A forum is being held for Maple Ridge to put forth ideas about the city’s new cultural plan.
The plan will guide the city’s role and future investment in the arts and cultural services over the next 10 years.
“It is really to kick off the whole discussion and planning process,” said Yvonne Chui, arts and community connections manager with the Maple Ridge Parks, Recreation and Culture Department.
“To really talk about what our direction is for culture for our community,” she added.
The last plan was done adopted in 1996 and many of its goals have been achieved, including the implementation of the artist in residency program, the public art program and the opening of the ACT Arts Centre downtown.
“Now we are coming into the next stage of our development thinking, what really is our future and what does that look like,” said Chui.
Arts and cultural groups, businesses and citizens are being asked to attend the forum.
“Whether that be in economic development tourism, in our branding, in our planning process in our neighbourhoods, those are all things that actually culture can be a part of.”
The public engagement process will include the upcoming forum, focus groups and workshops, a survey, pop-up displays with writing walls and a Cultural Champions Summit.
A draft report will be presented to council in early summer once the feedback has been gathered and analyzed along with research and comparative data from other cities across Canada and internationally.
• The first Cultural Plan Community Forum takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the ACT Arts Centre, 11944 Haney Place in Maple Ridge.
Note: The date has been changed from the original date of Feb. 9 due to inclement weather forecasted this week.