Founded in 1993, Common Weal is a Saskatchewan-based non-profit organization that uses art as a tool for social development.
From our grassroots as a collective of professional theatre artists working in the community play format, Common Weal has greatly expanded our mandate to add such diverse media as creative writing, storytelling, film and video, theatre, dance, and visual arts. We have two offices, one in Regina and a Northern Saskatchewan office located in Prince Albert.
By using participatory art as a model, our goals include community development, advocacy for marginalized communities and access to the arts for those with a variety of social, economic and cultural barriers. Common Weal is committed to facilitating the development of individuals and communities by providing opportunities for self and collective expression through art.
We are the bridge between the artist and the community, the link that forges the partnership and the legacy of social change.
Executive Director - Joanne Shannon
Artistic Director - Gerry Ruecker
Communications - Dakota Fayant-McLeod
Artistic Director - Judy Mcnaughton
Admin Assistant - Terri-Lynn Mcdonald
Common Weal's current board of directors are
Mirtha Rivera - Chairperson
Dianne Strilaeff - Vice Chairperson
Rebecca Caines
Paul Wilson
Margaret Bessai
Jo Anne Lauder
Amber Phelps Bonderoff
Marcus Miller
Our Vision
Saskatchewan communities engaged in participatory art for social change.
Our Mission
Common Weal Community Arts Inc. is a provincial arts organization that collaboratively engages professional artists with communities to promote social change and cultural identity through creative expression.
Our Values and Guiding Principles
• Empowerment and creating opportunities for empowerment
• Community Engagement
• Creativity and flexibility
• Integrity and ethics
• Social justice
• Revolutionary practices and making a difference
• Art of high artistic merit and socially-engaged aesthetics
• Accountability
Southern Office
#220 - 1808 Smith street
Regina, SK, S4P 2N4
Phone: (306) 780-9442
Fax: (306) 780-9491
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Northern Office
1010 Central Avenue
Prince Albert, SK, S6V 4V5
Phone: (306) 960-9020
Fax: (306) 953-4814
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1. Participatory, community–based art has a positive social impact in Saskatchewan.
We will build sustainable relationships with communities and artists throughout Saskatchewan to encourage participation in arts for social change and ensure our work is responsive and collaborative.
We will engage with communities in participatory art that raises, explores and expresses relevant issues and results in positive social change. Our work in participatory arts values and engages alternative and traditional voices and world views and supports innovation, diversity and inclusion.
Our work in participatory arts affirms and develops creative consciousness by challenging the status quo with honesty and integrity. It will foster personal growth, social development, and/or increased awareness for those involved (participants, community-members, artists, staff, stakeholders, society at large).
2. Artists and communities are engaged in collaborative art of high artistic merit.
We will utilize approaches and processes that truly engage our professional staff, professional artists, and communities in empowering, collaborative and collectivist projects.
We support community goals and build the capacity of participants by working with professional artists and staff who are committed to the process and product of collaborative art of high artistic merit.
We offer a multi-disciplinary approach to the arts and support professional artists who are innovative, exploring new technologies, and engaged in art-making practices recognized by their peers.
3. Common Weal is recognized as a leader in participatory arts for social change.
We are a learning organization. We encourage creativity and self-reflection in all areas of our work. We document and evaluate our projects using original and diverse methodologies.
We will actively engage the public to increase awareness of and promote participatory arts for social change.
We build capacity of our communities by sharing our documentation and supporting research and practices that investigate the field of participatory arts for social change.
