Mapping Northern Creative Spaces

ArtsBuild Logo NORDICK

Key arts organizations and sector representatives from Kenora and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, and Wawa partnered with ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) and NORDIK Institute (NORDIK) to conduct the Mapping Northern Creative Spaces project. The study undertook to map the four communities’ existing creative spaces, assess if spaces are meeting current and future needs, and identify the potential demand and feasibility for additional creative spaces within the community. The resulting reports are informational, providing a statistical base for future projects, programs, and advocacy and serve to encourage cross- sector discussion and dialogue to support further development. 

The project results identify the need for creative spaces; disciplines of underutilized artistic capacity; the type of space needed; and preferences for space. The individual community reports provide statistics, trends, and identified needs that serve as a guide for local resource development and expansion, as well as rallying points for community vision and action. They also show where ArtsBuild Ontario and other organizations may offer meaningful learning resources and be strategic future partners.

The first phase of the mapping was done through online surveys in each of the communities.

The second phase included virtual community forums and a 4-community forum where the project partners and community members discussed the findings and identified pathways forward.

Reports

Project Summary_English [PDF]

Project Summary_Francais [PDF]

Full Project Report [PDF]

Kenora / Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Community Report [PDF]

Sault Ste. Marie Community Report [PDF]

Timmins Community Report [PDF]

Wawa Community Report [PDF]

NORDIK Institute is an innovative community-based research hub affiliated with Algoma University that supports the region’s community economic development initiatives, and ArtsBuild Ontario is dedicated to realizing long-term solutions for building, managing and financing the sustainable arts facilities needed in Ontario communities.

The Mapping Northern Creative Spaces project is made possible through the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and key community partners: City of Kenora, The Muse Kenora, Lake of the Woods Arts Community, Northwest Business Centre, Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, Sioux Narrows Arts Council, Future Sault Ste. Marie, Sault Ste. Marie Museum, The Indian Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Independent Arts Council for Timmins, and The Economic Development Corporation of Wawa.

 

 

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for this project.