Cultural Planning and Community Engagement

Course description

A majority of cities across Canada now consist of large ethno-cultural and racialized communities. This workshop will highlight the importance of engaging in arts, culture and cultural planning to build communities of cultural pride, harmony and liberation. In this workshop, discussions will include:

• Why local governments have a duty to ensure that cultural planning is part of strategic plans and Official Community Plans as culture represents the fourth and often invisible pillar of sustainable development for cities (economic, environmental, social, cultural pillars);
• Introducing the importance of cultural mapping in order for local governments to work collaboratively with arts and culture groups, intercultural organizations and faith-based organizations; and
• Exploring how effective and equitable community engagement practices with the “right” people can be conducted between municipalities and their diverse communities.