Research - Creative City Network of Canada

Community Building

Background Reading and Research
- A new framework for building participation in the arts – 606KB
  
  Arts organizations across the country are actively expanding their efforts to increase public participation in their programs. This report presents the findings of a RAND study sponsored by the Wallace-Reader’s Digest Funds that looks at the process by which individuals become involved in the arts and attempts to identify ways in which arts institutions can most effectively influence this process. The report presents a behavioural model that identifies the main factors influencing individual decisions about the arts, based on site visits to institutions that have been particularly successful in attracting participants to their programs and in-depth interviews with the directors of more than 100 institutions that have received grants from the Wallace-Reader’s Digest Funds and the Knight Foundation to encourage greater involvement in the arts.
- Art-Goers in Their Communities: Patterns of Civic and Social Engagement – 277KB (2009)
  
  Recent attempts to study arts participation as a factor in strengthening the lives of communities have focused on quantifying economic or social impacts of artists and arts organizations. For its own part, the National Endowment for the Arts has contributed to such research with a series of reports about artists in the U.S. workforce.1 Since 2006, however, NEA researchers have examined civic benefits associated with arts activity through the lens of the participant.
- Arts and Social Exclusion – 539KB
  
  A literature review commissioned by the Arts Council of England to support its two-year social inclusion research programme. The review explores the concept of social exclusion, and evidence of the impact of the arts in contributing to addressing social exclusion.
- Arts Participation: steps to stronger cultural and community life – 2481KB
  
  Summary of findings that people who participate in the arts are more likely to engage in other community activities. A brief focusing on How Arts Participation Contributes to Arts & Community; Four Ways to Participate in Arts & Culture; Arts Participation & Levels of Personal Commitment; and, Arts Participation & Community Participation.
- Arts Participation: Steps to Stronger Cultural and Community Life – 2481KB (2003)
  
  A brief focusing on How Arts Participation Contributes to Arts & Community; Four Ways to Participate in Arts & Culture; Arts Participation & Levels of Personal Commitment; and, Arts Participation & Community Participation.
- Arts-Based Methods for Decolonising Participatory Research (Newly Added)
  
  In an effort to challenge the ways in which colonial power relations and Eurocentric knowledges are reproduced in participatory research, this book explores whether and how it is possible to use arts-based methods for creating more horizontal and democratic research practices.
  
  In discussing both the transformative potential and limitations of arts-based methods, the book asks: What can arts-based methods contribute to decolonising participatory research and its processes and practices? The book takes part in ongoing debates related to the need to decolonise research, and investigates practical contributions of arts-based methods in the practice-led research domain. Further, it discusses the role of artistic research in depth, locating it in a decolonising context.
  
  The book will be of interest to those working in art history, design, fine arts, service design, social sciences and development studies.
- Arts, Cultural Inclusion and Social Cohesion (The): NESF Report 35 (Summary) – 248KB (2007)
  
  The National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) is a social partnership organisation which advises the Government on policies to achieve greater equality and social inclusion. This leaflet summarises its 35th report, The Arts, Cultural Inclusion and Social Cohesion, which looks at ways to encourage greater access to and participation in the arts by everybody.
- Communities: the engines of social cohesion – 171KB (2001)
  
  Summary of current directions and understandings in social cohesion research.
- Community Arts Workbook … another Vital Link – 2666KB
  
  What is community arts? How can we view it as an artistic discipline? How has community arts emerged in Canada and in other countries? How does one start a community arts project? What are some of the challenges to working in this creative collaborative process?
- Creating Community: Celebrations, Arts and Wellbeing Within and Across Local Communities – 1076KB (2006)
  
  The arts and other forms of creativity can have diffuse and quite profound social outcomes in the contemporary world. They can generate a deeper sense of place that contextualizes a local sense of community.
  
