Fonds 821 - Medicine Hat Cultural Alliance fonds

The Medicine Hat Cultural Alliance resulted from two strategic futures workshop held in November 1998 and January 1999, resulting is a decision that an umbrella group was needed to help determine priorities for the arts in Medicine Hat. As a non-profit organization, the Alliance acted as a coordinator and advocacy group for the various culture groups in the city. It also served the function of bringing groups together to improve cooperation and communication.

Part of the early plan was to be a fund-raising body which could speak on behalf of the community in soliciting financial support from government and private corporations; this objective never became a core function of the organization.

The Cultural Alliance also looked to play a role in social and community issues, particularly tagging in Medicine Hat’s core. A task force was created to address this issue, although no concrete responses were enacted.

The Alliance also played a significant role in advocating for and supporting the construction of the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre, counteracting some of the negative response in the community.

A major on-going project of the Alliance was the publication of Expression Magazine, a free periodical which began distribution in 2002, and lasted until 2006. It received significant recognition across Alberta and brought Hatters news and information about their local cultural community.

The Cultural Alliance held their final AGM June 22, 2008, at which time they folded.