The Town of Hanover has developed its first cultural plan.
Economic Development Manager April Marshall said the plan will promote Hanover as a creative and vibrant community with rich and diverse cultural resources.
She added culture contributes to growing the local economy and enhancing quality of life.
The cultural plan will establish a cultural vision and identify concrete strategies and actions to support cultural and broader economic development goals.
The first step in the Cultural Plan is completing a cultural mapping exercise, which develops an inventory of cultural resources within the community. The next step will be a community engagement process to seek ideas and input to help shape the vision, directions and priorities of the Cultural Plan.
Input and insight will be sought from culture and heritage groups, the business community and all interested residents.
The project is being supported by a Steering Committee made up of municipal staff and key community stakeholders who will offer valuable insights into cultural needs and opportunities in the municipality.
“The opportunity to connect, enhance and promote our arts and culture community is an important element in our economic development efforts,” said Marshall. “Cultural Planning creates a shared vision, a sense of pride in our community and assists in our job and investment attraction efforts."
To assist with the development of the cultural plan, the town has engaged the services of MDB Insight Inc. to lead the planning process. MDB Insight Inc. has completed more than 50 cultural plans for communities of all sizes and circumstances across Canada.
The cultural plan will be hosting a launch event in coordination with Culture Days on Saturday, September 29 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. The event will give community members the opportunity to help shape Hanover’s First Cultural Plan while celebrating the liveliness of cultural activities like the Hanover Heritage Committee Artifacts Roadshow, a Mural Dedication & Heritage Building Plaque Ceremony, and the Saugeen Artist Guild Street Banner Project.
For a full list of #HanoverCultureDays events, visit hanover.ca.
If there are any inquiries or comments about the Cultural Plan process please contact Marshall at 519-364-2780 ext. 1253 or by email at amarshall@hanover.ca.