Arts and Culture in Whistler
While Whistler is known around the world as North America's premier resort destination for year-round outdoor adventure, it is also home to a vibrant arts and culture community.
Whistler is honoured to be designated the "Cultural Capital of Canada" for 2009. The designation is awarded to a community that demonstrates a strong and ongoing commitment to arts and culture. Both residents and visitors alike will continue to share enriching cultural experiences as Whistler ramps up to its role as Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Highlights of Whistler's cultural commitment include:
Whistler Arts Council
For more than 25 years, the Whistler Arts Council (WAC) has served as the resort's arts & culture "umbrella organization". WAC's mandate is to coordinate, stimulate and promote the growth of performing, literary and visual arts in the Whistler area through ongoing music, dance, theatre, festivals and other events for locals and visitors.
Whistler Film Festival Society
The Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) is a not-for-profit organization that operates the annual Whistler Film Festival and its various offshoot programs. It also provides support and education for local filmmakers and film enthusiasts.
Annual Festivals
A strong arts and culture community means there's always something exciting happening in the resort. From celebrations and festivals to special parties and international events, Whistler offers a unique and entertaining mountain culture, year-round.
Art Galleries
Over the years, the Whistler area and its inspiring mountain vistas have attracted many artists and art-lovers to the resort. With several art galleries located around Whistler Village, you'll easily find the finest in all artistic mediums, from paintings and sculptures to jewellery, prints and First Nations pieces.
Whistler Winter Arts Festival
Whistler Winter Arts Festival is an annual month-long showcase of the performing arts, literary events, film screenings, snow sculpting, art exhibitions and outdoor stage and street performances in support of the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games. The focus is to develop Canadian and local arts and to display the type of cultural artistic imagery the world will see in 2010. In 2009, the Whistler Winter Arts Festival will take place for seven weeks, from February 1 to March 23.
Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre
Newly opened in summer 2008, the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre showcases and celebrates the joint history of the local Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations, past and present, by offering a unique glimpse into their histories, creative works and cultures.
Whistler Museum & Archives
You can learn about the area's rich and entertaining cultural history at the Whistler Museum & Archives. The Whistler Museum’s exhibits are temporarily closed for renovations, but a new exhibit on Whistler's Olympic Journey will launch in February 2009. This new exhibit will allow both residents and visitors to discover Whistler's stories.
Whether you’re single, a couple or group, Whistler is sure to have the perfect activity. Book online or call us directly in Whistler at 1.800.WHISTLER.
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