Saskatchewan Arts Alliance (SAA) | Speaking up for the arts since 1984.

Arts Everywhere: Episode Thirty-Seven
Creating Through the Struggle: Artists Navigating Mental Health
With Gordon Pepper. Given her massive success as a Canadian photographer it’s hard to believe that there was a time, when, not once, but twice Thelma Pepper faced depression head-on. Her belief was that she needed to find something that would make her feel good about herself.

Listen here
Read our Latest Op-ed
How to Start Your Artistic Journey: A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring Creativity Without a Background in Arts by Courtney Phillips.

Read More!
"Creating Through the Struggle: Artists Navigating Mental Health”
The Saskatchewan Arts Alliance podcast, Arts Everywhere will be recording a series of episodes exploring the stories of artists living with mental illness and mental health challenges. In each episode, we’ll explore the intersection of creativity and mental health, shedding light on the struggles, triumphs, and raw experiences that shape our work.

Check it out
Envisioning a Fully-Funded SK Arts
Read the updated SAA Report to find out the numbers behind some of our advocacy asks. This report has been update May 2025.

Find out more

1 2 3 4

Get Involved

Animated icons created by Freepik at Flaticon

The Saskatchewan Arts Alliance (SAA) is an inclusive, member-driven coalition of arts organizations that provides a collective voice for the arts community of Saskatchewan.

Who we are

Arts Everywhere: Episode Thirty-Eight

Mental Health and the Arts with Marian Donnelly
Marian Donnelly…

Apr 15, 2022In‎ Impact Stories, News, Resources

Art Works – On the Boards Staging Company

For over 20 years, the company has provided expertise and resources in the technical and administrative areas of production to help hundreds of independent artists and performer-producers stage their art. During the pandemic, however, cancellations have been the norm, and the Refinery space has been almost empty. Gallant-Morari’s concert had been cancelled twice before they finally pulled it off.

Five matches on a purple background. One is burned and another is growing a green leaf.

Feb 24, 2025InEvents, News

Arts for Change: Pre-Conference Workshop

Preventing Burnout
Training Description:
Fatigue and…

Street sign in orange that reads "Let's Change"

Feb 21, 2025InEvents, News

Arts for Change Conference

Black and white line drawing of person looking at a cell phone.

Jan 23, 2025InEvents, News

Event: Navigating the Growing Challenges of Meta & Social Media

Sep 11, 2024InEvents, News

Arts Everywhere: Episode Thirty-Eight

Mental Health and the Arts with Marian Donnelly
Marian Donnelly…

May 1, 2025InArtists in Saskatchewan, News, Op-Eds

How to Start Your Artistic Journey: A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring Creativity Without a Background in Arts

Written by Courtney Phillips

Art has always captivated me—whether…

Sep 30, 2022InNews, SAA Bulletin

Introducing SAA’s 2022-23 Board of Directors

Thanks to everyone who attended the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance’s…

Dec 4, 2019InNews, SAA Bulletin

SAA Bulletin – December 2019

Nov 2, 2019InNews, SAA Bulletin

SAA Bulletin – November 2019

Oct 2, 2019InNews, SAA Bulletin

SAA Bulletin – October 2019

Sep 5, 2019InNews, SAA Bulletin

SAA Bulletin – September 2019

Aug 8, 2019InNews, SAA Bulletin

SAA Bulletin – August 2019

Inspiring Quotes

Jennifer McAllister, music educator

[Music] is good for us our whole life, so an investment in music education in young people is an investment in wellbeing for people for their whole life.

Albert Einstein

Life without music is inconceivable for me. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music … I get most joy in life out of music.

Dr. Peter Gouzouasis, PHD. University of British Columbia

The more students study music, the better they do in Math, Science and English

Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver, PhD, cognitive neuroscientist

We now “get” that music is one of the major frontiers of science and medicine—we have plentiful evidence, and dedicated pioneers on the path to discovering WHY we need to keep music in our lives, in our schools, and in our centers for healing.

saskartsalliance

527 2,773

View

May 18

57 1

Open

Cathedral Arts Festival is taking place May 19th-24th in Regina, Saskatchewan! ✨🙌🏼

This is the biggest Street Fair in Saskatchewan! Spanning an entire week and hosting dozens of performances and large outdoor events, it attracts and entertains crowds of 40,000 and you don’t want to miss it!

Visit @cvafregina on Instagram for more details about this festival!

View

May 17

9 0

Open

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Out Now!

Jay Semko, founder and lead singer of The Northern Pikes, joins guest host Kevin Power for a powerful conversation on mental health, addiction, and resilience. Jay shares how he learned to ride the waves of depression—and now uses his story to inspire hope, especially among youth.

This isn’t just a musician’s journey—it’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there’s a way forward.

@jaysemko

Listen to this episode at the link in our bio! 🔗

#sask #saskmade #saskatchewan #saskart #saskartist #artist #skart #artgallery #art #advocates #thelmapepper #podcast #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport

View

May 15

59 1

Open

We’ve released a new report - Envisioning a Fully-Funded SK Arts 📢

This report calls for urgent provincial investment in @saskarts

Developed in consultation with SK Arts leadership and staff, the report highlights a 15-year funding shortfall and its widespread impact on artists, arts organizations, and cultural programming across Saskatchewan.

