This may be of interest to archives in any of these regions.
Iona McCraith, AAO Preservation Consultant

----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 12:06 PM
Subject: [onmuse-l] Municipal Cultural Planning Forums to be held in April


>
> Municipal Cultural Planning and Economic Renewal to be Discussed at Five
> Regional Forums in April
>
> Orillia - April 19
> Peterborough - April 20
> Sudbury - April 22
> Mississauga - April 27
> Cambridge - April 28
>
>
>
> AMO is pleased to announce a series of forums in Orillia, Peterborough,
> Sudbury, Mississauga and Cambridge that will profile leading ideas and
> practice in municipal cultural planning. AMO has partnered with the
> Ministry of Culture, Community Cultural Impresarios, and the Centre for
> Cultural Management at the University of Waterloo, as well as seven other
> provincial ministries and agencies and a range of other cultural, business
> and academic organizations to deliver the forums. Former Winnipeg Mayor
> Glen Murraywill anchor each event as a keynote speaker.
>
>  AMO President Roger Anderson: “I am pleased about AMO’s involvement in
the
> forums. Ontario municipalities recognize that cultural resources are
> increasingly important to building healthy and prosperous communities. The
> Government of Ontario has identified municipal cultural planning as a
> priority. The Federal Government calls culture the “fourth pillar” of
> sustainable cities of the future. The regional forums provide an excellent
> opportunity for Ontario municipalities to share experience and learn from
> good practices elsewhere in Canada and the world.”
>
> Why Culture? Why Now?
>
> Several factors are driving increased attention to municipal cultural
> development. The first is quality of place and place competitiveness.
> Research by Richard Florida and Meric Gertler confirms that quality of
> place is a key competitive advantage for cities in attracting and
retaining
> people. Key to quality of place is uniqueness and authenticity – a product
> of a distinctive local history, built heritage and natural landscapes, and
> a lively and diverse arts and cultural community.
>
> The decline of many traditional industries is also forcing municipalities
> to seek new sources of wealth creation and employment. Culture has become
a
> driver in many municipalities supporting downtown revitalization and
> cultural tourism strategies. Greater attention to culture is part of the
> larger global shift from an economy based on the production of goods and
> services to a knowledge-based economy focused on creativity and
innovation.
>
> Why municipal cultural planning?
>
> Municipal cultural planning as it is being practiced in leading
> municipalities is a significantly new perspective and approach to local
> cultural development. It is a broader, more inclusive and integrated
> approach that helps break down ‘silos’ and strengthen partnerships with
> local business.
>
> Target Audience
>
> The forums are intended for Elected officials, Municipal Staff (Chief
> Administrative Officers/City Managers, Town clerks, Economic development
> officers, Urban planners, Cultural planners and staff, Planners and staff
> from Parks and Recreation, Community Services), Local cultural leaders
> (Arts, Heritage, Libraries and Cultural Businesses and Industries) and
> Business and community leaders.
>
> Registration is necessary to attend a forum.  For registration information
> and forum dates and locations, please visit www.amo.on.ca/MCPF/MCPF.htm
>
> The forums have been made possible through the generous financial support
> of:
> Ontario Ministry of Culture, Regional Services Branch of Ontario Ministry
> Citizenship and Immigration, Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Samuel and
> Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation and Host municipalities of City of
> Orillia, City of Peterborough, City of Greater Sudbury, City of
> Mississauga, Town of Oakville, Region of Waterloo, City of Cambridge, City
> of Kitchener and City of Waterloo.
>
> For more information contact: Leah (Prentice) Bayly, Forums Project
> Coordinator
> [log in to unmask], (705) 742-7777 ext. 1494, (705)
748-8824
> FAX
>