  In some cases, locally relevant projects are also able to address broader social concerns beyond local belonging or identity, such as the integration of migrants, impacts of gentrification, the restructuring of rural economies, or a fear of constant change and insecurity.
- Creativity and Neighbourhood Development: Strategies for Community Investment – 2604KB (2007)
  
  The starting point for this document was a review of literature on the creative sector and community change guided by Mark Stern and Susan Seifert from SIAP. Next, staff from TRF interviewed people involved in community development and cultural activity in Philadelphia and Baltimore, two cities that exemplify the plight of post-industrial urban centers. We then examined the arts and culture-related investments within TRF’s portfolio and reflected on how those investments relate to TRF’s model of investor-driven change.
- Cultural Symbiosis: cultural participation and cohesive communities – 67KB (2000)
  
  Research in cultural participation rates and effects on civic participation and community development.
Differently-Abled Communities
- Australia: Art for Art’s Sake: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Facilitation of Creativity within Disability Services – 242KB (2009)
  
  This qualitative study focuses on how creativity is facilitated within a range of creative art services for adults with disabilities. The study conducted by the authors is posed from an occupational therapy perspective to draw on the values of current art services run in the Sydney metropolitan area for this specific adult group. Creative therapies can be seen to allow the individual to explore and express conscious and unconscious feelings, working towards resolution of interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict through the process of self-exploration, self-discovery, self-determination and self-help
- Australia: Making the Journey: Arts and disability in Australia – 2722KB (2005)
  
  The publication Making the Journey highlights the abilities and creativity of highly talented and committed artists and performers with disability.
Examples and Profiles
- Enderby, BC –- Enderby and District Community Play Project – 110KB (2002)
  
  Desired outcomes, challenges and lessons learned.
  A project report presented by Cathy Stubington at the Inaugural Creative City Network
  Conference, November 2002.
  
  This project was a collaboration between Enderby and District Resource Centre Society and the artist /writer Cathy Stubington. The steering committee spearheaded a year and a half’s worth of community arts and fundraising activities to interest residents in participating in a community play. The play, Not the Way I Heard It, was presented ten times in the last two weeks of May 1999 on the banks of Shuswap River in Enderby. Local actors, musicians, visual artists, and seamstresses joined their talents with several theatre professionals from outside the community. The number of different people involved was estimated at 800.
- Richmond, BC – A City of Cultural Fusion and Change – 334KB (2004)
  
  Article written by Kari Huhtala on the rise of new architecture and public art that reflects the cultural fusion and cross-cultural experience that is Richmond.
- USA – Immigrant Participatory Arts: An Insight into Community-Building in Silicon Valley, Inquiries into Culture Series – 1678KB (2004)
  
  This report is the result of a six-month reconnaissance of the ways in which Silicon Valley immigrants are building community through participatory arts practices. It finds that immigrant participatory arts offer a new community arts paradigm for our mobile world, a vibrant source of social energy, and a ready means of proceeding in the larger task of community-building amidst diversity. This study identifies key dynamics of immigrants building community through participatory arts in California’s Silicon Valley, specifically Santa Clara County and parts of Alameda County.
- Vancouver, BC – Community Building through Cultural Expression – 154KB
  
  Collingwood Neighbourhood House community-building through the arts project in East Vancouver – Final Report.
- Wales –- Worth Making a Song & Dance About – 1056KB
  
  Case studies of exemplary voluntary and community arts projects in Wales.
  
  This document is designed to give a deeper insight into just ten of the projects VAW has worked with over the last few years. They range in location from a West Wales ferry port to the North East of Wales, in art form from traditional music to pop and youth theatre to dance and in age range from seven to well beyond 70. The studies are just a quick snapshot of what the organizations do and how VAW has helped them. As I write we have a grand total of 360 clients and that number is increasing all the time. We work with anything which can be considered art, with anyone who is not in it for a profit and all the training and mentoring we provide is free.
Policies Plans and Practices
- Municipal Diversity & Anti-Racism Programs in Canada
  
  Presentation Handout in PDF format based on the Laurier Institution’s report: key findings.
  
  “This report provides an overview of diversity and anti-racism programs in Canadian municipalities, identifies some of the major benefits of these programs, and describes some of the more innovative features of programs in five moderately sized municipalities across Canada.
  The research for this report included a literature review, a web search of 50 Canadian municipalities, postings on two web networks (Muniscope and the Creative Cities Network), and telephone and email interviews with administrative and program staff from 5 municipalities across Canada.
  This report, and the PowerPoint presentation designed to accompany it, was contracted by the British Columbia Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, Settlement and Multiculturalism Branch. “
- Ottawa, ON – Community Arts Program
  
  Nearing its fourth year, the Community Arts Program aims to increase community participation in the arts by providing a community context and venue for professional artists in dance, music, theatre, visual, literary and media arts.
- Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Toolkit
  
  With support from the Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) has developed the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Toolkit, wanting to build welcoming and inclusive communities and combat racism and discrimination. The toolkit aligns closely with the goals of the human rights commission to build inclusive and welcoming communities and reduce racism and discrimination.
  