Despite underfunding, SK Arts contributes $17.6 million in economic output, $9.7 million in GDP, and supports 194 full-time jobs in Saskatchewan. (Correction: this video should state 194 full-time jobs supported, not 19)

Read the full report at the link in our bio! 🔗

#sask #saskartist #saskatchewan #saskart #saskarts #advocacy #yxe #yqr

View

May 13

67 0

Open

@neutralgroundarc is hiring a Curatorial Assistant for summer 2025! This 9-week term position (pending Canada Summer Jobs funding) runs from June to August at $18/hour for 30 hours per week. Work on-site in the heart of downtown Regina supporting exhibitions, events, and day-to-day gallery operations.

Apply your passion for art in a hands-on role—perfect for emerging arts professionals! Deadline to apply is May 15th at 11:59pm.

Find more information at the link in our bio 🔗

View

May 13

27 0

Open

View

May 11

10 0

Open

New podcast episode! 🙌🏼

Our guest host Kevin Power sits down with Marian Donnelly, a powerhouse in Saskatchewan’s arts and non-profit sector for 50 years and counting. Marian shares stories from her five-decade journey—full of unexpected turns, hard-won wisdom, and her motto: “Live a life of purpose and adventure.”

Tune in for a candid conversation about perseverance, passion, and what it really means to stick with the work you believe in.

Listen at the link in our bio 🔗

#sask #saskmade #saskatchewan #saskart #saskartist #artist #skart #artgallery #art #advocates #thelmapepper #podcast #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport

View

May 10

30 0

Open

What does it really look like to make a living as an artist in Saskatchewan? 🤔

This breakout report from our Saskatchewan Arts Research Project (SARP) takes a closer look at the financial realities of artists in our province—based on insights from artists themselves.

Dig into the data and discover the full report at the link in our bio! 🔗

#arts #art #sask #saskartist #saskatchewan #advocating #advocacy #saskart

View

May 10

20 0

Open

Thelma Pepper’s legacy as a Canadian photographer goes far beyond her lens. In this episode, guest host Kevin Power speaks with Thelma’s youngest son, filmmaker Gordon Pepper, about how photography helped his mother overcome depression—twice—and led her to a life of purpose and profound impact.

Her portraits captured strength, vulnerability, and the quiet beauty of everyday lives—offering not just validation to her subjects, but healing for herself.

Listen at the link in our bio! 🔗

#sask #saskmade #saskatchewan #saskart #saskartist #artist #skart #artgallery #art #advocates #thelmapepper #podcast #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport

View

May 8

17 0

Open

Our team is taking a short rest to recharge and return refreshed. The SAA office will be closed from May 12th-16th!

Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Load More Follow on Instagram

Sask Arts Alliance Follow 2,084 1,705

Saskatchewan Arts Alliance (SAA) is a non-profit coalition of arts organizations that provides a collective voice for the arts in Saskatchewan.

; Sask Arts Alliance @skartsalliance ·

5 Dec 1864722746346741990

📢Announcement: SAA is Moving Off Twitter/X 📢

SAA will no longer be active here, look for us on other channels such as Facebook and Instagram! Please note that we will be officially deactivating this account in the new year.

Reply on Twitter 1864722746346741990 Retweet on Twitter 1864722746346741990 0 Like on Twitter 1864722746346741990 0 Twitter 1864722746346741990

; Sask Arts Alliance @skartsalliance ·

14 Nov 1856874789299740779

It’s #TransWeek2024! We're starting by sharing @egalecanada’s resources to support trans and gender-diverse individuals. We'll be featuring articles from Jaye Kovach and an episode from our Arts Everywhere Podcast. Stay tuned!

🔗 Full resources:

Trans Awareness Week 2024 - Egale Canada

Every March 31st, the trans community and allies come together to observe Trans Day Of Visibility (TDOV)

egale.ca

Reply on Twitter 1856874789299740779 Retweet on Twitter 1856874789299740779 0 Like on Twitter 1856874789299740779 0 Twitter 1856874789299740779

; Sask Arts Alliance @skartsalliance ·

13 Nov 1856728735166181524

The SAA is looking for a strategic planner! This is an opportunity to collaborate with our team and lead a planning process that reflects the needs and aspirations of the Sask arts sector.

For more details - check out this link: https://bit.ly/4hyEWN3

Reply on Twitter 1856728735166181524 Retweet on Twitter 1856728735166181524 0 Like on Twitter 1856728735166181524 0 Twitter 1856728735166181524

; Sask Arts Alliance @skartsalliance ·

11 Nov 1856003962001854739

On this Remembrance Day, we pause to honor the courage and resilience of those who have served. We pay tribute to all who have served in times of war, military conflict, and peace.

Please note, in observance of Remembrance Day, the SAA office will be closed today.

Reply on Twitter 1856003962001854739 Retweet on Twitter 1856003962001854739 0 Like on Twitter 1856003962001854739 1 Twitter 1856003962001854739

Advocacy means supporting a cause or a proposal, something you believe in, especially the importance of an issue to decision-makers.

Advocacy 101

Arts Everywhere: Episode Thirty-Seven

Read our Latest Op-ed

"Creating Through the Struggle: Artists Navigating Mental Health”

Envisioning a Fully-Funded SK Arts

Get Involved

The Saskatchewan Arts Alliance (SAA) is an inclusive, member-driven coalition of arts organizations that provides a collective voice for the arts community of Saskatchewan.

Inspiring Quotes

Jennifer McAllister, music educator

Albert Einstein

Dr. Peter Gouzouasis, PHD. University of British Columbia

Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver, PhD, cognitive neuroscientist

saskartsalliance

Advocacy means supporting a cause or a proposal, something you believe in, especially the importance of an issue to decision-makers.

Jacqui Shumiatcher

Joe Fafard

Contact

Explore

Join our Mailing List

We are immensely grateful to be supported by our members.