Connections & Exchanges

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Connections & Exchanges promotes Edmonton as an arts, heritage and cultural centre and encourages recreational, cultural, artistic, and entertainment opportunities for all residents.

Overview

City Council directed the Edmonton Arts Council to lead the process of creating a plan to market Edmonton as an arts, heritage and cultural city. “Connections & Exchanges: A 10-Year Plan To Transform Arts and Heritage In Edmonton” was the result, and was a collective effort between the Edmonton Arts Council, Edmonton Heritage Council, Arts Habitat Edmonton and members of the community. The Plan was approved unanimously by City Council on October 23, 2018. It replaces The Art of Living plan (2008–2018).

The objective of this initiative is to:

Infuse culture, arts and heritage into every aspect of Edmonton’s civic fabric
Support cultural makers and interpreters
Grow Edmonton’s arts and heritage audiences

Alignment with Council’s Strategic Plan

Connections & Exchanges was developed at the same time as the City of Edmonton’s new strategic plan. The ambitions, aims and actions that make up Connections & Exchanges were influenced by, and are purposefully aligned with, the vision, principle and goals emerging from that process.

This plan also makes a commitment to the Indigenous peoples of this territory. While developing and carrying out implementation plans, the Edmonton Arts Council, Edmonton Heritage Council, and Arts Habitat Edmonton have committed to the following implementation principle:

*Indigenous peoples have agency in their journeys of revitalizing and participating in traditional, contemporary and future manifestations of their culture (page 59 of Connections & Exchanges ).

The principle recognizes that in order for vibrant and diverse Indigenous communities to thrive, cultural organizations need to support making space for Indigenous peoples to exercise autonomy.

Paint the Rails

The Paint the Rails project was a collaboration between Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) and the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights.

The project unveiled five murals, which were inspired by the participation of elders, their teachings and community perspectives.

View Paint the Rails Murals

Plan Components

The plan is contained in three separate books, one for each ambition. Alongside the actions and under each aim is the way the Measurement, Evaluation and Learning framework will be applied (“How We Will Measure Progress”).

Book I: Connections & Exchanges

The Beginning

The ambitions, aims and actions that form this plan will chart the change we’ll see in arts and heritage in Edmonton.

Book II: Ambition

Alive With Arts and Heritage

Arts and heritage are fundamental, essential elements of any operational, infrastructural public project - from refurbishments, to civic planning, to new transportation projects.
Aligns with the Strategic Plan: Healthy City and Urban Places.

Book III: Ambition

A Hub For Extraordinary Creation and Reputation

Edmonton is a beacon for cultural expression: a place that invites and supports new models of working together and encourages boldness in the production of work.
Aligns with the Strategic Plan: Healthy City, Regional Prosperity and Climate Resilience.

Book IV: Ambition

A Thriving and Well-Funded Arts and Heritage Ecosystem

Edmonton is a city that supports its cultural ecosystem with purpose, vision and flexibility.
Aligns with the Strategic Plan: Healthy City and Regional Prosperity.

Timeline

Phase 1 - Development

Status - Completed

Spring and Fall 2017:

Council Commissions a New 10-Year Plan
The Project Team is assembled
Advisory Group created to provide feedback

Spring-Winter 2018:

Engagement Sessions
Research Validation
Measurement, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework created
Plan crafted
Plan presented to key committees at the City of Edmonton
Plan approved by Edmonton City Council
Methodology developed

Phase II - Implementation

Status - Completed
2019-2022

Granting portfolio review to include:
- Community consultations
- Integration of best practices into program design
- Improved, streamlined approach to program delivery
Launch new granting programs, services and activities
Redesign operations, build information management capacity and integrate performance measurement
Leverage strategic partnerships to maximize community impact

Connections & Exchanges

Overview

Alignment with Council’s Strategic Plan

Paint the Rails

Plan Components

Book I: Connections & Exchanges

The Beginning

Book II: Ambition

Alive With Arts and Heritage

Book III: Ambition

A Hub For Extraordinary Creation and Reputation

Book IV: Ambition

A Thriving and Well-Funded Arts and Heritage Ecosystem

Timeline

Phase 1 - Development

Phase II - Implementation

City as Museum Project

Space for the Arts Map

Public Art Collection

Indigenous Framework Artwork

Connections & Exchanges

Overview

Alignment with Council’s Strategic Plan

Paint the Rails

The Beginning

Alive With Arts and Heritage

A Hub For Extraordinary Creation and Reputation

A Thriving and Well-Funded Arts and Heritage Ecosystem

Phase 1 - Development

Phase II - Implementation

City as Museum Project

Space for the Arts Map

Public Art Collection

Indigenous Framework Artwork

Additional Art Resources

Related Links

Related Documents