Broad plans or policies outlining a municipality's vision and strategies for arts and cultural development

Contents

PLANS, POLICIES & STRATEGIES
(by municipality)
– A to C
– D to G
– H to K
– L to N
– O to R
– S
– T to Z

BACKGROUND READING AND RESEARCH
– Canada – General Research
– Canada – Research on Municipal Cultural Policy in Quebec
– International

Broad community cultural plans and strategies—based on municipal cultural policy as defined in stand-alone documents or as part of larger civic policy—expand the general vision and identify strategic directions for nurturing a community's cultural development. They also articulate the municipality's values and visions for ensuring that a community's cultural development reflects the diversity of its residents and is accessible to all.

The development of arts and cultural planning as a responsibility—and benefit—of local government is a relatively new idea, evolving in Canada only over the past thirty years, and a common vocabulary is also still evolving. A range of vocabulary is evident among the Cultural Plans in this library; nevertheless, there is a wealth of detail to be learned from the experiences of municipalities across Canada. And with each initiative, the distinct and common elements of policy and of planning are distilled with ever more clarity.

Current items in the Cultural Plans, Policies and Strategies library include documents, websites, and reports from municipalities of all sizes and from across Canada, as well as papers describing municipal cultural policy in the province of Quebec.

[ back to top of page ]

PLANS, POLICIES & STRATEGIES

A to C

Abbotsford, BC – Arts and Heritage Masterplan
Community survey, initial options, and plan to develop an arts and culture plan for the City of Abbotsford. 2002. Document (PDF, 449K)

Amos, QC – Politique culturelle
Adoptée en 1995. Document au Web (HTML)

Assomption (MRC), QC – Politique culturelle
Adoptée en novembre 2000. Document au Web (PDF, 1.1MB)

Barrie, ON – Municipal Culture Plan
Building a Creative Future: A Plan for Culture. April 2006. Document (PDF, 4.2MB) 

Brantford, ON – Municipal Cultural Plan
Adopted August 2005. Document (PDF, 500K)

Burlington, ON – Cultural Strategy
10 Year Cultural Strategy. March 2006. Document (PDF, 236KB)  

Burnaby, BC – Draft Economic Development Strategy 2020
Burnaby's Draft Economic Development Strategy, which includes plans to boost Tourism, Sport/Tournaments, Arts/Culture, and Retail in Burnaby, was released in May 2006 to the broader community for review and feedback. Website

Calgary, AB – Civic Arts Policy
Adopted by the City of Calgary in July 2004. Document (PDF, 512K)
Civic arts policy report to City Council. Document (PDF, 4.9M)

Calgary, AB – Civic Arts Report
Terms of reference report for cultural policy review. This report resulted from an extensive review of best practices, interviews with experts and stakeholders within the artistic, business and political community in Calgary, and representative public opinion surveys. Completed in March 2003.

Executive summary – Document (PDF, 94K)
Full report – Document (PDF, 557K)

Carleton-Saint-Omer, QC – Politique culturelle
Adoptée en décembre 1999. Résumé de la politique au Web (HTML)

Cochrane, AB - Parks, Recreation and Culture Facilities Master Plan
HarGroup Management Consultants, Inc., and K. Knights and Associates Ltd. May 2008. Document (PDF, 1.2MB)

[ back to top of page ]

D to G

Drummond (MRC), QC – Politique culturelle
Adoptée en mars 2004. Document au Web (PDF, 1.1MB)

Edmonton, AB - Arts and Heritage Plan
The Art of Living: A Plan for Securing the Future of Arts and Heritage in the City of Edmonton. 2008 - 2018. Edmonton Arts Council. Document (PDF, 3.2MB) 

Fredericton, NB – Municipal Arts Policy
This document is a "policy," but it also contains a plan, with objectives. The middle section is the policy proper – designed to sit inside the City's municipal plan as a chapter. The front and back sections are background information. Originally published in 1999, revised in February 2003. Document (PDF, 252KB)

Municipal Plan Review – Heritage and Culture section. Proposed revisions to the Heritage and Culture section of the Capital City Plan, for the City of Fredericton's Municipal Plan Review, 2003. Document (PDF, 15K)

