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1. Cultural initiatives that celebrate diversity and culture difference lead to community building and cultural association.
Cultural associations and organizations create solidarity and community building within and between cultural groups (Green, 2004; Palmer, 2004; Fasenfest & Boza, 2001; Sénécal, 2002; City of Edmonton, 2004).
2. Quality of life is enhanced through arts and culture initiatives that also encourage outdoor activities and healthy lifestyles.
Cities that promote culture and the arts through recreational activities increase both the cultural and health aspects of quality of life (i.e., construction of recreational facilities, city-wide health activities, health months with arts and cultural activities) (e.g., City of North Vancouver; Summer Active, Saskatchewan; Niagara Community Centre).
3. Arts and culture initiatives that encourage public learning for all ages also encourage “life long learning” and subsequently support quality of life.
Many Canadian cities offer programs in which artists teach public and community forums. These initiatives encourage the arts and culture as well as quality of life (Piper, 2005; Cross Cultural Learning Centre, London, ON.
4. Arts and culture initiatives that are located in lower income and struggling communities enhance quality of life by increasing the availability of these programs to all levels of society.
Arts and culture initiatives that provide accessibility and opportunities to all income levels increase the quality of life for all residents of a city (City of Edmonton, 2001-2005; Mercer, 2001).
5. Arts and cultural initiatives that celebrate diversity and distinctive cultures, as well as offering accessibility to programs in a diversity of languages, increase quality of life by increasing civic accessibility and civic involvement.
Arts initiatives that invite a culturally diverse population, or artists, or diverse crafts encourage civic involvement and subsequently quality of life (Baeker, 2002; CPRN, 2002; Hanna & Walton-Roberts, 2004).
6. Multicultural festivals and festivals that celebrate diversity of lifestyles enhance quality of life by encouraging a community’s tolerance of diversity.
Cities with highly culturally diverse population have measurably higher quality of living (Gagnon, Guibernau, & Rocher, 2004; Policy Forum, 2005; Stolarick, Florida, & Musante, 2005).
7. Cultural festivals promote celebration and pride as well as awareness of cultural differences.
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