The province is seeking input to help create a new cultural and creative industries strategy to position the province’s creative community as a driving force for economic and social development. This announcement was made by Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux.
“The cultural and creative sector contributes more than $1.5 billion to Manitoba’s economy and that means more than 25,000 Manitobans can do what they love for a living right here,” said Minister Lemieux. “As we develop a new strategy for supporting this sector, it is important that we hear from all Manitobans. We will be rolling out public consultations so Manitobans will be able to attend sessions around the province, share their ideas online and participate in a provincewide dialogue about what culture and creativity means to them.”
This strategic plan brings together three key elements:
- new investments in museums and community attractions,
- a renewal and redesign of cultural and creative industries programming, and
- increasing support for cultural and creative activities.
“The creative sector permeates and enriches the lives of Manitobans in every region of our province and requires a thoughtful framework that will ensure a thriving future for Manitoba,” said Randy Joynt, chair, Manitobans for the Arts. “Manitobans for the Arts welcomes the news that the government of Manitoba is committing to undertake a comprehensive cultural and creative industries sector strategy.”
The minister noted the first pillar of the strategy is currently being rolled out including $15 million for the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s new Inuit Arts Centre and $10 million to improve the visitor experience at the Manitoba Museum.
The second pillar focuses on the creation of a renewed strategy to support talented and creative Manitobans across the province, Minister Lemieux said. Manitoba’s cultural and creative industries include everything from heritage institutions and libraries, to performing, visual and literary arts, to digital enterprises in film, music, and interactive media.
An advisory committee will be established to help create an engagement plan, providing expertise and diverse perspectives on the role of culture in the province, the minister said. The consultations will begin early in the new year and will be complete by the end of 2016, he added.
The final pillar of the plan will see enhanced provincial financial support for the province’s cultural and creative industries, Minister Lemieux noted.
As part of its commitment towards the province’s cultural and creative industries, Minister Lemieux announced the province is investing $50,000 in support for Culture Days/Nuit Blanche, $25,000 for Art Support Manitoba and $150,000 for the Manitoba Opera.
“The Manitoba government understands that we cannot expect to maintain, let alone build on, our current creative success or maximize the potential of this rich resource without strong investment,” said the minister. “This new strategy will ensure that those investments are targeted where they are needed most.”
The cultural and creative industries strategy has been called for by community organizations, such as Manitobans for the Arts, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, as well as by the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council.
“We should take pride that Manitoba is moving forward with this initiative,” said Jean Giguère, chair, Culture Days. “Manitoba’s Culture Days continues to be one of the most successful events in the country. This new strategy will help to create the opportunity for all Manitobans to have access to explore, discover and participate in art and culture.”
