Culture
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Definition
Cultural services and programs are increasingly being recognized and appreciated as being one of
the key engines of community prosperity and quality of life.
The term "Culture" is broadly defined as, "encompassing facilities, services, programs and opportunities within the traditionally defined areas of parks,
pathways and open space, recreation, sport, leisure, heritage, and the many facets of art and entertainment."
Assets & Opportunities
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Ascertain and assess our community's cultural assets and opportunities and recommend key strategies to address identified community needs, demands and gaps in service.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
- Inventory of community cultural assets and opportunities such as programs, events, organizations and facilities (e.g. art collections, heritage buildings, local sport and art organizations, public spaces, entertainment and sport venues).
- Comprehensive community cultural needs assessment that identifies gaps between needs and existing services and programs.
- Socio-economic "Impact Analysis" that will define the scope and importance of cultural services and programs to the overall well-being of the community.
- Integrated and shared community strategies to secure and sustain quality cultural facilities and programs to meet community needs.
PROGRESS INDICATORS
- The extent to which stakeholders consider the City to be a true and engaged partner in the cultural community.
- Improved awareness of the importance of Culture as a Community economic engine.
- Municipal benchmarks and Quality of Life indicators for Culture are being developed.
- Level of in-kind support from municipal government, not-for-profit sector and private sector is quantified and communicated widely to Council and community alike.
- Council and community endorse and support recommended strategies to address identified shortcomings in community cultural assets and opportunities.
Beautification - Communities In Bloom
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Use the Communities in Bloom program to develop and implement a sustainable community-based beautification plan in partnership with the City.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
- A detailed sustainable community beautification program.
- Community strengths and gaps identified and strategies developed to address these.
- Increased and enhanced public and private space.
- Increased Civic pride.
- Increased awareness for all aspects of community beautification.
- Better understanding of the linkages to other community projects.
- Enhanced information and cultural exchanges locally and with other communities.
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A community endorsed implementation plan that is based upon citizens, community groups and organizations, business and municipal government pulling together.
PROGRESS INDICATORS
- A demonstrably more beautiful City through an increase in beautification initiatives of all types.
- Provincial and national Communities In Bloom rating that includes valuable information and feedback from the judges.
- Increased civic pride, program awareness and participation in beautification projects.
- Improved marketing and promotional potential.
- Increased tourism and resulting impact on the retail industry.
- Decreased vandalism.
- Increased environmental awareness.
Community Partnerships and Coordination
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Research, recommend and establish a model for a community-based advisory committee. The Committee would operate with clear terms of reference, approved by Council and supported by all sectors of the cultural community partners as the acknowledged community forum for addressing and coordinating ongoing cultural issues. Some of its roles may include advocacy at all levels of government, stewardship of the Strategic Implementation Plan for Culture, and reviewing and recommending municipal cultural strategies, policies, practices, facilities, and programs.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
- Provide access to improved information regarding cultural interests in the community.
- Encourage the development of a network of organizations and individuals to share resources, coordinate events and marketing.
- Provide sustainable professional and administrative leadership and support for Culture.
- Represent a balance of visitor and resident needs.
- Maintain ongoing interest and energy in the Strategic Cultural Implementation Plan.
- Establish meaningful performance measures for the cultural area.
PROGRESS INDICATORS
- Strategies have been developed and implemented to educate and build awareness of the broad area of Culture within the community.
- Improved communication, cooperation and coordination among community partners as measured by their participation on committees, and the number of initiatives undertaken.
- Equitable access to and sharing of available information as measured by such things as distribution of meeting minutes, documentation, new releases, references in newsletters.
- Increased number, type and scope of events facilitated through committee.
- Test and track levels of community awareness of cultural initiatives, participation rates.
- Level of committee involvement in policy development, within the municipal, not-for-profit and private sectors.