  This Toolkit was designed to assist Municipalities in Alberta wishing to take action to reduce racism and discrimination and build welcoming and inclusive communities. It was developed to serve as a tool for Municipalities pursuing a “Social Inclusion” and/or “Building Welcoming Communities” Agenda and to support Municipalities that are joining the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD) initiative.
Youth
- A Place for Culture: Developing a local culture offer for all children and young people – 112KB (2010)
  
  This document sets out a vision that all children, no matter where they live or what their background, should have the opportunity to enjoy high-quality cultural experiences in and out of school.
- The Art in Peacemaking: A Guide to Integrating Conflict Resolution Education Into Youth Arts Programs – 1344KB (2002)
  
  This resource guide provides information and tools that introduce arts teachers to conflict resolution skills and processes. The guide also contains various arts-based exercises that can be used to introduce conflict resolution concepts to young people in the classroom. These exercises serve merely as a starting point; arts teachers are encouraged to develop their own activities that will work best within the settings in which they teach. Because this guide was developed after four years of the Partnership’s initiative to integrate conflict resolution into arts programs, it contains descriptions of how arts organizations have integrated conflict resolution into their work with youth, schools, and other community organizations.
- Using the arts and culture to deliver positive activities for young people – 2206KB (2009)
  
  Presentation about Arts Council England in partnership with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) staged three one day events in July 2009 to increase understanding of how the arts and culture can help deliver positive activities for young people and National Indicator 110. NI 110 aims to measure and drive improved performance in the proportion of young people participating in positive activities.
- Vancouver, BC – Watch yOUR step! – 78KB (2002)
  
  Sidewalk mosaic project undertaken by Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver to outreach to street-involved youth and to raise awareness of their issues.
- What’s the point? Using drama to engage young people at risk – 84KB (2006)
  
  This report summarises the findings of case study research into a drama based Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) project. The project was delivered using the Drama Enrichment materials which form part of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) PLUS strategy. Executive Summary.

Cultural Districts

Cultural Districts
- Municipal Development of Cultural Spaces: Illuminating the Contributions of Municipal Governments to the Development of Cultural Spaces – 9550KB (2005)
  
  This research project was designed to examine a selective sample of approximately twenty examples in each category (public gallery, studio theatre, multi-use cultural space). Attempts were made to select facilities in communities that possess similarities to Whitehorse; considerations in this matching include comparable size communities, relative regional significance, and northern or remote location. It was not possible to match examples to every attribute, particularly the studio theatres; nonetheless, best efforts were made to select a relevant sample.
- Port Coquitlam, BC – Development study for Community Arts Village – 2714KB
  
  Development study for the creation of a “community arts village” in downtown Port Coquitlam, based on community cultural development principles.
- Vancouver, BC – Co-operative planning partnership between Province and City for cultural precinct – 47KB (2006)
  
  Press release for a planning partnership that began initial development work on establishing a cultural precinct in Downtown Vancouver that will review the City’s long-term and short-term cultural priorities.
- Whitehorse, YT – Catalysts: A review of organizations and cities that provide cultural infrastructure & Culture’s role in supporting economic and cultural tourism development – 651KB
  
  This paper was commissioned to identify cultural organizations, cities and regions where cultural policies and infrastructure have acted as a catalyst to: develop underutilized physical assets, transform declining neighbourhoods and diversify traditional economies. Through our analysis of cultural development case studies worldwide, it becomes clear that this sector makes an important economic contribution to communities, as well as social and qualitative.
- Whitehorse, YT – Cultural Spaces on the Whitehorse Waterfront – 278KB
  
  This report is based upon information gathered by ASN during its 2004 survey and planning process as well as consultations conducted in 2005 between February 15th and March 15th with Whitehorse based artists, arts organizations, cultural entrepreneurs and business owners and industry associations.
- Whitehorse, YT – On the Waterfront: The vision of Artspace North for Whitehorse Waterfront Development – 503KB
  
  This report describes the collective vision of the members of Artspace North for the development of the Whitehorse Waterfront. The report also includes an extensive list of studies and articles that describe other successful urban development projects with a cultural theme and explain how culture generates economic growth. These studies are available upon request from Artspace North.

