As it always seems to happen, summer has flown by and given way to another Fall. Around the office that means, Audit time, the September Regional and Board Meeting and of course getting closer to Showcase, which becomes nearly all encompassing this time of year. The Board was thrilled to visit Swift Current for the Regional Meeting and spend a Saturday afternoon with some of the membership from the Swift Current Allied Arts Council, and the Leader and District Arts Council. There was some great discussion and ideas shared.
As you will see below, OSAC is hiring a Communication and Administrative Assistant. The reason is that Tenille Bryan has accepted another position. Tenille has been responsible for nearly all of the print and Social Media content that OSAC has produced over the past 16 months, and that has all been of a very high quality. Tenille will be missed, but the good news is that she will be coming to Showcase to help us out, so you can say goodbye in person when we are in Saskatoon.
OSAC MembersThe OSAC Board of Directors and Staff would like to invite you to the OSAC Annual General Meeting on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown, Michelangelo B&C| 8:15am. Departing Board Members:
Syndel Thomas Kozar – Melfort Arts Council is retiring at the end of her first term as she is entering a Master's Program at the U of S, while still having a young family at home, as well as other professional and volunteer commitments. Treena Redman – Leader & District Arts Council – has reached the end of her Board eligibility after 16 years as Marc Holt assumes the role of Past Chair. The Slate of Candidates
OSAC Board Chair:
Natasha Hill – Weyburn Arts Council - first 2 Year Term - READ BIO Returning Directors:
Caron Dubnick – La Ronge Arts Council – Entering their third and final 2-year term - READ BIO
Robyn Lang – Melville Arts Council – Entering their third and final 2-year term - READ BIO
Nicole Theissen – Station Arts Centre Cooperative – Entering their second 2-year term - READ BIO
New Directors:
Shannon Erickson – Yorkton Arts Council - Entering their first 2-year term - READ BIO
OSAC is creating a one-year, nonvoting position on the Board of Directors, SPARK /Inspire / Youth Representative. While this position is a one-year test, OSAC is open to inviting other Spark or Inspire mentees in future years. Logan Duchscherer – Leader & District Arts Council - Youth Representative, one year term - READ BIO Arts Council 2026/2027 Membership invoices – these are now due! Kindly submit payment to keep your status current with OSAC. OSAC is seeking a motivated and creative individual to join our team as a Communications & Administrative Assistant. This position will play a vital role in enhancing OSAC's communications, social media presence, and providing administrative support for our programs and initiatives.
The ideal candidate will be highly organized with a passion for the arts, excellent communication skills, expertise in social media, and proficiency in administrative software. Job Description HERE |
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| Showcase 2026 | | | SHOWCASE 2026 - October 16-18 | Saskatoon
OSAC is excited to bring Showcase 2026 to Saskatoon. Get ready for three vibrant days filled with incredible performing artists, eye-catching visual art exhibitions, and lots of chances to connect with artists, agents, arts council members, and arts professionals from across the community. REGISTER HERE
Prices will increase by $50 as of October 1st and registration will close on Sunday, October 11 at 11:59pm.
HOST HOTEL Showcase 2026 is pleased to partner with Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown as our host hotel. Please note that the booking deadline has now ended, however, if there is availability the hotel may honour the conference rate that was previously offered.
Call 306.665.3322 - Code is OSAC 2026 SHOWCASE WORKSHOPS The theme of this year’s workshops is SOCIAL MEDIA - we will be offering two sessions during the Showcase weekend. If you attend the session on Friday, you have a chance to win a 1-hour complementary one-on-one session with Beverley for your arts council. So, make sure to come on Friday. Workshop #1: "Strategy First: Building a High-Impact Social Media Foundation"
Time: 2pm-4pm SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Workshop #2: "From Likes to Results: Tactics for Content & Growth"
Time: 2pm-4pm
Facilitator: BEVERLEY THERESA, Social Media Strategist & Consultant, Throwdown Social Media Location: Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown, Michelangelo A
Workshop #1 - Many organizations "just post" and hope for the best, but success on social media isn't built on guesswork. This session is designed to move you away from random acts of posting and toward a purpose-driven strategy. Beverley will strip back the noise to focus on the essential pillars that drive reach, engagement, and event attendance. Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to refine your presence, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap of how social media fits into your broader goals and the "non-negotiable" strategies and tactics for today’s social media platforms.
