Cultural Development

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© Claude Dagenais, Lou Leblanc and Steve Pellerin

Cultural Policy

In 2007, the Town of Sutton implemented its Cultural Policy in order to promote its unique features. The development of Sutton’s Cultural Policy was undertaken in consultation with the arts community and local authorities, to take into account their concerns and desired direction for cultural development

The results of this approach are, on the one hand, clearer guidelines for municipal involvement in the area of culture and, on the other, precise objectives and roles that ensure that every stakeholder can participate in the cultural development of Sutton.

Furthermore, through its Cultural Policy, the Town has committed to allocate a minimum of 3% of its municipal operating budget to culture.

Cultural Development Action Plan

In 2011-2012, the Cultural Policy was updated following a new consultation with organizations and citizens, and an implementation action plan was drawn up.

The Municipality’s Vision

"In 2029, Sutton is a rural area with a welcoming multicultural community that is known for its social, cultural, recreational, tourist and agricultural dynamism, which is based on the community’s participation in the sustainable development of its territory."

This vision, which seeks to position Sutton as a “culture-nature” community, has two key components:

  • A horizontal view of sustainable cultural development, which assumes that culture can contribute to the development of all sectors: land-use planning, economic issues, tourism issues, and especially social development, all in a sustainable manner. It is thus an inclusive process which draws upon all the cultural resources in the territory;
  • A development approach based on cooperation and partnerships between the various stakeholders in order to develop well-thought out and complementary services, but also joint projects and more sustained mutual assistance. The cooperation takes place as much as possible:
    • between the cultural community as a whole, and other sectors engaged with concerns such as business and the economy, community, recreational and educational issues, and everything related to land-use planning.

Development Objectives

Culture plus business and tourism development

  1. Develop and promote the Town of Sutton as a quality cultural destination
  2. Promote the development and the socio-economic integration of the cultural community

Culture plus land use planning

  1. Protect and enhance heritage assets and make citizens aware of such assets
  2. Give visibility to cultural venues and events
  3. Establish a public art collection

Culture plus social and community development

  1.  Promote citizen access and participation in Sutton’s cultural life