In the Media
The StarPhoenix, March 6, 2010

Local residents gather to discuss culture plan

BY DOYLE FOX

Saskatoon artists, musicians, curators and city planners gathered Friday at TCU Place to discuss the three-phase Culture Plan: An initiative to promote and strengthen cultural undertakings in Saskatoon.

The first phase just got underway and consists of discussions on artistic projects in Saskatoon.

"We are trying to put together a plan with some directions and ideas as to how to promote collaboration between the community and the city," said Kevin Kitchen, community initiatives manager for the City of Saskatoon.

Kitchen said the intent is to incorporate more culture in areas by the river as well as neighbourhoods throughout Saskatoon.

"We've acknowledged it in terms of economic generators," said Kitchen. "Theatres, museums and galleries can help rejuvenate neighbourhoods."

The city hired Office For Urbanism, a Toronto-based planning and design firm, to oversee the cultural plan.

"We think it's enormously exciting for the city of Saskatoon precisely because this is a place where there is a very distinct culture," said Jennifer Keesmaat, a partner with Office For Urbanism.

According to Kitchen, the idea to work toward a culture plan started in 2006, when Saskatoon was named a cultural capital for cities between 200,000 and 500,000 people.

As a cultural capital, the city of Saskatoon received a $2-million grant from the federal government to help promote culture.

"That was a really important signal to us as to the value of culture," Kitchen said.

"One of the outcomes was the culture plan."

Phase 2 of the culture plan consists of drafting a policy to present to city council, which is expected by this fall.

"There isn't a plan yet for council to commit to or approve, but we know that council is conscious of and respectful of the process and curious to see what comes forward," Keesmaat said.

Phase 3 consists of completing the policy and starting art and heritage plans in the city.

Kitchen did not have a timeline on when the third phase could begin and would not speculate on how much the projects involved in the plan would cost.

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