ARTS & The County of Brant Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy receives unanimous approval from Council

County of Brant, ON – The County of Brant is excited to announce that its Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy has received unanimous approval following the Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Council meeting.

“We are thrilled to be moving forward with the Strategy,” said Mayor David Bailey. “The Strategy is designed to build and foster a culture in the County of Brant where people feel connected and have a sense of pride for the local arts, culture and heritage found in their own community”

Following Council direction, County of Brant staff engaged with ERA Architects in May 2023 to help craft the new strategy The Strategy was informed by research and community engagement with County of Brant staff, Council, community members and Indigenous partners, which resulted in a plan that is responsive to the unique needs of the County of Brant, stated a press release issued by the County this week The Strategy, broken into three phases, presents Vision, Objectives and Actions to guide the County of Brant’s efforts to conserve, support and promote local arts, culture and heritage over the next ten years. The timeline prioritizes foundational changes, and phases larger projects that may require the allocation of staff and financial resources in the future, the press release also stated.

Part one of the Strategy reviews existing conditions, providing an economic and demographic snapshot of the County, mapping cultural assets, and summarizing public engagement feedback.

Part two sets out the vision, objectives and actions of the Strategy which includes:

• Support Truth and Reconciliation through arts, culture and heritage initiatives, in connection with broader municipal Reconciliation programs.

• Provide an infrastructure of support for individuals, institutions, businesses, and organizations undertaking cultural initiatives.

• Facilitate a spoke-and-wheel model to support and promote the diverse, vibrant cultural activities occurring both within a central cultural hub and county-wide throughout Brant

• Foster a broadly inclusive cultural sector that supports residents and reflects their diverse experiences, perspectives, and cultural traditions.

• Conserve and celebrate Brant’s unique buildings, landscapes, and stories as cultural heritage assets

• Standardize municipal heritage planning practice with the Ontario Heritage Act and with municipal best practices across Ontario

Part three outlines considerations for implementation, including a timeline for the actions. The timeline prioritizes foundational changes and phases larger projects that may require the allocation of staff and financial resources in the future

“The Strategy serves as a 10-year plan to guide the County’s support of arts, culture and heritage,” said Kayla Cicman, Arts, Culture and Heritage Officer for the County of Brant “It features 6 objectives and 42 actions, each with a recommended timeline ranging from short term of 1 to 3 years, medium term of 4 to 6 years and long term of 7 to 10 years. Also highlighted through the Strategy are the economic and social benefits of culture which are wellrecognized worldwide and represent an emerging economic driver in Brant.

Ultimately, the Strategy establishes the vision and support for culture in the County; it aligns aspirations and resources around key goals, objectives and actions providing a roadmap that will enable the County to realize this vision in a fiscally responsible way.

This plan for active leadership and support will support growth in this vibrant sector for years to come.

For more information about Arts, Culture and Heritage in the County of Brant and to view the strategy, visit www.brant.ca/culture.