Cultural Facilities

Arts and Community Centres
- Participation in Arts and Culture: The Importance of Community Venues – 350KB (2003)
  
  US study finds that more people attend arts and cultural events in community venues than in conventional arts venues (2003).
- Port Coquitlam, BC – Development study for Community Arts Village – 2714KB (2003)
  
  Development study for the creation of a “community arts village” in downtown Port Coquitlam, based on community cultural development principles.
Arts Incubators and Creative Clusters
- Artist centers: evolution and impact on careers, neighborhoods and economies – 9399KB (2006)
  
  Over the past generation, a unique form of dedicated space for artists has emerged in the United States. Minnesota serves as a laboratory in this study to explore the impact of artists’ centres on artists and on regions and neighbourhoods. The state and its major metro area—the Twin Cities of Minneapolis–St. Paul—host high concentrations of artists, with their ranks growing relatively rapidly over two decades. In tandem with other elements in the region, the extraordinary density and quality of artists’ centres contribute to the state’s artistic reputation.
- Toronto, ON – The 215 Centre for Social Innovation – 975KB
  
  Overview & Request for Support for a proposed “Centre for Social Innovation” making re-use of a heritage building for progressive social, arts and culture organizations.
Facility Development
- Cultural Facilities Development: Steps to Implementation – 55KB
  
  Recommended steps and task list for the development of cultural facilities from a community perspective, covering both planning and implementation.
- Cultural Facilities Study Summary – 46KB (2003)
  
  The National Cultural Facilities Study was based on conversations with artists, arts organizations, arts funders, government agencies and others, as well as on an analysis of financial information from individual organizations. We found that while weaknesses exist in the way arts facilities are developed and managed, some of the arts community’s strengths–fundraising ability; entrepreneurial skill; resiliency and significant earned revenues (to name a few) augur well for improvement. We found a great deal of demand for help among arts managers and others in the arts community. We present below a summary of our findings.
- Deciding on a Facility Project – 379KB (2003)
  
  In the first article in this series we discussed the importance of understanding all the dimensions of a facility project before you start. How much money, time and energy is this project really going to cost your organization? The next question is whether such a project is the right step for your organization.
- Facility Development 101 – 105KB (2002)
  
  Sue Harvey’s Facility Development 101 session at the Creative City Network conference, November 9, 2002. Accompanied by a Powerpoint.
  “What I’ll do is run through a couple of things about facility strategic planning from a municipality’s perspective, and then really take a facility through what I think are the essential planning steps that are necessary for success.”
- Facility Development 101 b – 76KB (2002)
  
  Powerpoint accompanying Sue Harvey’s Facility Development 101 session at the Creative City Network conference, November 9, 2002.
  “What I’ll do is run through a couple of things about facility strategic planning from a municipality’s perspective, and then really take a facility through what I think are the essential planning steps that are necessary for success.”
- Funding a new cultural facility: Should you begin construction before every dollar is in place? – 61KB (2000)
  
  Creative City Network of Canada. Examples, issues, and advice. (Culture-L archives – June-July 2000)
- Glossary of facilities, real estate and financial terms – 172KB (2003)
  
  Glossary of facilities, real estate and financial terms.
- Moving Guide – 56KB (2003)
  
  This guide describes the moving process. It discusses who is involved when, how to manage a schedule and budget, how to prepare for the move, select a mover, and manage the move. It is written primarily for executive directors of small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations.
- Moving Schedule – 36KB (2003)
  
  This chart shows a hypothetical fast-track move for a nonprofit organization, based on the assumption that it is for a 5,000 square foot space, there is no renovation or construction, and the move takes place over a weekend. Use a move schedule as a way to communicate with your staff, old and new building management, movers, contractors and consultants.
- Pitfalls and Dangers to AvoidPitfalls and Dangers to Avoid – 381KB (2003)
  
  In the second article of this series we talked about what to take into account when deciding whether to go ahead with a facility project. This entails recognizing that a major project represents risk to your organization, and that due diligence should be exercised so the full scale and nature of the risk is understood before you make the decision to proceed.
  Having done that, you’ve cleared your first hurdle and are now ready to face the challenges of construction. Though not as potentially dangerous to your organization as making the wrong decision initially, the project itself will provide plenty of opportunities for missteps, many of which can be costly…most of which can be avoided.
- Vancouver – Naming Rights and Commemorative Naming Policies, Civic Community Facilities – 176KB (2006)
  
