A new organization for arts and culture in the Massawippi Valley.
ARTS-CULTURES MASSAWIPPI is a non-profit organization, born only a few months ago,whose mission is to enhance the crucial presence of arts and culture in the personal and social life of the population of the Lake Massawippi basin.
This grouping has quickly brought about the enthusiasm of more and more renowned artists and citizens of all professions who want to promote and participate in artistic and cultural activities. Residents of North-Hatley, Canton de Hatley, Hatley, Ste-Catherine de Hatley and Ayer’s Clff quickly became involved.
Working teams developed activities theater, storytelling, singing, instrumental music, literature… for and by the citizens of the 5 municipalities.
The objectives go beyond simple entertainment and aim at the development of a “real community of proximity, inclusive, open to the world, capable of adapting, healthy, developing coherence between the individual and society, because arts and culture are the most effective engines.” (Acfas 2021)
Art is essential for health, as the UN already cited in its Nov. 2019 newsletter, “Art can benefit health, both physical and mental. This is one of the key findings of a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office, which analyzes evidence from more than 900 publications from around the world.”
As good as sports and physical activity
“It is now a given in our society that practicing a sport, being physically active, is good for our health. In my opinion, we are now taking the next step: considering that practicing an art form or frequenting cultural places also has an impact on our psychological and physical health.
Professor Jocelyne Faucher, Secretary General and Vice-Rector for Student Life Université de Sherbrooke
“Sports are important for the body, and arts and culture are good for the heart and soul. The two are complementary. To me, that’s obvious, but people who make decisions don’t necessarily have that equation in mind.”
Mario Trépanier, Executive Director of the UdeS Cultural Centre
Good for the environment. New policies are emerging at both the international and local levels for the development of community-based activities, which is also why we need to encourage the development of ACMs in our municipalities; not to mention the fact that this development helps preserve our heritage by animating potential, little-used sites such as our churches or the Piggery Theatre.
In a symposium on the aftermath of the pandemic, Professor Guylaine Vaillancourt concluded, “Anything that makes us feel good makes us release endorphins, and we want more. Right now, we’re starving…”
The current craze for Arts-Cultures Massawippi allows the greatest hopes to find this active life in our municipalities, with the aim of fortifying proximity.
“The future lies in the strength of grouping, collegiality, sharing and solidarity. Canada Council for the Arts and Letters.
This is what we propose to you. Join us by contacting
- France Capistran