Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy

COMPLETED July 2020

The Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy (ACHS) was endorsed by Council on July 21, 2020. The ACHS recognizes the need for comprehensive approaches to planning and programming in order to maximize the cultural life of the community. Squamish recognizes that arts, culture and heritage programs, services and resources play increasingly important roles in enhancing civic pride, defining a distinct community identity, and attracting the talent and investment needed for cities to grow and prosper in a creative and knowledge-based economy.

The ACHS process to date includes the below phases:

Phase 1: Research and Development

Stakeholder identification and demographic analysis
Review interdependencies with the Arts, Culture and Heritage Portfolio
Review comparable community Arts, Culture and Heritage Plans.

Phase 2: Broad Community Engagement

Community Survey launched - 889 respondents
Intercept teams reached public events
Stakeholders empowered to rally the community to participate.

Phase 3: Stakeholder Engagement

Over 40 hours conducting 21 interviews with Stakeholders of the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector
2-part workshop series with stakeholders providing direction for strategic actions and outcomes
120 hours of stakeholder feedback received

Phase 4: Initial Draft for Council Feedback

Analysis of information
The draft strategy was created and presented for initial Council review
Feedback was received by Council and staff began work on suggested amendments

Phase 5: Amended Draft for Council Feedback

Review of Council feedback
The amended draft was presented for Council feedback
Council endorsed the draft being presented for the final phase of community engagement.

Phase 6: Community Feedback on Draft

Community survey launch
Stakeholder online presentation and feedback session
Staff review of the Strategy and implementation of applicable feedback.

Phase 7: Endorsement

The strategy was presented for Council endorsement.
Staff and the community are beginning to work on implementing Strategic Actions and Tactics.