Municipal Plan Review -Technical Background Reports – To inform the Municipal Plan Review, the Development Services Department of the City of Fredericton also prepared technical background reports:

History and Heritage technical background report. November 2003. Document (PDF, 13.5M)
Heritage and the Arts Issues paper. Document (PDF, 37K)

Grande Prairie, AB – Cultural Opportunities and Facilities Plan
Cultural plan for the City of Grande Prairie, adopted in 2003. Document (PDF, 672KB)

[ back to top of page ]

H to K

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS – Cultural Plan
In February 2005, HRM embarked on creating a Cultural Plan that encompasses its rural, suburban, and urban areas. In March 2006, Halifax Regional Council approved draft #3 of the Cultural Plan, which lays the foundation for more focussed and strategic programs, projects, and investment. Website

Draft #3 of Cultural Plan (approved March 28, 2006). Document (PDF, 4.7MB)
Supplementary Council Report to Draft #3. Document (PDF, 464KB)
Discussion Paper (June 2005). Document (PDF, 272KB)

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS – Economic Development Strategy
Adopted in 2005, this strategy identifies investment in cultural infrastructure as a key economic development strategy and a "creative city" approach to attracting and maintaining a young, innovative and creative individuals. The strategy emphasizes "leveraging" Halifax's creative community in the service of economic development. Document (PDF, 1.2MB)

Hinton Council for Arts and Culture - Strategic Plan 2007-2011
A Strategic Plan developed by the Hinton Council for Arts and Culture and Town of Hinton staff to further enhance arts and culture in the community of Hinton. The Strategic Plan equally highlights the following four areas - Visual Arts, Culture, Performing Arts and Literary Arts. The action plans for the four categories will be implemented over the next three to five years with some of the outcomes continuing throughout the five years. Document (PDF, 3.8MB)

Haut-Richelieu (MRC), QC – Politique culturelle
Adoptée en mai 2001. Document au Web (PDF, 360K)

Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC – Politique culturelle
Adoptée en 2002. Document au Web (PDF, 1.8MB)

Jasper, AB - Community Sustainability Plan
Background Paper: Culture, Recreation, Health & Well-Being. The Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada are working in partnership to create this plan. Februray 2009. Document (PDF, 220KB) 

Kamloops, BC – Cultural Strategic Plan
A comprehensive strategy which is based on the recognition of the diversity of the cultural sector in Kamloops, from small to large, amateur to professional and representing every conceivable genre from the visual arts, to heritage, the performing arts and the cultural industries. 2004. Document (PDF, 795K)

Kelowna, BC – Arts and Cultural Policy
The policy speaks to the Kelowna Arts Foundation, Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee, Festivals Fund, Cultural Tourism Marketing Fund, Public Art Committee, Public Art Reserve Fund, Cultural Categories for Operating Funds, and a General Policy Statement. Approved in July 2000. Document (PDF, 28K)

Kingston, ON – Cultural Strategy/Project Plan
The City of Kingston embarked on a Community Strategic Planning process in 1998, now known as Focus Kingston. A Community Strategic Plan has been prepared and approved by Council. In adopting the community plan, Council adopted seven (7) strategic priorities on which to focus over the next 2-3 years, including: "Culture, Heritage, Parks and Recreation." Information on the Priority Area: Culture Project Plan is found on the City of Kingston's website. Weblink

Kitchener, ON – Strategic Culture Plan
Culture Plan: A Cultural Strategic Plan for Kitchener. Report to Kitchener City Council. Prepared by Donna Cardinal of Cardinal Concepts for the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. June 1996. Document (PDF, 116KB) 

Kitchener, ON – CulturalPlan II and Leisure Plan
The City of Kitchener CulturePlan II presents a workplan to establish Kitchener as a creative city, championing investment in cultural assets and developing a community-wide strategy. Adopted in February 2005, the City of Kitchener Leisure Master Plan focuses on planning for leisure facilities for recreation, arts and culture, sportsfields and trails.

