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Culture, Creativity, and the Arts: Achieving Community Resilience and Sustainability through the Arts in Sault Ste. Marie

Last Updated on June 10th, 2010
 

Project Title: Culture, Creativity, and the Arts: Achieving Community Resilience and Sustainability through the Arts in Sault Ste. Marie

Project Number: CL5-01-NO

Term of Project: 2006/2007 to April 2007

Status: Completed

Academic Researcher:

Student Researcher:

Community Researchers:

Community Partners:

Project Summary:

This project investigates the role that the arts play in increasing community resilience by providing opportunities for engagement, increasing pride, optimism, developing and deepening social relations, networks and critical consciousness of the interdependent and interconnectedness of a community. It also provides a socio-economic impact assessment of the contribution the arts make to the city of Sault Ste. Marie.

Specific Project-Level Research Objectives:

Expected Deliverables:

  1. Report

Findings:

The final research report was presented to the Arts Council. The report has been endorsed by several other groups and is being presented to city council for its endorsement. There have been several positive outcomes to date:

  • There is now a much better understanding within the community leadership about the connection between culture and economy.
  • The research has produced documentation that the arts community can use to move forward and use as a basis for funding leverage.
  • The experience of participating in the research has revitalized the arts association and, thereby, the community and, ultimately, the whole community.
  • The research has provided the Arts Council with something around which to crystallize their planning and has contributed to a community building process.

Project Poster: Poster (pdf)

Final Report: Final Report (pdf)

Projected Expenditures: $11,000 (internship)

In-Kind Contributions:

Publicity:

Dissemination Activities:

Meetings:

  • Savory-Gordon, L. & Ortiz, J. (2005, September) Presentation of Resilience Research Findings. Symposium conducted at the Community Leaders Forum, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (Audience: community developers, CED and co-operative practitioners, private sector, politicians, and community members)
  • Savory-Gordon, L. & Ortiz, J. (2005, November) Presentation of Resilience Research Findings. Symposium conducted at the Community Leaders Forum, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (Audience: community developers, CED and co-operative practitioners, private sector, politicians, and community members)
  • Savory-Gordon, L. & Ortiz, J. (2006, February) Presentation of Resilience Research Findings: Community Resilience Sault Ste. Marie Portrait. Symposium conducted at the Community Leaders Forum, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (Audience: community developers, CED and co-operative practitioners, private sector, politicians, and community members)
  • Savory-Gordon, L. & Ortiz, J. (2006, May) Presentation of Resilience Research Findings and Recommendations for an Action/Implementation Plan. Symposium conducted at the Community Leaders Forum, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (Audience: community developers, CED and co-operative practitioners, private sector, politicians, and community members)
  • Multiple Presentations: Culture, Creativity and the Arts: Achieving Community Resilience and Sustainability in Sault Ste. Marie. PowerPoint and research report presentation to the City Council of Sault Ste. Marie on February 11, 2008. Presentations also made to the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie & Area Youth Council of Sault Ste. Marie, Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Business Association, Destiny Sault Ste. Marie, Economic Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie, and the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce. All passed resolutions in support of the report.

Conference:

  • Savory-Gordon, L. & Ortiz, J. (2007, May) Community Resilience Research Findings: Community Resilience Sault Ste. Marie Portrait. Symposium conducted at the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Regional Economic Development Branch Conference, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. (Audience: community developers, forestry industry workers, and community members)
  • Savory-Gordon, L. & Ortiz, J. (2007, May) Community Resilience and Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains. Symposium conducted at the Bio Eco Socio Conference, Hearst, ON. (Audience: community developers, forestry industry workers, and community members)

Additional Notes: