What does Bradford West Gwillimbury do right when it comes to arts and culture?
What could it do better?
And what are the steps that can be taken, to ensure a vibrant arts and culture sector in the community?
Those were questions that consultant Greg Baeker of MDB Insight posed at a public open house and workshop for a new BWG arts and culture masterplan.
The process began with a “cultural mapping” of the municipality, Baeker told the 30 participants who came out for the June 18 session.
“It’s really building an inventory of the cultural assets in the community,” he said, adding that includes community cultural opportunities, volunteer groups, festivals and events.
The inventory identified 53 “cultural enterprises “ in Bradford West Gwillimbury, seven community groups, 16 facilities and spaces, and 16 festivals and community events — a solid basis for moving forward, he said.
Some of the things participants said the town does well are Carrot Fest, Bradford Arts Centre’s new youth arts program, the BWG Public Library’s programs, and initiatives by the BWG Local History Association.
But they also identified gaps, such as the absence of gallery space and venues for theatre and performance arts — and funding.
“We don’t want to put it on the taxpayer base,” said BWG Coun. Ron Orr.
“We need to promote or sell our cultural identity to the people of Bradford,” suggested David Chambers. “It’s a selling job.”
The discussions were lively, the energy level high, as the groups proposed a number of actions — from the development of an arts and culture council that could pursue funding options, to the hiring of a professional co-ordinator to market and promote the wide range of activities, classes and cultural opportunities available in town.
Using the library as an information hub, offering internships to college students studying marketing, and a dedicated art space were all suggested as ways to promote the arts.
“I thought there was some consensus about venues, facilities, and marketing and communications,” said Baeker.
The next step will involve focus groups in early July to further provide input into the masterplan.
