Who We Are

Suk’wtemsqilx’w West Kelowna Arts Council (SWAC) supports both Indigenous and non Indigenous artists and cultural bodies within and surrounding the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation in Okanagan BC, also referred to as the Westside. We are interconnected with both communities weaving in and out of land, business and home.  

Suk’wtemsqilx’w West Kelowna Arts Council incorporated as a society under the BC Society’s Act in 2015.  

The objective of Suk’wtemsqilx’w West Kelowna Arts Council (SWAC) is to be inclusive to all of our Westside community members, Westbank First Nation and West Kelowna citizens, to work together through a partnership of artists, businesses and groups in events, cultural programs and education.  
 
Our leadership includes a strong volunteer board composed of 9 artists and business people, and is supported by two ex officios: the Recreation and Culture Manager from the City of West Kelowna and Operations Manager of Sncǝwips Heritage Museum of Westbank First Nation.
 
We have a number of accomplishments such as but not limited to:
  1. YLW Airport Kiosk gained in 2015 through our inaugural presentation of our business plan at the local Chamber of Commerce, Greater Westside Board of Trade which impressed the Kelowna Airport manager with our focus on business and Indigenous partnerships and creative commerce. 
  2. 2016 Westside Culture Days BC Provincial Launch gained through our activities both before and after our incorporation as a Society.
  3. Partnerships gained for our local artists with businesses such as Best Western Wine Country Inn, West Kelowna Yacht Club, Westbank Lion’s Club, TD/Canada Trust, Royal Bank and many local businesses.
This year was our second year being nominated and short listed for Key Business Awards through the Greater Westside Board of Trade.

Our Mandate

  1. To create a symbiotic relationship between Westbank First Nation and West Kelowna where both sides flourish through the arts;
  2. To building partnerships and initiating projects that strengthen community awareness of the arts which establish connections and communication;
  3. To seek opportunities to showcase, support and promote our artists and their works locally, nationally and internationally;
  4. To support, inspire, educate, and acknowledge our young emerging artists; and-​​
  5. -To support and encourage business participation in the arts to invigorate local and creative commerce.