Cultural Infrastructure Needs Assessment

Consultation on this project has completed. Read the What We Heard Report by clicking here. or read the Cultural Infrastructure Needs Assessment here.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) is currently undertaking a Cultural Infrastructure Needs Assessment. From November 8, 2021 - March 7, 2022, all residents of the RMWB were invited to share their thoughts on existing facilities and identify potential gaps in their community. Feedback was then gathered and analyzed in a What We Heard Report which is shared here for your awareness.  

What is Cultural Infrastructure?

Cultural infrastructure offers spaces for cultural activities to take place. Some examples of these types of facilities include art studios, dance studios, green space and parks, community halls, libraries, museums, and theatres or performing arts centres. Some examples of cultural infrastructure currently in the RMWB includes the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts, Anzac Recreation Centre, Fort McMurray Heritage Village, MacDonald Island, Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum, and Centrefire Place.

What is a Cultural Infrastructure Needs Assessment?

A Cultural Infrastructure Needs Assessment is a study that seeks to understand the current state of cultural facility provision in a community and identify potential enhancements for future decision making. It is intended to inform future planning, resource allocations, and partnership discussions related to cultural infrastructure.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo approved the Wood Buffalo Culture Plan in 2019 as a guiding document to support and enhance cultural initiatives in the region over the next 10 years. The goal of the project is to inform the Plan’s vision of Wood Buffalo as a culturally diverse and socially inclusive municipality. To accomplish this, we must assess existing spaces and hear from the community to identify potential opportunities to enhance cultural spaces in the area.

Input from the engagement process will be used to help identify cultural infrastructure needs in the RMWB. The input collected will be considered in conjunction with other indicators and used to guide future decision making.

How Can You Provide Input?

Your participation is important to us! By getting involved in this project, your input will be used to support current and future needs for cultural infrastructure and spaces. Have your say by completing a survey, joining a workshop, or get in touch for a one-on-one! The following input opportunities are available.

Resident Survey - CONCLUDED 

A survey for all residents will be open from November 8 – January 31, 2022. Both online and hard copy versions are available. Continue below or click HERE to fill out this short survey.

Resident Input Workshops - CONCLUDED 

Input workshops for all residents in the RMWB will be offered through video/telephone conference. Resident input workshops have completed. A recording of one of these sessions is available for viewing by clicking HERE.

Cultural Organization Survey - CONCLUDED  

A survey was designed specifically for cultural organizations operating within the region and was open from November 8 - January 31, 2022.

Cultural Organization Workshops - CONCLUDED 

Input workshops open to all Cultural Organizations in the RMWB were be offered through video/telephone conference due to Covid-19 protocols. These scheduled sessions are now complete.

Please Note: All identified Indigenous partners and stakeholder groups were contacted with engagement opportunities during active engagement. Thank you!

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