A four-week national festival of arts, culture and creativity is underway.

Locally, SaskCulture is running events until October 24th to celebrate Culture Days.

Spokesperson Shelley Fayant says over 150 activities — both virtual and in-person — are lined up.

“This is the second year that we have extended it to a four-week one,” Fayant said. “In previous years it was a three-day weekend, but because of the pandemic, we extended that opportunity for Culture Days just to give our organizers more flexibility and more opportunities to engage with their audiences.”

Fayant says virtual events open it up to people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to make it to an in-person event, including those out-of-province.

“I know last year when we introduced the digital (programs), our organizers were thrilled to see audiences from across Canada, and even in some cases beyond Canada,” Fayant said. “It’s really an opportunity for them to shine a light on the creative community that they work with in their own communities.”

Fayant says it’s an opportunity for people to experience arts and culture in their own environment.

“A lot of people are a little bit intimidated perhaps about taking an art class or trying pottery,” Fayant said. “Culture Days gives them an opportunity to try something out for free and in a safe environment, and kind of (find) their interest perhaps to get involved with their creative communities in their own backyards.”

Regina has two Culture Days hubs: the Mackenzie Art Gallery and Eden Care Communities. A complete list of activities can be found here.