cultural quarters Building Our Cultural Quarters Together Implementation Plan june 2013
To enrich the ability of Montréalers to appreciate art, culture and heritage in its downtown core and throughout the city, and to build on Montréal s reputation as a cultural metropolis in keeping with the identities and environments of the targeted sectors. Politique de développement culturel de la Ville de Montréal 2005-2015 The development of cultural quarters, because the culture of a cultural metropolis must be that of all its parts; the citizen at the centre of cultural action not only as a spectator but as an active participant. 2007-2017 Action Plan Montréal, Cultural Metropolis 2012 Edition
From Consultation to Action! It s been quite a process since the autumn of 2011! It was then, after a number of years of thought and discussion, that Ville de Montréal tabled its Cultural Quarters policy document to the Commission permanente sur la culture, le patrimoine et les sports. Many of you have expressed interest in seeing cultural quarters developed throughout our cultural metropolis. The Commission heard briefs during five public meetings in October and November of 2011. About 250 citizens took part and 60 statements were submitted: we can take great pride in this exceptional and historic level of participation! The commissioners recommendations, aided in part by your meaningful and inspiring contributions, were adopted at the public session of April 25, 2012. The report was then tabled at the June 18, 2012 meeting of City Council. One year later (virtually to the day), City Council approved the Executive Committee response to the Commission s recommendations. In this implementation document, Ville de Montréal presents broad guidelines for action. In the years to come, we intend to support the boroughs and their partners in the establishment and development of their cultural quarters. To do this, we have created the Division des quartiers culturels within the Direction de la culture et du patrimoine. It is being equipped with support and funding mechanisms. Our work, in a global sense, will also be influenced by the future Plan de développement de Montréal, by the guiding principles of Agenda 21 de la culture, as well as within the context of the City s greater orientations and its intersecting projects such as the Promenades urbaines. These are furthermore augmented by the boroughs priorities. As new initiatives are underway at the Quartier des Spectacles development, an ambitious and innovative project that has earned international attention, Ville de Montréal recognizes more than ever that our cultural metropolis must be built from a strong city centre and a network of neighbourhoods in which culture and heritage are fully appreciated. Together, let s build our cultural quarters!
Sharing the Vision General Guidelines Arts and culture is one of Montréal s main strengths, a characteristic essential to the quality of our living environments. In this sense, the introduction of Cultural Quarters throughout the metropolis is a unique opportunity to strengthen cultural outreach by increasing democratization and accessibility of arts and culture for Montréalers. In regard to local expertise and authority in cultural matters, the boroughs (supported by central city departments and in partnership with local organizations) are in charge of the building and development of their cultural quarters. There are urban planning and cultural implications of undeniable importance in an integrated urban development such as the Cultural Quarters project. Therefore, culture must have an upstream presence in the planning of major City developments. The central departments involved and the boroughs must work in concert with their public and private partners for the inclusion of culture in the development of such urban projects. The boroughs and the central departments involved must support, in a concerted way, the initiatives coming out of the Cultural Quarters. The quality and cultural vitality of living environments depend on the growing presence and involvement of artists, creators and organizations in various spheres of activity in the boroughs and, even more so, in the cultural quarters. Their contribution to the economic and social development of the city and its local communities is of inestimable value and must be recognized.
Taking Concrete Action Guidelines Specific to Each Stakeholder Group THE BOROUGHS Creation of Local Cultural Action Plans Develop and implement local cultural action plans, in concert with community partners and with the support of the Direction de la culture et du patrimoine, that set out the short-, medium- and long-term steps in establishing and developing cultural quarters. Adapt urban planning bylaws to serve the objectives of the local cultural action plans and permit the re-appropriation of public space. Establish, in collaboration with community partners, a permanent management mechanism for the local cultural action plans that ensures coordination of joint efforts. Programming and Development of Cultural Quarters Make available the financial, human and material resources necessary to the development of nearby cultural facilities including the libraries and cultural venues, as identified in Diagnostic 2005, the Plan de consolidation des Bibliothèques de Montréal, and the Plan d action du réseau Accès culture 2010-2014. Foster and facilitate, through technical assistance and regulatory support, the installations of permanent and temporary public artworks, as well as the creation of murals in the cultural quarters. Develop and support, in concert with central city departments, programming initiatives and cultural and heritage tours that develop the character of the cultural quarters. Support cultural mediation projects and the practice of amateur arts, as well as the staging of festivals and other events that position the cultural participation of citizens at the heart of the cultural quarters.