Workshop #2 - Building on the fundamentals, this session will focus on actionable tactics and strategies. Attendees will learn the tools and workflows that make consistency on social media look easy. Beverley will show you how to audit your current performance, translate goals into a working content calendar, and turn your planned posts into engaging content ready for publishing, including best practices for short videos, carousels, graphics, and storytelling. Learn how to bridge the gap between having a strategy and having a presence that resonates with your ideal audience and meets your goals. BEVERLEY THERESA is the owner of Throwdown Social Media and helps businesses win at social media marketing through consulting, online learning, and professional training. With more than ten years of hands-on industry experience, she’s worked with clients such as Rogers Communications and the United Nations Association. STRIKE A POSE
Grab a few props, strike your best pose, and snap some unforgettable photos. You will find the photo area on the 2nd Floor Mezzanine of the Delta Hotel. Post your photos on the OSAC Facebook or Instagram Pages, Tag OSAC – Use #OSAC 26 and you can enter to WIN a FREE registration to Showcase 2027 in Regina! YOUTH BURSARY
OSAC is offering a Youth Bursary for Arts Councils to bring youth attendees to Showcase. (“Youth” is defined as 29 years of age in the year 2026 or younger.) Arts councils are ELIGIBLE to register a youth that is a member of their arts council and/or “Spark or Inspire” Coordinator to receive 50% of the $220 registration fee back.
The registration fee includes all conference activities and meals. It does not include the cost of accommodation or travel. The bursary application is available here. PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTISTS Saturday, October 17 - 11:30pm - 1am
Performers: Heidi Munro & Scott Patrick
Location: Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown, Da Vinci The Munro & Patrick Band emerges from the core of the Canadian prairies, with an awarded and collective musical history spanning decades. Fronted by Heidi Munro & Scott Patrick, this elite lineup of incredible musicians seamlessly fuses blues/rock, folk, soul, R&B and a hint of jazz into an electric musical experience, carving them out a unique niche in the Canadian music scene. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS |
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| Visual Arts | Invisible Winds Reception in North Battleford
The Chapel Gallery in North Battleford hosted a reception for the touring OSAC exhibition Invisible Winds on Thursday, September 10. Curator Dean Bauche and several participating artists were in attendance, offering guests an opportunity to connect with the exhibition and those involved in its creation. The reception drew an exceptional turnout from the community. The event was generously sponsored by the Rob and Nora Rongve Family Fund. | |
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Fall 2026 Tours
The 2026/2027 Season has begun! The season is in full swing with the first tour “Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life!” starting last week. Early reports are this show and tour are both outstanding! | |
Showcase Performers Announced! The performing artists selected to Showcase this year have been announced. |
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Spark - Recruiting for 2027/2028
Spark is OSAC’s Youth Mentorship Program and now is the time for Arts Councils to be Finding a Spark Coordinator for next season. It is ideal that they attend Showcase 2026 (youth bursary available) and have a say in selecting the artist that they present with the Arts Council. OSAC will cover $500 up to $1000 of the artist fee. "I'm so thankful that we've had the opportunity to work with [the Spark coordinator] for so long. It is going to be hard to find new Spark members to fill her shoes. However, we are lucky enough to keep her on our council as an adult!!! I gained leadership skills and realized the importance of sharing responsibilities. I also gained from brainstorming and gained from incorporating ideas that I wouldn't have thought of on my own. I am most proud of having 'raised' a youth who will now take over the leadership of the group and ensure its success for years to come." - Indian Head Theatre and Community Arts Inc |
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| Performing Arts in Schools |
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Fall 2026 Tours
Daniel Tamagi: TheFloWarrior is bringing his martial artistry show “How To Unlock Your Superpowers” to grades K-12 in 21 schools across the province September 21-October 8. “Daniel’s ability to weave performing arts, physics and social emotional learning all in one captivating presentation was impressive. The incorporation of message, movement and music was mesmerizing and thought provoking for the entire audience!” - Cultus Lake Community School, BC Axis Theatre will be presenting Where Have All the Buffalo Gone to grades 4-12 audiences October 15-November 3, in a total of 18 schools. “My class absolutely loved the show - the story, acting, puppet, lighting and set have all been talked about in our debriefs! They enjoyed all of the magic you created. Thank you as well for the Q&A at the end. Very enriching for our young audience.” - Norma Rose Point Elementary, Vancouver, BC |
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Booking for Spring 2027
Three shows will be touring schools this Spring. Information brochures and booking forms have been sent to schools and Arts Councils. The deadline to book is November 20, 2026. Grades 8-12 | Touring March 8-28, 2027 Award-winning playwright Rachel Aberle writes powerful shows that sell out and strike a chord with teen audiences. Designed to spark frank conversation about healthy relationships and boundaries, Caged is a compelling and compassionate exploration of friendship, abuse prevention, and self-worth. Grades K-12 | Touring April 18-30, 2027 | Available in English, French, and bilingual 3x JUNO Award nominees and Billboard charting artists Sultans of String take you on a thrilling musical journey around the world! Chris McKhool (violin) and Kevin Laliberté (guitar) present a sonic tapestry of world music that explores styles, rhythms, and melodies from around the globe. Grades K-12 audiences | Touring May 3-14, 2027 Amanda gets students excited about trying new things, embracing who they are, and shining their unique light in the world. A performance to inspire passion, play and perseverance while showcasing a variety of creative athletic feats involving hula hoops, juggling, spinning plates and humor. |
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Resources, Events, Opportunities |
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| | Contact us: Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils1102 8th Ave Regina, Sk S4R 1C9
Ph: (306) 586-1250 Fax: (306) 586-1550
Email: info@osac.ca Web: www.osac.ca
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