Together Towards a Cultural Neighbourhood in Saint-Laurent!
The cultural heart of Saint-Laurent is located in Vieux-Saint-Laurent. With many heritage, commercial and educational attractions, this area is naturally perceived as a cultural hub. A project is under way to define a concerted vision for that sector of the borough.
What is a cultural neighbourhood?
Cultural Neighbourhoods are a territorial approach to cultural development that contributes to community identity, enhances residents’ quality of life and contributes to the cultural, social and economic vitality of neighbourhoods.
Imagine yours!
The borough has adopted a Local Cultural Development Plan (2018-2021) whose scope is combined with Montréal’s vision for rolling out cultural neighbourhoods. In addition to enhancing the choice of cultural activities and events, the goal is to strengthen the cultural identity of the neighbourhood, based on the diversity and richness of its population, its commercial establishments, its parks and its urban features. Saint-Laurent’s future cultural neighbourhood will be located in Vieux-Saint-Laurent.
The neighbourhood’s assets
The Émile-Legault multidisciplinary performance hall, the Musée des métiers d’art du Québec and the Bibliothèque du Vieux-Saint-Laurent are undeniable attractions for the cultural vocation of this sector.
The neighbourhood is also home to two major educational institutions—Vanier College and Cégep de Saint-Laurent, the latter being recognized as a breeding ground for artists. These two educational institutions combined are attended by some 13,000 students.
With three green parks and a large canopy of mature trees, it is a great place to live.
Boulevard Décarie, its main commercial artery, is located in the centre of the neighbourhood. In addition, the borough’s two metro stations—Du Collège and Côte-Vertu—are located at the southern and northern ends of this artery, making the neighbourhood easily accessible.
The physical limits of the cultural neighbourhood have yet to be concretely defined; however, the suggested boundaries are between rue Marcel-Laurin to the west, rue Côte-Vertu to the north, Cégep Saint-Laurent and Vanier College campuses to the east and rue Saint-Louis to the south.
Assessment to date
2022-2023: Performances, consultation and feedback: Two artists offered in situ creation projects that culminated in a public presentation of two works produced in close collaboration with the population, thus opening the dialogue between the stakeholders involved in designing a common vision for the cultural neighbourhood. The consultation process was led by Conscience urbaine, while the creative projects were headed by Propulse Danse (Marie-Denise Bettez) and Sarabeth Triviño.
March 17, 2023: Feedback on the consultation process, including the common vision imagined for the future Cultural Neighbourhood in Saint-Laurent.
2024: A first action plan
February 7, 2024: Evening of co-creation during which participants helped defined the limits of the cultural district, dreamt of development projects and events that could be held but above all suggest names to best reflect it’s personality: Vieux-Saint-Laurent, Quartier culturel andCœur culturel laurentien.
March 14, 2024: Unveiling of action plan at the Musée des métiers d’art du Québec. Presentation of the outlines of the action plan for the Cultural Neighbourhood in Saint-Laurent. Participants were given the opportunity to visit the exhibit, enjoy a musical performance, ask questions to the Partner Committee as well as get involved in the next steps.
Next steps
From April 22 to May 12, 2024: What will the name of the cultural district be? Vieux-Saint-Laurent, Cultural District or Laurentian Cultural Heart? Vote! (In French)
Summer 2024: As a first project, a pedestrian itinerary aiming to highlight the heritage of the cultural district but also the stories of citizens will be developed. Share your stories and testimonials here.
Cultural Neighborhood Partner Committee
Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent (Culture, Bibliothèques et Loisirs)
Artenso
CARI St-Laurent
Cégep de Saint-Laurent
Carrefour jeunesse emploi Saint-Laurent
Comité des Organismes Sociaux de Saint-Laurent
MUMAQ - Musée des métiers d’art du Québec
VertCité
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