Kelowna is embarking on a month-long search for its soul.The city’s cultural services division is hosting a 
series of neighbourhood meetings to discuss Kelowna’s culture and identity. The goals are to find what residents have in common and inspire them to be more creatively active.“We want people to start building a shared story about what is Kelowna’s shared soul,” said Sandra Kochan, co-ordinator of the cultural services strategic plan. “We’re a city undergoing a lot of change. Thirty-five years ago, it would have been quite easy to answer this question. Right now, it’s different.”The influx of newcomers to this once-pastoral community has skewed perceptions of what Kelowna should be. Unless residents build a consensus, cultural leaders won’t know if their plans are heading in the right direction, Kochan said.At the meetings, participants can review and contribute to the cultural services mapping project, which will identify all contributors to Kelowna’s arts and cultural sector.“The map is an organic process,” said Sheila Olcen, cultural development supervisor. “If you’re active in the arts and cultural sector, we need to know.”The city has launched an advertising campaign to publicize the workshops. The budget for the initiative is $12,500. Ultimately, staff want to encourage more active participation among audiences, said Kochan. “Going to a soccer game isn’t nearly as good as playing soccer. If someone is interested in music, they learn to play violin. They’ll have a deeper appreciation for the symphony.”The benefits of singing in a choir are similar to playing on a sports team, Kochan says – you’re connected to people, you learn new skills, and it’s fun. But she’s hesitant to say culture is only about the arts or institutions like galleries, museums or theatres. People have family cultures, workplace cultures and even sub-cultures, Kochan said. A young person could be part of the skateboarding culture; a senior may be connected to people of his ethnic heritage.“We want to encourage a good cross-section of the community to come and share their insights with us,” she said.The public can attend any of the free sessions:
series of neighbourhood meetings to discuss Kelowna’s culture and identity. The goals are to find what residents have in common and inspire them to be more creatively active.“We want people to start building a shared story about what is Kelowna’s shared soul,” said Sandra Kochan, co-ordinator of the cultural services strategic plan. “We’re a city undergoing a lot of change. Thirty-five years ago, it would have been quite easy to answer this question. Right now, it’s different.”The influx of newcomers to this once-pastoral community has skewed perceptions of what Kelowna should be. Unless residents build a consensus, cultural leaders won’t know if their plans are heading in the right direction, Kochan said.At the meetings, participants can review and contribute to the cultural services mapping project, which will identify all contributors to Kelowna’s arts and cultural sector.“The map is an organic process,” said Sheila Olcen, cultural development supervisor. “If you’re active in the arts and cultural sector, we need to know.”The city has launched an advertising campaign to publicize the workshops. The budget for the initiative is $12,500. Ultimately, staff want to encourage more active participation among audiences, said Kochan. “Going to a soccer game isn’t nearly as good as playing soccer. If someone is interested in music, they learn to play violin. They’ll have a deeper appreciation for the symphony.”The benefits of singing in a choir are similar to playing on a sports team, Kochan says – you’re connected to people, you learn new skills, and it’s fun. But she’s hesitant to say culture is only about the arts or institutions like galleries, museums or theatres. People have family cultures, workplace cultures and even sub-cultures, Kochan said. A young person could be part of the skateboarding culture; a senior may be connected to people of his ethnic heritage.“We want to encourage a good cross-section of the community to come and share their insights with us,” she said.The public can attend any of the free sessions:
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