City of Kitchener CulturePlan II. Document (PDF, 7.3MB)
City of Kitchener Leisure Master Plan. Document (PDF, 432K). Summary. Document (PDF, 136K)
City of Kitchener CulturePlanII: Where We Are Now (2008). Brochure (PDF, 412KB)

[ back to top of page ]

L to N

Lévis, QC – Politique culturelle : « Ville de nature et de culture »
Adoptée en 2004. Document au Web (PDF, 725K)
Plan d'actions 2005-2007 : Plan actions 2005-2007. Document au Web (PDF, 60KB)

London, ON – Creative City Task Force report
Released April 2005. Document (PDF, 2.6M)

Memphrémagog (MRC), QC – Politique culturelle pour l'horizon 2000-2005
In 1991, the MRC of Memphrémagog was the first municipality in Quebec to approve a cultural policy. The first cultural policy (1991-1995) provided the foundations for cultural development in the region. The second version (1995-2000) developed this cultural vitality further. The present policy (2000-2005) further strengthens local cultural development and proposes to consolidate the community's cultural assets. Document au Web (PDF, 180K)

Memphrémagog (MRC), QC – Politique culturelle pour l'horizon 2000-2005
En 1991, la MRC de Memphrémagog était la première municipalité à adopter une politique culturelle. Sa première politique (de 1991 à 1995) a fondé une stratégie pour le développement culturel de la région. Sa version suivante (de 1995 à 2000) voulait développer plus la vitalité culturelle. Sa politique actuelle (de 2000 à 2005) veut renforcer le développement culturel régional et elle propose la consolidation des ressources culturelles dans la région. Document au Web  (PDF, 180K)

Memphrémagog (MRC), QC – Plan d'action pour l'année 2003
Plan d'action du Comité Culturel pour l'année 2003. Document au Web (PDF, 292K)

Mississippi Mills, ON – Community Official Plan 
Includes section on arts and culture. 2006. Document (PDF,1.2MB)  

Moncton, NB – Arts and Cultural Policy
Adopted in January 2000. Document (PDF, 134K)

Moncton, NB - Economic Development Strategy
Adopted in November 2005, this strategy establishes a "creative city" approach to economic development. Among the key priorities that it identifies are accelerating growth in the creative economy and enhancing the vibrancy of arts and culture. The city recognizes that arts and culture are essential to creating a unique life style that will attract not only creative people, but also families that will benefit and enjoy living in a vibrant community. Document (PDF, 968K)

Montréal, QC – Montréal, métropole culturelle, Politique de développement culturel 2005-2015
Ville de Montréal, septembre 2005. Document (PDF, 2.1MB)

Mont Saint Hilaire, QC – Politique culturelle : « Ville de nature, d'art et de patrimoine »
Adoptée en 2002. Document au Web (PDF, 2.5M)

Nanaimo, BC – Cultural Strategy
2008. Document (PDF, 912 KB)

Newfoundland and Labrador (Province of) – Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture
Document (PDF, 2.3MB)

New Westminster, BC – Arts Strategy
A Plan for the Arts in New Westminster. 2008. Document (PDF, 1MB) 

North Vancouver, BC – Cultural Plan
Phase 1: Goals & Strategies. Prepared by the Cultural Plan Steering Committee For: The City & District of North Vancouver, 2002. Document (PDF, 972KB)
Phase 2: Delivery & Management Plan. Prepared by Deborah Meyers Consulting for the City and District of North Vancouver. July 2002. Document (PDF, 1.4MB) 

[ back to top of page ]

O to R

Oakville, ON – Cultural Plan
Document (PDF, 33.3 MB) October 2009.
For more information, visit: www.oakville.ca/cultureliveshere.htm

Orillia, ON – Cultural Plan
Cultural Plan (adopted November 2005). Document (PDF, 1,000KB)
Recommendations on Cultural Plan 2005 (February 2006). Document (PDF, 40KB)

Ottawa, ON – Ottawa 20/20 Arts and Heritage Plan
The Arts and Heritage plans are two separate, but linked, plans developed within the context of the Ottawa 20/20 planning initiative, a two-year post-amalagmation process that focussed on growth management for the next 20 years. April 2003. Website