  City of Vancouver Policy Report. The purpose of this report is to recommend approval of the Naming Policies which will provide a clear set of guidelines and a decision-making framework for Council and City staff to consider naming requests for Civic Community Facilities. It addresses naming rights where an exchange of monies take place (Naming Rights Policy, Civic Community Facilities) and for naming rights where there is no financial consideration (Commemorative Naming Rights, Civic Community Facilities).
- What is a Facility Project? – 193KB (2003)
  
  Most people know a facility project when they see one–buying or renting a building, renovation, office build-out, major repairs or systems upgrades. Not a difficult question to answer until you have to figure out how much the project is going to cost. Then, the definition of a facilities project broadens considerably. The question becomes, “how much and in what ways will this project have a financial impact on my organization?”
Libraries
- Bibliography on cultural programming in public libraries – 53KB (2005)
  
  Cull, John (2005). References compiled by John Cull, Head Librarian, Fine Arts and Music Division, Vancouver Public Library.
  
  N.b. This resource contains expired contact information.
Museums and Archives
- Burnaby, BC – Museum Policy – 150KB (2003)
  
  Museum policy adopted in May 2003 to guide planning and management.
- Dissolution or Closing of a Museum – 132KB (2009)
  
  Municipal policy outlining procedures related to permanently closing a museum.
- GLAM Study Toolkit
  
  Practical tips and tools for using the results of the Study of the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) sector.
Theatres Galleries and Other Facilities
- Spruce Grove, AB – Theatre Advisory Board Agreement Sample – 72KB (2005)
  
  Horizon Stage has a Theatre Advisory Board with a somewhat complicated organizational structure in that it represents both the City of Spruce Grove and Parkland County, which cost shares with the city on the operation of Horizon Stage.

Cultural Tourism

Background Reading and Research
- Attracting Audiences in Ontario’s Big Cities: Attractions at Home and while Travelling among Toronto and Ottawa Residents – 286KB (2002)
  
  Major attractions in the Toronto area (including the Art Gallery of Ontario, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Ontario Science Centre, Royal Botanical Gardens, Royal Ontario Museuem, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership, and the City of Toronto) provided support for Research Resolutions & Consulting Ltd. to undertake a special analysis of Statistics Canada’s Tourism Activity and Motivation Survey (TAMS) from a resident perspective. The project was designed to provide attractions in the Toronto and Ottawa/Hull Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with a better understanding of what types of cultural and entertainment activities residents participate in at home and when they travel.
- Canada’s Heritage Tourism Enthusiasts – A Special Analysis of the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS): Executive Summary – 118KB (2002)
  
  In order to obtain a better understanding of the potential size, characteristics and interests of Canadian activity-based market segments, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) commissioned Research Resolutions & Consulting Ltd. to undertake special analyses and reports based on the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS). This report focuses on Heritage Tourism Enthusiasts — Canadians who have taken leisure trips in Canada and exhibit a particular interest in heritage-oriented activities when they travel.
- Cultural and Heritage Tourism in Australia – 585KB (2006)
  
  Domestic and international visitors participate in a range of activities while travelling in Australia. This snapshot presents a profile of domestic and
  international visitors who participated in cultural and heritage activities during 2006.
- Cultural Tourism and Business Opportunities for Museums and Heritage Sites – 224KB (2002)
  
  This paper considers the opportunities for the continued development of cultural tourism, with a focus on museums and heritage sites in urban settings. It is based on the main findings of the cultural tourism strategy completed last year by LORD Cultural Resources for the Province of Ontario. The study is called Strategic Directions for Ontario’s Cultural Tourism Product. The central strategies developed in that study will be applied to the notion that heritage organizations need to communicate to existing and potential supporters their important role in helping to meet not only the preservation and educational needs of a community, but also wider community needs such as tourism, economic development and downtown revitalization.
- Cultural Tourism vs. Sport Tourism vs. Event Tourism – 59KB (2003)
  
  Brief discussion paper on the frequent competition between culture and sport for tourism development funding and keeping the focus of tourism development on community development. Written for the Creative City Network.
- Factors Influencing Visitor’s Choices of Urban Destinations in North America – 1260KB (2004)
  
