Castlegar Develops Plan For Local Arts and Culture Sector

The City of Castlegar completed a cultural map – its first step towards developing a comprehensive cultural plan. With a $5,000 grant from Creative Communities, the City worked with the Castlegar Arts Council to document more than 100 organizations and individuals involved in arts and culture in the community. The map revealed that arts and heritage in Castlegar was an economic generator with an estimated $2.9 million annual impact on the economy. Also identified were the City’s strengths and assets, along with key gaps in the City’s arts and cultural community. The cultural map process lead to the creation of five strategies and key directions, and 39 separate recommendations.

The process encouraged residents to take part in creative and cultural activities by raising awareness of existing and possible cultural community initiatives. Most significantly, the City now has a vision for maximizing its resources in the community.

Creative Communities assists local governments to take stock of their cultural assets and identify strengths and challenges in their local arts and cultural sector. The program also guides governments through community consultations to determine how and where to expand local arts and cultural programs and projects. The program is supported by the Province of British Columbia.