Dawson citizens are an eclectic mix of well educated and well travelled citizens. There is much local artistic talent. There is a significant francophone contigent in Dawson. Our town is approximately 30% First Nations citizens who are an integral part of Dawson's professional and artistic community. The First Nations citizens actively preserve their culture and heritage and share it with the non First Nations contigent (Community feasts, Moosehide Gathering, First Hunt, various cultural events, Han language course offered to the school kids).

Dawson City Arts Society (DCAS) and Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC): Offering music, dance and theatre performances; an Art Gallery with a new exhibit monthly; festival winning feature length movie shown every other Friday night during the winter; and courses in visual and performing arts (piano, flute, guitar, violin, dance, photography, life drawing, painting, sketching, creative writing, quilt design, mosaic tiles, sushi making, East Indian cooking, film and video just to name a few!). Both local and outside teachers and performers. www.kiac.org
 

Dawson City Music Festival: Awesome 3 day music festival the second last weekend of July. Diverse music from ethnic to folk to rap to Celtic to Rock. We've even had Flamenco dancers and a Cuban band on their first concert tour outside of Cuba! Dawson City Music Festival has also had such well-known artists as The Bare Naked Ladies, Natalie McMaster, Bruce Cockburn, Jane Sibery and Crash Test Dummies! Kids' performers and activities make this a true family event. Approximately 1500 people attend our festival. www.dcmf.com

Photo: Jay Armitage

Icelandic Jazz Quartet performing at Arts Centre (KIAC)

International Short Film Festival:
3 day festival at KIAC in April. View short films from around the world as well as one afternoon dedicated to the cinematographic results of 2 local film making workshops (one for adults and one for high school students). Well-known short film producers and screenwriters provide free workshops over the Festival weekend. Last but not least, lots of popcorn!

Writer in Residence: Year round. Different writer from across Canada. 3 month stints at the writing retreat of the Pierre Berton House in Dawson. Community Readings given while they are here and often writing courses as well.

Artist in Residence: Year-round. 2 artists from across Canada share the McCauley house. During their stay they show their work in the Odd Gallery and instruct workshops for the public.

Tr'ondek Hwech'in Cultural Centre: (First Nations Cultural activities, gallery and theatre) www.trondek.com

Yukon Arts Festival: A long week-end mid August devoted to the fine and performing arts. Street performances, workshops, interactive displays.