Working Towards a Cultural Development Plan in Lachine
2022 will be a conclusive year for the borough of Lachine’s cultural development plan.
After having made a diagnosis of culture on its territory, the borough is currently preparing its Cultural development plan, which will guide its actions for the coming years.
In February 2022, two public consultation events were held in order to learn about the ideas and aspirations of the community, based on three themes: the offer of cultural activities, local culture and collaboration. A report on these consultations is avaiblable. The borough will then draft its Plan and will announce its contents during the year.
Read the report of the consultations:
A process based on a cultural diagnosis
In 2019, the borough adopted a Comprehensive cultural diagnosis. This diagnosis was recently updated to take into account new practices related to the current pandemic.
Some of the strengths of Lachine’s community were highlighted in this report, including public art and built heritage that inspire a sense of living with history, a vibrant community of amateur and professional artists and the waterfront that has proven to be a tourist attraction, in addition to its well-stocked libraries and rich museum collections.
What is a cultural development plan?
The objectives of the Cultural development plan will include defining a common, inspiring vision of culture, determining the vision of the cultural quarter and its implementation, and providing cultural facilities that allow for the roll-out of cultural offerings in an environment that optimizes the experience and aligns with Ville de Montréal’s Vision 2030.
The importance of culture in Lachine, in Montréal and internationally
The borough is increasing the number of free activities offered to everyone, both at its venues (Bibliothèque Saul-Bellow, Bibliothèque de Saint-Pierre, L’Entrepôt performance hall including its exhibition rooms, the Musée de Lachine) as well as in public spaces (public piano, outdoor shows, open-air movies, library in the park, off-site exhibitions, etc.). The borough also supports non-profit organizations in cultural recreation and large-scale cultural and artistic events, including a classical music festival.
Ville de Montréal has signed the international charter, Agenda 21 for culture, which is the first international document to establish the basis for cities’ and local governments’ commitment to cultural development.
In this context, and in its Cultural development policy for 2017-2022, Ville de Montreal encourages the boroughs to pursue the establishment as well as the artistic and commercial development of cultural quarters around cultural facilities, libraries, venues and places of creation and production, through a Local cultural action plan and in conjunction with local partners.