to provide further details on our vision for maintaining the cultural vitality of Old Strathcona. We look forward to
your feedback!
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Made in Treaty 6 Territory
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The Strathcona Performing Arts Association (SPAA) is comprised of local arts groups, cultural organizations, and businesses that define the Old Strathcona neighbourhood as a cultural hub and tourism destination in Edmonton.
1
To foster a spirit of friendliness, fellowship, and cooperation among Strathcona performing arts and cultural organizations.
2
To provide a common meeting ground for exchanging ideas, methods, and issues relevant to performing arts and cultural organizations in Old Strathcona.
3
To provide encouragement, support, and mentorship for performing arts and cultural organizations in Strathcona.
4
To recognize and emphasize the basic and lasting value of the performing arts, including music, theatre, and dance.
5
To develop comprehensive programs that will be of cultural and educational benefit to the Strathcona community.
6
To work with civic, provincial, and federal administrators to recognize, support, and encourage performing arts in the Strathcona community.
7
To cooperate with performing arts organizations beyond the Strathcona area whose demonstrated purpose is to advocate for and promote music, theatre, and dance as a worthwhile medium of cultural expression.
8
To encourage a genuine spirit of professional ethics and maintain a highly professional attitude in all meetings and functions in keeping with the prestige and importance of the organization.
SPAA's membership includes several respected institutions and landmark businesses in the Old Strathcona neighbourhood. Our member organizations are listed below- Click the logos to learn more about our members!
Keep Reading:
We feel arts and culture non-profits deserve representation in civic and provincial discussions.
Arts and culture non-profits deserve representation in civic and provincial discussions. SPAA champions the voices of local arts and culture organizations, artists, and patrons in Old Strathcona, ensuring their needs are heard and addressed.
In doing so, we uphold our shared commitment to promoting the performing arts and fostering a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape in Old Strathcona.
Right Now:
SPAA is currently engaged in advocacy work surrounding the City of Edmonton’s Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS). The proposed changes pose an existential threat to performing arts and cultural organizations in the neighbourhood, impacting patron accessibility and participation.
The removal of parking spots and closure of 83rd Avenue will create barriers to access for seniors and people with disabilities. These actions will deter patrons from attending events, ultimately affecting the vibrancy and economic health of the area, which is still recovering from pandemic losses.
We are specifically
advocating for:
in the City’s planning process to allow for more consultation with local arts and culture groups affected by the proposed changes;
to study the financial impact and traffic ramifications for local businesses and arts/culture non-profits; and
at the table for arts and heritage leaders in civic planning and implementation.
Read our full executive summary here:
We encourage you to contact your local City Councillor, the Mayor, and the OSPRS project team to let them know what you think about the Public Realm Strategy and it’s potential impact on arts venues in Old Strathcona.
Key Contacts:
| Edmonton City Council | ||
| Councillor Michael Janz | Ward papstew (Chair) | michael.janz@edmonton.ca |
| Councillor Jo-Anne Wright | Ward Sspomitapi (Vice-Chair) | jo-anne.wright@edmonton.ca |
| Councillor Andrew Knack | Ward Nakota Isga | andrew.knack@edmonton.ca |
| Councillor Jennifer Rice | Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi | jennifer.rice@edmonton.ca |
| Mayor Amarjeet Sohi | Contact the mayor |
Don’t know what to say? We've produced a sample letter that articulates our primary concerns. Feel free to copy and paste, and personalize it to make it your own.
Keep Reading:
Our membership consists of some of the neighborhood's finest institutions.
Please use our contact form, or feel free to reach out directly to any of our member organizations.
We are happy to provide more information on how we intend to keep Old Strathcona a culturally vibrant neighborhood. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Dear [Recipient's Name],I am writing to express my concern regarding the proposed changes outlined in the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS). As a citizen and an avid arts patron, I believe it is crucial to ensure that the voices of local arts organizations and businesses are heard and considered in the planning process.I urge you to advocate for a pause in the project team's forward momentum, which has caused significant apprehension among local arts organizations. There are major concerns about the drastic reduction of surface parking in the neighbourhood, which will greatly affect accessibility for arts patrons, especially disabled people and seniors. It is essential to recognize the economic benefit that arts groups bring to Old Strathcona, drawing tens of thousands of patrons annually. Removing large amounts of parking will discourage patrons from visiting, negatively impacting arts venues and depriving them of much-needed ticket revenue that has not yet recovered from pandemic losses. Additionally, local businesses will suffer from declining arts attendance, as they rely heavily on the foot traffic generated by local arts events.It is imperative that the city implements a holistic plan that takes into account all perspectives, including objections from various stakeholders. This should include conducting a comprehensive business impact study to assess the potential ramifications of the proposed changes on local businesses and arts organizations. I wholeheartedly endorse the involvement of the Strathcona Performing Arts Association (SPAA) in this process. SPAA’s participation in the OSPRS process will ensure the needs of the arts and entertainment community are recognized and integrated.City administration should explore ways to transform the current Old Strathcona Farmer's Market parking lot into a mixed-use space that preserves parking for local venues and businesses. Retaining some parking, whether as a surface lot or a parkade, is essential to ensure these patrons can continue to enjoy Old Strathcona. Additionally, the City should reconsider the proposed permanent closure of 83rd Avenue between Gateway and 104 Street, which will limit accessible parking for disabled theatre patrons and seniors and add further complexity for drivers navigating a busy delivery corridor.Collaboration and open dialogue are essential in developing a plan that benefits all stakeholders. Please consider the concerns, questions, and suggestions raised by the local businesses and arts organizations and refer the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy back to the City Administration for further research and development.
Thank you for considering my perspective on this matter. I look forward to seeing positive outcomes that support the vibrant arts community in Old Strathcona.Sincerely,[Your Name]