ALL ABOUT DAWSON CITY

an arts hub in the north

Dawson City is vibrant and active artistic hub. Here are just some of the events and organizations that make it a unique place to study.

On the banks of the Yukon River, the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre is a gathering place that tells the stories of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. The centre holds permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as community events.

The Klondike Institute of Art & Culture (KIAC) is an artistic and cultural centre in the heart of downtown Dawson. Its programming and activities are wide-ranging from exhibitions in the ODD Gallery, artist-in residence talks and workshops, and the Yukon Riverside Arts Festival and Print & Publishing Festival. KIAC hosts performing art events through-out the year, including musicians, contemporary dance, film screenings, and more. KIAC is also host to a community classroom whose activities include weekly drop-in hand-building pottery sessions offered in the evenings.

The s(hiver) arts festival takes place in early February featuring free outdoor and indoor art installations and performances. YSOVA students have the opportunity to participate by creating temporary installations both on and off campus.

Many YSOVA students choose to take part in the Yukon48 Film Challenge, where participants have only 48 hours to complete a time-based work under 4 minutes. The final works are screened at a packed community event in the KIAC ballroom.

The Dawson City International Short Film Festival takes place in early April, showcasing short films from around the world through screenings and installations. Running in conjunction with this festival, and created by faculty member Nicole Rayburn, Cold Cuts Video Festival is a curated festival of contemporary video works.

Recreation

There’s always something going on in Dawson! From dance classes, yoga, drop-in pottery lessons, to walking, biking and skiing trails on the stunning Midnight Dome.

The Dawson City fitness centre is open 7 days a week and offers monthly memberships.

The municipal Recreation Centre offers a range of sports including volleyball, curling, and hockey. In winter there are affordable rental options for skis, kick-sleds or snowshoes for exploring local trail systems.

Nearby Ddhäl Ch'èl Cha Nän (Tombstone Territorial Park) is a popular spot for camping, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing, and is located about an hour and half from Dawson City.

GROCERIES AND RESTAURANTS

There are two grocery stores in Dawson. The General Store is open 7 days a week, and Bonanza Market is open daily with the exception of Sundays. Both are located under a 2-minute walk from the YSOVA campus.

Dawson City hosts a variety of restaurants; while some close seasonally there is always something available. All are within walking distance from campus.