SteinbachOnline.com: Steinbach Arts Council reports record year as demand continues to grow

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The Steinbach Arts Council board gathered at Smitty’s in Steinbach on Wednesday to host their annual general meeting.

The Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) is looking to build on a record year as participation continues to grow.

Celebrating community

SAC held its annual general meeting at Smitty’s in Steinbach on Wednesday, where board members and staff reflected on the 2025-26 year and looked ahead to the organization’s plans for the coming year.

Board chair Taylor Brandt said the organization’s current facility is increasingly stretched.

"We’re bursting at the seams over at the Steinbach Arts Council," Brandt said.

She said SAC wants to continue creating opportunities for people to connect through the arts, both in Steinbach and surrounding communities.

"We are dedicated to create a community where creativity is celebrated and where everyone has the opportunity to experience the power of the arts and have a sense of belonging."

A record year

Executive director David Klassen described 2025-26 as a record year for the organization.

Programming registrations exceeded 2,000, with Klassen estimating participation was around 2,300 for the year.

He said the growth was reflected in increased programming, concerts and performances, art sales, fundraising, grants, partnerships and support from sponsors and donors.

"Our community continues to show up," Klassen said.

"They register, they attend, they volunteer, they donate, they sponsor, they partner with us, and they continue to tell us that arts and culture matter in this region."

SAC’s instructional programming remained strong across a variety of disciplines, while its concert series and community productions continued to attract audiences.

The organization also expanded opportunities for artists through its galleries and buy, lease and print program.

Its partnership with the Southeastern Manitoba Festival continued to provide music and performance opportunities for young people across the region.

Expanding programming

Klassen said SAC also continued developing culture and heritage programming, strengthening relationships with Indigenous organizations and cultural groups, and preparing for an expansion of therapeutic arts programming.

As SAC prepares to expand therapeutic arts programming, the organization says it will begin with music therapy in partnership with the Hanover School Division.

Music therapy is expected to begin in early October at seven schools in the division, reaching significantly more students than SAC’s previous programming.

The organization is also planning to introduce visual arts therapy, with a target of January 2027.

Klassen said SAC is working with trained professionals to ensure the programs are delivered appropriately and to a high standard.

"We’re working very hard to take guidance from those who are trained in the area, not overstep and believe that we can do something that we’re not qualified to do, but bringing the professionals into the environment who can actually execute some of those programs," he said.

That work is expected to allow SAC to reach additional participants and community partners in the coming year.

Increased revenue

The organization’s financial statements also showed growth, with auditor Brian Derksen noting revenue increased by just under $200,000 from the previous year.

Derksen said SAC’s cash position also increased during the year, while the organization continued investing in programming and other expenses associated with its growth.

Despite the positive financial results, Klassen said the organization’s growth comes with additional responsibilities, particularly when it comes to space.

"Our facility continues to operate at a very high level of use, and space remains one of the most significant challenges faced by our organization," he said.

"We will continue to maximize while participating in important conversations about the facilities and resources of our community and those that we will need in the future."

Member of the Year

The AGM also included the presentation of SAC’s 2026 Member of the Year award to Ray Chapman.

Klassen highlighted Ray’s volunteer contributions, creativity and commitment to the community, including his work creating a miniature Volkswagen van for SAC’s Pioneer Days Parade entry.

Klassen said Ray’s involvement reflects SAC’s focus on creating community and ensuring people feel included and valued.

Chapman, who spoke about his lifelong appreciation for the arts, said his first experiences with the arts included reading as a child and later attending ballet and opera performances while attending the University of Saskatchewan.

Looking ahead

As SAC looks ahead, board member Geoff Dilts said the organization has established a strong reputation in Steinbach, across the region and beyond, but there is still work to do.

"As our community continues to grow, so does the opportunity for SAC to grow with it, to reach more people, build new partnerships, expand our programs and facilities, and continue finding new ways to create connection through arts and culture," he said.

SAC’s board and staff said they intend to build on the momentum of the past year while continuing to focus on the organization’s mission of creating community through arts and culture.

"If you’ve been here, if you grew up here, there’s really a home for you. Anybody who wants to experience arts and culture. We’re just going to open the door," said Brandt.

Photo: SteinbachOnline.com