  The purpose of this study was to quantify the factors that influence consumers’ choices of large urban destinations in North America. The results of the study are meant to help planners in evaluating the tourism impacts of projects under consideration. The study includes 10 Canadian cities and 40 US cities. “Attractors” were grouped into 4 categories: Arts & Culture, Environment & Built Form, Entertainment, and Accommodation & Food.
- Ontario Analyses of Travel Activities and Motivations Survey – 94KB
  
  A series of research reports based on special analyses of the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey can be downloaded from the website of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation. This is the Table of Contents. Some cultural tourism-related examples: Cultural and Entertainment Segmentation Report; The Opera Market of the Toronto–Oshawa Hamilton Region; The Market for Live Theatre in the Toronto–Oshawa Hamilton Region; The Market for Live Theatre, Opera & Ballet in Selected U.S. States & Cities; Aboriginal Tourism Report; The Impact of Aging the Canadian Market on Tourism in Ontario.
- Ontario’s Overnight Cultural Tourist Market 2004 and Its Economic Impact in Ontario – 631KB (2006)
  
  This report focuses on overnight cultural visitors to Ontario in 2004 — visitors from Canada or abroad who: participated in cultural activities; visited a zoo, museum, art gallery, historic site or natural history display; attended festivals, fairs, cultural events, or aboriginal/native cultural activities.
- Place as Product: A Place-Based Approach to Cultural Tourism (2013)
  
  “Cultural tourism is a fast-growing and lucrative segment of the North American travel industry. However, for a city or region to realize its potential for cultural tourism, its destination marketing organization (DMO) must: possess a holistic understanding of culture, understand the city or region’s cultural character, and understand the travel motivations and behaviours of cultural tourists. These “three understandings” then become the basis for cultural tourism that is place-based rather than attractions-based. Capitalizing on a destination’s unique identity, cultural character, and “sense of place”, placed-based cultural tourism maximizes a destination’s appeal to cultural tourists, and maximizes a destination’s profit from cultural tourism. ”
  
  This article originally appeared in the September 2008 issue of Municipal World. Revised in 2013.
- U.S. Heritage Travel Enthusiasts – A Special Analysis of the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS): Executive Summary – 114KB (2002)
  
  In order to obtain a better understanding of the potential size, characteristics and interests of American activity-based market segments, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) commissioned Research Resolutions & Consulting Ltd. to undertake special analyses and reports based on the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS). This report focuses on Heritage Tourism Enthusiasts — Americans who have taken leisure trips in Canada and exhibit a particular interest in heritage oriented activities when they travel.
Examples and Project Profiles
- Okanagan Region, BC – The Okanagan Cultural Corridor – 92KB (2004)
  
  The Okanagan Cultural Corridor is a cultural tourism initiative encompassing 3 regional districts, over 25 communities, and more than 210 cultural providers. The Kelowna-based organization functions as a regional marketing and development vehicle for cultural tourism. It is working to develop cultural tourism routes in the region, set up a tourism performance tracking program for cultural attractions, and create a ‘clearing house’ of information, tools and advocacy for the entire cultural sector in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys of British Columbia. An update written by Sandra Kochan for the Creative City Network, March 2004.
Policies, Plans, and Strategies
- Aboriginal Tourism in Canada – Atiik Aski: Land of the Caribou – 1273KB
  
  A guide to developing community-based and Aboriginal tourism. The guide identifies and describes eight best practices derived from a community tourism development strategic planning process carried out over two years by 13 communities in northwestern Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan.
  
  This case study of the Northwest Manitoba Regional Tourism Strategy, Atiik Askii: Land of the Caribou, identifies and describes eight best practices derived from a community tourism development strategic planning process carried out over two years by 13 communities — 12 located in northwestern Manitoba and one in eastern Saskatchewan. Community and economic development practitioners attempting community tourism development may find that considering and/or adopting these practices in their planning processes can help stakeholders ensure and enrich a successful outcome. The study is based on field interviews with those key participants in the strategic planning process.
- Halifax Regional Municipality, NS – Heritage Tourism Strategy – 545KB (2001)
  
  In 1996, the Halifax Regional Municipality began a process of review and consolidation of heritage and cultural services. In 1998, the mandate of the Halifax Regional Tourism Department was expanded to include heritage and culture. In 1999, staff were brought together from planning and museum branches and tasked to meet with the community to develop a heritage strategy that met three goals: to improve public efficiency, reduce dependency on the municipality and to enhance sustainable opportunities. The HRM Heritage Tourism Strategy was developed in 2001 to address these goals.
- Toronto, ON – Five Year Tourism Action Plan – 937KBNOTE: date range for plan is 2003-2008 (2003)
  
  To provide City Council and the broader tourism industry with a practical plan of action for revitalizing the city’s tourism industry over the 2003-2007 period. Priority Three: Enhancing Tourism Product refers directly to cultural institutions, organizations, and special events.

