This month marks the start of a new chapter in my writing and consulting: I’ve begun a bi-weekly column in the Winnipeg Free Press. Focused on thought leadership in the arts and culture sectors, the column is both a continuation of my lifelong work and a new opportunity to engage with the wider public in fresh and meaningful ways.
When the first piece appeared, I was touched by the personal introduction written by Paul Samyn, editor of the Free Press. Paul and I have shared many conversations over the years — about art, architecture, town planning, neighbourhoods, and ideas that stretch far beyond gallery walls. His words in welcoming me to the paper reminded me of the enduring dialogue between culture and the media, and how essential that exchange is to our understanding of community.
Paul highlighted something I believe deeply: art is not a side project or an afterthought. It is central to how we see ourselves, connect with one another, and imagine who we might become. That vision — of culture as civic necessity — is at the heart of my new column.
Winnipeg, and Manitoba more broadly, has a cultural energy that deserves both celebration and critical reflection. We are living in a moment when public discourse often feels fractured, and when arts and culture can too easily be dismissed as luxuries. I see this column as a chance to counter that trend — to place culture where it belongs: at the centre of civic life.
Each piece will draw on my experiences across museums, universities, and communities, as well as the lessons I’ve learned from colleagues, artists, elders, and students. Sometimes the focus will be on exhibitions and public art — and what it means to curate and engage audiences today. At other times, I’ll write about reconciliation and repatriation in the culture sector, or about the role of the arts and the economies of taste in shaping public policy. And always, I’ll ask questions that matter: What role should culture play in shaping the look and feel of our cities? How do we measure the currency of beauty? Can we imagine more sustainable ways to fund the arts so that our communities see long-term returns?
My work with Civic Muse has always been rooted in the conviction that art and culture are not separate from daily life; they are daily life. That perspective naturally informs my writing, but this column offers a wider forum — a chance to connect with readers who encounter culture every day, through music, design, stories, and shared spaces.
I see the column not just as my voice, but as part of a larger dialogue. I want readers to challenge, question, and respond — to see the arts as a living, evolving conversation that we all participate in. Every two weeks, you’ll find my column in the Winnipeg Free Press. Please follow along, share your thoughts, and let’s continue to explore how arts and culture shape the lives we live together.
The first column, Why I’m Writing to You: A Life in Art and Ideas, is now live, and you can read it here. And if you’d like to read Paul Samyn’s Introduction to the series, you’ll find it here. I hope you’ll join me there — and in the weeks ahead — as we keep this dialogue alive. – StephenÂ
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