Recognition of Artists and Creators Implement measures that give access to creation and performance spaces and encourage the development of workshops and residencies in order to secure and sustain the presence, creative activity and production of artists. Modify zoning regulations to affirm sectors in which are found buildings containing artist studios as employment areas. THE direction de la culture et du patrimoine Lending Support to the Development of Local Cultural Action Plans Guides and supports the boroughs in the development, implementation and sustainability of their local cultural action plans. Explore measures that facilitate artist occupancy certificates in order to identify and protect the number and location of creative and production spaces. Integration of Culture into Urban Planning Integrate cultural issues into urban planning and development concerns. Give priority to cultural signage, the creation and development of public spaces that are open and inclusive, by-law modification in certain cases, and urban design competitions. Issues related to transportation and security of movement are also important in the successful development of cultural quarters. the partners Partner Involvement and Commitment It is vital to promote and embrace the involvement of community partners in the development of local cultural action plans including specific projects that contribute to their consolidation. The exceptional, unprecedented participation of citizens and numerous organizations at the public hearings in the autumn of 2011 amply demonstrates real interest and involvement in the Cultural Quarters project. This must be encouraged to continue. Programs and Resources Adapts its programs and resources to best apply them to the support of the boroughs and their community partners in the creation and development of cultural quarters. Takes necessary measures, in conjunction with involved city departments and community organizations, to develop a coherent signage system for municipal and private cultural venues and facilities, as well as for the cultural quarters. Suggests matching (or other) measures to support the boroughs in the creation of murals or temporary public art installations. Increases its participation to develop cultural tours that complement integrated urban development projects, such as the Promenades urbaines under the Plan d action en tourisme culturel. Employs new digital platforms to enhance cultural and tourist tour programs. Analyzes, in collaboration with the boroughs, the opportunities for and feasibility of lighting plans to enhance locations, public art works, murals and buildings of note.
Uses its programs, in collaboration with involved city departments, to facilitate the creation and development of artist studios in the cultural quarters, notably by adapting the student aid program of the Forum des équipements culturels, and working in cooperation with the Société d habitation et de développement de Montréal. CENTRAL CITY DEPARTMENTS Integration with Urban Development Projects Integrate practices that favour the building and development of cultural quarters into the future Plan de développement de Montréal. Adopts a proactive, coherent and cooperative approach in the support of artist workshops, in accordance with the action plan proposed in the report of the Groupe de travail sur les ateliers d artistes. Consider the entirety of the city s policies, strategies and action plans in all key projects to promote greater coherence and efficiency in achieving its major planning and development orientations. - Examines, with the Service des affaires juridiques et de l évaluation foncière, the possibility of recommending an amendment to the Loi sur la fiscalité municipale that would recognize the right of artist and artisan groups to be eligible for the same tax exemptions enjoyed by non-profit organizations. Recognize the importance of a global and integrated approach to urban development. The central city departments involved in projects like the Cultural Quarters, the Quartiers verts, the Quartiers 21, the Promenades urbaines and the Programme de revitalisation urbaine intégrée must combine their efforts and work cooperatively toward the achievement of these key projects, with an approach that aims for sustainable quarters. Combine the expertise and resources of the central departments in a way that coordinates the implementation of integrated development projects, that communicates and promotes them, and encourages Montréalers and community organizations to help see them through. The Work is Underway! The adoption of this Implementation Plan for the Cultural Quarters brings a close to the administrative stage of public consultation undertaken in 2011. Thanks to your participation and enthusiasm, the past years have led to a shared vision and coherent ways to go forward together in the building and development of cultural quarters in Montréal. So we are now at the beginning of a great adventure! In the years to come, the boroughs, hand in hand with their local partners and the central city departments, will build their cultural quarters and, with them, the fullness of diversity and creativity that defines our Montréal identity.
ville.montreal.qc.ca/culture/quartiersculturels