Arts and Heritage Plan (in English). Document (PDF, 909K)
Le plan pour les arts et le patrimoine (en français). Document au Web (PDF, 1.1M)
5-year Progress Report (April 2010) Document (PDF, 2MB)

Owen Sound, ON – Cultural Master Plan
February 2007. Document (PDF, 2.2MB)  

Port Hope, ON – Spotlight on Culture
Submitted by the Cultural Advisory Committee of the Municipality of Port Hope. December 2007. Document (PDF, 164KB) 

Port Moody, BC – Cultural Strategic Plan
"City of the Arts", A Cultural Strategic Plan for Port Moody. April 2001. Document (PDF, 132KB) Executive Summary (PDF, 668KB)

Port Coquitlam, BC – Cultural Policy and Plan
A colourful and detailed description of the City of Port Coquitlam's cultural policy and plan. Approved in November 2001, and intended to guide cultural development in Port Coquitlam in the years 2002 to 2012. Document (MS Word, 4.7M)

Terms of reference to Port Coquitlam's Community Cultural Development (CCD) Advisory Committee, created to help realize the vision put forward in the City's Cultural Policy and Plan. Document (PDF, 186KB)

Powell River, BC – Cultural Master Plan
An integrated business and marketing plan that serves as a master cultural plan for the Powell River region. It was developed to identify and plan cultural activities that can be implemented incrementally and to drive economic development in the region. 2004. Document (PDF, 2.7M)

Powell River, BC – Arts and Culture Policy
Philosophy statement begins: "The Municipality recognizes that the arts are a formidable force for change, and confirms its mandate to the arts as an essential element within a vital, creative and balanced community." Policy approved by City Council April 2005. Document (PDF, 102K)

Prince Albert, SK – Civic Arts Policy
May 1994. Document (PDF, 128KB) 

Prince Edward County, ON – Cultural Plan
A Strategic Economic Development Plan prepared for Prince Edward County in 2004 identified “Arts, Culture and Heritage” as an element of Prince Edward County’s economy and noted that it was significantly underdeveloped relative to it’s economic potential. In this context, in November 2004 Council approved the development of a Strategic Cultural Plan for the County. Website
Strategic Cultural Plan. Document (PDF, 1.5MB)
Consultation findings (appendix to Cultural Plan). Document (PDF, 164KB) 

Prince George, BC – Arts Policy
A full account of the City of Prince George's Arts Policy including definitions, a policy statement, the City's mission statement, guiding principles, and the policy's goals. Adopted in 1997. Document (PDF, 132KB)

Québec (Ville), QC – Politique culturelle
La politique culturelle, adoptée le 6 décembre 2004, traduit les intentions de la Ville de Québec relativement au développement des arts et de la culture dans son territoire. La Ville affirme ainsi sa volonté de faire de la culture un axe maje ur de développement. Février 2005. Document (PDF, 272KB)

Red Deer, AB – Community Culture Vision & Outline for Action
Reframing Culture for Our Time and Place. 2008. Document (PDF, 1.9MB) 

Red Deer, AB – Community Culture Master Plan
The plan is based on extensive input from the citizens of Red Deer and has been adopted by City Council as a tool to advance the quality of life in Red Deer. Completed September 2001. Document (PDF, 387K)

Richmond, BC – Arts Strategy
The Arts Strategy lays out a vision and strategies, and includes an "immediate action plan." Document (PDF, 795K)

[ back to top of page ]

S

Saanich, BC – Comprehensive Arts Policy
Saanich's Official Community Plan (OCP) addresses the arts through objectives and general policies. In 1992, to fulfill one of these policies, Council adopted an Art in Public Places policy. In 2000, Council chose to create a comprehensive arts policy to provide more specific policy direction and to house all arts related policies together. This involved: review of the OCP arts goal, objectives, and policies; update of the Art in Public Places policy, including a new jurying process; review of departmental policies; and investigation of Saanich's regional arts commitments. A brief summary of the policy is available on the District of Saanich website. Weblink

