The problem with an ‘Arts and Culture Master Plan,’ consultant Greg Baeker of MDB Insight told the Bradford West Gwillimbury Heritage Committee, is that it seems to leave out ‘heritage.’
“’Arts and culture’ as a narrative is a little challenging,” Baeker said. “It marginalizes heritage,” even though so many of the Town’s cultural assets are also heritage assets.
He suggested that “talking about ‘Arts and Culture’ is a little like ‘broccoli and vegetables’.” Referring to it as just a ‘Cultural Master Plan’ should include all of the attributes of culture, including arts and heritage.
That said, Baeker invited the committee, at its Aug. 9 meeting, to contribute to the Master Plan by recommending future actions. “What actionable things are missing? Concrete things that you need,” to achieve the committee’s goals, he asked.
“Education,” said member Ian Cooper. While there may be verbal support for heritage in the community, few people have actually taken the time to read and familiarize themselves with local heritage issues, or local history. “What about the community you live in? They don’t make a connection with what’s local.”
Kids in school, Cooper said, may learn about the Fenian Raids that took place after the American Civil War; few are taught about the local connections that exist. “It all boils down to education.
“We need a museum,” said member Lynda Usher, not only as an educational tool, but to preserve local artifacts – which currently end up at the Simcoe County Museum in Minesing or the Museum on the Boyne in Alliston, if there is the room to accept them. The Museum on the Boyne has turned down several offered gifts of heritage items, because it has so little storage space.
Usher noted that the Bond Head Women’s Institute plans to pursue the concept of a museum. “It could start very, very small – but start educating!” she said.
Diane Milos agreed that a museum or some permanent display of the artifacts and historical documents is needed. “We don’t want to lose our roots,” she said, noting, “A lot of our roots are the Holland Marsh.”
“Use the buildings,” said Brenda Winter. A recent event held at the restored Auld Kirk church was very successful; she suggested that other events could be held in other heritage spaces. “Get people to come and see the designated sites by using them.”
Winter added, “It doesn’t always have to be big. We have to start welcoming people to our (heritage) buildings.”
Coun. Ron Orr, chairing the meeting, noted that an inventory of spaces that could be used for cultural events in BWG is already underway.
Baeker took notes, and thanked the committee for their input.