Sustainability

Background Reading and Research
- Arts and Culture in the Metropolis Strategies for Sustainability – 148KB (2007)
  
  After three and a half decades of unprecedented growth, the nonprofit arts face an environment that threatens to stunt that growth and raises the prospect of future consolidation. This situation poses severe challenges to the sustainability of local arts sectors. … This study has three goals: (1) to identify the sources and characteristics of this new environment, (2) to describe the ways local arts communities are responding to new challenges, and (3) to analyze Philadelphia’s arts sector and recommend potential solutions to its sustainability problems.
- Arts and Ecological Sustainability Report – 217KB (2009)
  
  This report provides examples of good practice in supporting artists or arts organisations with creative and practical responses to ecological concerns. The research was undertaken in collaboration with Arts Council England, which was looking to identify potential partners with whom to develop its own work in this area. This report contains a commentary and analysis of the responses to the D’art query from IFACCA’s network written by ACE’s John Hartley, and includes background and context, a full digest of responses, and links to information resources.
- Mapping the Terrain of Contemporary EcoART Practice and Collaboration – 167KB (2006)
  
  Explores trends, issues and advances in EcoART collaborations among artists, environmental groups, communities and scientists. Beyond this, it considers suggestions for the future of such collaborations, including how this work might be better supported. In order to be locally-relevant to meeting participants, there is a particular focus on Canadian works and more specifically, on those from the Western part of the country. The intention of this report is to provide an overview of collaborative practice in arts and ecology, rather than projects, and so while specific projects and/or practitioners are brought forward as illustrative, this paper is not meant as a catalogue of practitioners or works.
- Social Sustainability and the Art of Engagement—the Small Towns: Big Picture Experience – 167KB (2005)
  
  Governments everywhere are recognizing environmental sustainability as a major driver of technological and economic development—with innovative direction being found at the interface of our efforts to become more socially and environmentally sustainable. Rural communities, faced with the pressures of unprecedented change, have an opportunity to embrace the principles of sustainable development, to create a new future at the leading edge of global change—but they need help. They need both knowledge and skills to enable them to self-evaluate and strategically plan, and they need a highly motivated, creative, and coherent community to carry it through. Small Towns: Big Picture is a community development process designed to foster creative, energetic, and collaborative action by five small rural communities in central Victoria—focusing on the development of social, environmental, and economic sustainability indicators. The project bought together artists, researchers and local communities to produce a coherent and shared understanding of the sustainability issues and opportunities. This paper presents Small Towns: Big Picture, focusing specifically on the social dimension and the development of a Community Cohesion indicator through an arts-led community engagement process.

Urban and Rural Studies

Background Reading and Research
- Artists by Neighbourhood in Canada – 1199KB (2005)
  
  This report provides an analysis of artists residing in various postal regions – “neighbourhoods” – across Canada. The study is based on a custom data request from Statistics Canada’s 2001 census, conceived of and commissioned by Hill Strategies Research.
- Artists in Large Canadian Cities – 1735KB (2006)
  
  This report provides an analysis of artists residing in 92 large municipalities across Canada. “Large municipalities” are defined as those cities with at least 50,000 residents in 2001.
- Artists in Small and Rural Municipalities in Canada – 1529KB (2006)
  
  This report finds significant concentrations of artists in small and rural municipalities across Canada. The study is based on a custom data request from Statistics Canada’s 2001 census, conceived of and commissioned by Hill Strategies Research.
- Arts and culture in regeneration – 237KB (2006)
  
  A review of international literature related to arts and culture in regeneration, presented at the World Summit on Arts asnd Culture held in NewcatleGateshead, England, in June 2006.
- Come as You Are: Informal Arts Participation in Urban and Rural Communities – 80KB (2010)
  
