Culture Days cash on tap, school bus survey set

The Alberta government is planning to dole out money for community celebrations focusing on diversity and culture.

Alberta Culture Days will take place Sept. 28-30, with available funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. In 2017, there were 421 events in 56 communities hosted by cultural organizations, nonprofit groups, libraries and schools.

“Alberta Culture Days is an opportunity for communities across the province to demonstrate and share their passion for art, music, history and culture with Albertans and visitors,” Culture and Tourism Minister Ricardo Miranda said in a Friday news release.

Communities can apply for $10,000 to create a designated feature celebration site, or launch a host celebration site for $5,000. Up to $1,000 is available for one-day pop up events.

Applications are due June 1.

BUS SURVEY

Alberta Education is asking for feedback on student bus services for the 2019-20 school year.

An online survey that includes questions on distance and safety will close June 15. The government plans to finalize changes this fall.

“Making sure students are transported to school and back home safely each day is an extremely important yet complicated task that involves a number of organizations,” Education Minister David Eggen said in the release. “We want to know Albertans’ views on how to make this process the best it can be.”

He introduced legislation last fall that eliminated a student walk limit from the School Act. When the government moved to reduce school fees last year, only students who lived more than 2.4 km from their designated school were eligible for free yellow school bus rides or reduced-price bus passes.