The Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance is now accepting registrations from artists and venues that would like to participate in the 2017 Columbia Basin Culture Tour (CBCT).
This year marks the ninth year of the annual tour that will take place Aug. 12-13.
The CBCT is a self-guided tour funded by the Columbia Basin Trust with stops throughout the Basin. A brochure with a map and descriptions of the stops helps you plan your day whether you decide to just visit stops in your home town or take a drive to explore what the wider area has to offer.
Stops include local arts, heritage and culture and are all free to visit on the tour dates.
Last year the Kootenay Gallery of Art, Doukhobor Discovery Centre, Selkirk Weavers’ & Spinners’ Guild, Sculpturewalk, Catherine’s Glass Studio, Sandra Donohue, Mirja Vahala Art Studio and Linda and Ted Crosfield were all stops in the Castlegar area.
Last year TR By Hand, Stephanie Gauvin Art Studio & Gallery and Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre were stops in the Rossland area.
Last year Debra Rushfeldt and the Studio Connexion Gallery were stops in the Nakusp area.
For those considering registering as a stop on the tour, a CBCT press release explains, “Participating as a venue allows you to really connect with locals, develop a wider audience, educate the public about what you do, market your activities, and attract visitors to your community.”
For the tour, the definition of arts includes visual, written, performing, media and inter-arts.
Stops on the tour can give visitors a behind-the-scenes look into artists, their studios and how art is created. Stops also include art galleries, museums and other heritage sites. Art can be purchased directly from artists during the tour.
Other benefits to participating venues include signage, posters and postcards to promote participation and inclusion in the brochure.
The registration deadline is April 13, but there is a discount for those registering by March 31.
CBCT requires that individuals and venues be located “in the Canadian Columbia Basin, the southeast corner of British Columbia roughly bordered by the communities of Valemount, Golden, Elkford, Creston, Rossland, Arrow Lakes and Revelstoke.
To register visit cbculturetour.com or for more information call 1-877-505-7355.