  Attendance at performing arts events and art museums is greater in urbanized areas. However, urban and rural residents generally participate in the “informal arts” (activities often unaffiliated with for-profit and nonprofit arts organizations) at similar rates.
- Cultural Development Strategies and Urban Revitalization: A survey of US cities – 117KB (2007)
  
  Municipal governments around the globe increasingly turn to museums, performing arts centers, arts districts, and other cultural activities to promote and revitalize their cities. While a significant body of literature examines revitalization strategies that focus primarily around entertainment and commerce, the empirical body of research that specifically investigates the role of cultural strategies in urban redevelopment is still growing. This paper first discusses the development of municipal cultural strategies in the United States, and draws from the literature to outline the characteristics of three different models of such strategies. Second, the paper presents findings from a national survey distributed to municipal agencies involved in the promotion and development of cultural activities and facilities in large and medium-sized US cities. The survey data indicate that although most agencies are guided by a varied set of goals, entrepreneurial objectives continue to guide the development and support of cultural activities in most cities.
- Culture in Small and Rural Communities – 208KB (2010)
  
  In this issue: A number of recent reports have examined how the arts can contribute to the quality of life as well as the social and economic well-being of small and rural communities. These reports have also examined factors that attract artists or contribute to the vitality of the arts in small and rural communities.
- Does Cultural Activity Make a Difference to Community Capacity? A key question addressed by the Small Towns: Big Picture project. – 184KB (2003)
  
  Paper presented to the National Congress of Local Government Managers: Many rural communities are confronted with a host of unprecedented challenges, caused by globalisation and economic restructure, community fragmentation as a result of service withdrawal, and increasing distrust in political processes. These pressures have emphasised the need to re-kindle creative energies and build community capacity to effectively respond in determining their own future. Small Towns: Big Picture was a community development process designed to foster creative, energetic and collaborative action by 5 small rural communities in central Victoria – focusing specifically on the development of social, environmental, and economic sustainability indicators. The project bought together artists, researchers and local communities to produce a coherent and shared understanding of the sustainability issues and opportunities. The main question addressed here concerns the role of the arts in building community capacity – more specifically, what difference did the cultural activity make to the engagement of people in the process, and their ability to act to improve their social, cultural and economic well-being?
- Edge Cities: Competitive and Collaborative Creative Economy Strategies for Surrey – 1705KB (2008)
  
  (A White Paper for the Surrey Economic Summit Contributing to the Liveable Cities Theme) This paper makes the case for a new framework to make Surrey the best place for creative workers to live, work and contribute to sustainable economic growth and overall quality of life. Rising property taxes, rents and inflation in the value of industrial and office property have set up the preconditions for a migration of the so-called ‘creatives’ to the ‘edge cities’ in North America. Surrey’s designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2008 offers an opportunity to consolidate a creative city strategy that is not found in the recent Parks, Recreation and Culture Plan (2007-2017) endorsed by its City Council in July 2008. The most effective strategy for edge cities to adopt is to complement but differentiate from the cultural competencies of the core cities, while seeking new cooperative partnerships with others at the edge. As BC’s second largest city, Surrey should develop a specialised and separate cultural/creative planning capacity, instate a city grants program and other support programs, and cooperate in a feasibility study for mapping and expanding regional creative labour and enterprise capacity.
- One Vision, Many Voices: How to Build a Sustainable Rural Canada – 4026KB (2008)
  
  In July 2008, the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) hosted a national symposium – Rural Matters! Forging Healthy Canadian Communities. The goal was to bring together delegates from across the nation to discuss important issues pertaining to rural Canada. Over the course of the symposium, eight rural sustainability workshops were held to help set key priorities for rural Canada to focus on in the years to come. Based on the common themes of these priorities and other discussions held during the symposium, seven recommendations were derived to be presented to governments and stakeholders on how to build a sustainable rural Canada.
- Strengthening Rural Economies through the Arts – 307KB (2005)
  
  Every state has areas with rural characteristics. Rural areas are often noted for providing an enhanced quality of life and some of the highly distinctive and treasured dimensions of a state’s culture and character. However, these regions also may face economic development challenges such as geographic isolation from metropolitan areas, infrastructure deficiencies, poor links with metropolitan and global markets, and the flight of skilled human resources to metropolitan regions. States have successfully addressed these challenges through the arts.