The Arts Policy is documented in four files:
– Part 1: Goal, Objective and Policies. Document (PDF, 447K)
– Part 2a: Implementation/Initiatives (Public Art Program). Document (PDF, 1.9M)
– Part 2b: Implementation/Initiatives (Recreation Services Department Arts Policy, Parks and Public Works Department Arts Policy, Engineering Department Arts Policy, Planning Department Arts Policy, General Arts Administration, Public Exhibition Space at the Municipal Hall Policy, Support for Arts in Schools). Document (PDF, 1.5M)
– Part 3: Private Sector Public Art and Appendices. Document (PDF, 1.0M)

Saint John, NB – Arts and Culture Policy (Draft)
Community consulted in 2005, not yet approved by City Council. Document (PDF, 320KB) Énoncé de politique artistique et culturelle de la ville de Saint John (Avant-projet...à discuter). Document (PDF, 332KB)

Sainte-Thérèse, QC – Politique de développement culturelle
Adoptée en 2000. Document au Web (PDF, 392K)

Saskatoon, SK – Civic Heritage Policy
1996. Document (PDF, 24KB)  

Saskatoon, SK – Civic Arts Policy
Outlines the vision, the outcomes, indicators of success and the role of the City of Saskatoon. Adopted in 1998. Document (PDF, 192KB)

Saskatoon, SK – Civic Arts Policy Implementation Plan
A planning tool for civic administration intended to ensure that work load, resources, and time are allocated effectively in order to implement the strategies identified in the Civic Arts Policy. The Administration's approach is participatory, encouraging community involvement in arts development. Document (PDF, 140KB)

Saskatoon, SK – Gifts and Memorial Program Policy
2000. Document (PDF, 32KB)

Saskatoon, SK – Visual Arts Placement Policy
2002. Document (PDF, 60KB) 

Sherbrooke, QC – Politique culturelle
Adoptée en 2003. Document au Web (PDF, 1.3M)

St. Catharines, ON – Municipal Cultural Policy
In 1996, the Municipal Council of the City of St. Catharines ratified The City of St. Catharines Recreation Master Plan, which recommended the City: “Establish a Community Based ‘Cultural Coalition’” and “Establish a Municipal Cultural Policy.” A Cultural Coalition Committee was created later that year. One of the primary tasks of the Coalition was to ensure the development of a Municipal Cultural Policy. The Cultural Policy Steering Committee (CPSC) was subsequently struck and first met in June of 1998. In October 1998, the City created a parttime staff position of Cultural Policy Coordinator who served as secretary to the CPSC, researcher, facilitator of focus groups, and writer. The CPSC met monthly from September 1998 until September 1999, engaged in a community consultation process, and expanded its ranks through the Working Groups which developed the strategy and implementation part of the policy. This document is the result of its work. October 1999. Document (PDF, 280K)

St. John's, NL - Planning for a Creative Future
The City of St. John's Municipal Arts Plan. 2009. Document (PDF, 1.2MB)

[ back to top of page ]

T to Z

Thunder Bay, ON – Cultural Policy
Adopted May 2000, replacing former Arts and Heritage Policy 1991, 1998. Weblink
Cultural Policy Study from December 2004. Document (PDF, 2MB)
Cultural Policy adopted by Council February 2005. Document (PDF, 412KB)

Toronto, ON – Culture Plan for the Creative City
Toronto Culture Plan Website
In 2003, City Council adopted the Culture Plan for the Creative City, a ten-year strategy outlining 63 recommendations to position Toronto as a Creative City and a global cultural capital. The Culture Plan communicated a growing understanding among economists that in addition to being fundamental to quality of life, culture and heritage are vital to the success of Toronto's expanding economy. Since the adoption of the Culture Plan, progress has been achieved on approximately 60% of the recommendations. Below are the reports that support the development of the Creative City:
Creative City Planning Framework (2008) Document (PDF, 1.1MB)
Culture Plan Progress Report II (2008) Document (PDF, 312KB)
Culture Plan Progress Report I (2005) Document (PDF, 1.5MB)
Culture Plan for the Creative City (2003) Document (PDF, 236KB)
The Creative City: A Workprint (2001) Document (PDF, 564KB) 

 Trois-Rivières, QC – Cultural Policy
Adopted June 2002. English translation. Document (PDF, 220KB)