Culture Plan 2008 - 2018

10 Year Vision

Over the next ten years, the core vision of the Culture Plan is to develop, Friday, April 11, 2008 the City of Vancouver to the benefit of our citizens, our creative community, our business sector and our visitors.

Because culture is the cornerstone upon which vibrant resilient, competitive and creative industries are built, the City is committed to supporting the growth and diversity of cultural activities and offerings in Vancouver.

Like any healthy ecosystem, our cultural ecosystem will continue to flourish because of the diversity and interdependence of its players, including individual artists, the not-for-profit sector, the creative industries and a wide range of cultural consumers.  This diversity will serve as source of strength and inspiration for artists and creators and be respected and celebrated by Vancouver citizens.

Cultural awareness and understanding will be the hallmark of city-making in Vancouver; culture will be seen as a critical dimension of development, a benchmark of maturity, sophistication and tolerance.

A number of important elements make up a vital and functioning ecosystem:  individual artists, business, government, the creative not-for profit and for-profit sectors, visitors and citizens at large.  One way to begin understanding the complex set of relationships between all these players is by looking more closely at the Cycle of Engagement and Activity (see fig 1.1).  This cycle typically begins with individuals and groups accessing and participating in cultural activities and ends in a renewed and heightened recognition of the value of creativity in our city that is experienced first locally and is followed by possible national and international reverberations.

This chain of activities is part of a continuous cycle of renewal – with increased engagement, there is greater participation; greater participation provides the community of support and resources to invest in the vitality of the endeavour.  Awareness and recognition increases engagement and participation, continuing the cycle.

Conceptual Model (fig. 1.1)

This means we must pay careful attention to all aspects of the cycle – in community engagement, in building a broad base of audiences and support, and in strengthening the organizations and systems which support artists and creators, all of which will drive the quality and perception of cultural value.

It also means embedding cultural considerations and development in all aspects of city-making – in our economic development, land use, transportation and facilities planning.  And it means working with our civic partners – our libraries, community centres, neighbourhood houses and social systems to ensure that cultural events of all kinds are accessible and affordable for our citizens.

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