Spotlight on Tomorrow's Towns
When you think of vibrant, liveable communities, what kinds of things come to mind? The people who reside there? The services available? The arts and cultural events and activities on offer? Perhaps all of those things, and more.
A new placemaking program from Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) is aiming to help communities around the province become more sustainable, resilient and vibrant - while also sharing the vital role that arts and heritage plays.
Funded by the Government of Canada through the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) SDG Grant Program, the Tomorrow's Towns initiative connects communities with strategic partners and guidance in the province - helping them save time on research, fact-finding, feasibility and funding applications for various projects. Participants also earn points by attending webinars and training sessions relevant to their proposed projects, which help bolster their municipal council and staff's skill sets.
Business & Arts NL’s Executive Director, Amy Henderson, presented a webinar as part of the Heritage and Arts stream this past April.
The program (which is available to any MNL member in good standing) consists of five streams, including Heritage and Arts, Healthy Built Environment, Food Security, Environmental Stewardship, and Climate Action, which supports communities in launching projects that make an impact and give back.
Business & Arts NL is one of six partners in the Heritage and Arts stream, which helps municipalities preserve, celebrate and integrate cultural heritage into their planning and development, while also encouraging them to support creative professionals by investing in public art projects, artist-in-residence programs and cultural festivals.
Manifesting Rainbows by Nina Elliott, installation (fibre art) at Twillingate.
This past April, Business & Arts NL's Amy Henderson presented a webinar for Tomorrow's Towns as part of the Heritage and Arts stream, in which she discussed the benefits of engaging with the arts community; the power of public art and how to integrate it in public spaces; ideas for partnerships and programs such as artist residencies; examples of local projects and events that have made a splash like the Town of Gander's Art Procurement Program, St. Michael's Printshop's mobile press and Writers at Woody Point; and more. (Click here to watch Amy's presentation "Getting StARTed: Arts-Based Projects (Large and Small) for Municipalities.")
Monotype in the Mantel: printmaking workshop participants using the mobile press in Gros Morne National Park, August 2022. Photo: SMP
Rudy Norman, Program Coordinator of Tomorrow’s Towns, says art can help people connect with their communities and instill pride.
“I’ve come to believe that art is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the future of our communities. It helps people feel something real about the place they call home. Through the Heritage and Arts stream of the Tomorrow’s Towns program, we’re seeing how music, painting, performance, storytelling and design can do more than just beautify a space. They bring people together, build pride and remind us of who we are," he says.
"Our partnership with Business & Arts NL means we can go deeper with that work. We’re making sure the arts are not on the sidelines but right at the heart of what makes a town sustainable, resilient and vibrant. This is about more than just projects. It’s about helping communities rediscover their voice and carry it forward.”
Audience members gather outside the Woody Point Heritage Theatre during intermission. Photo: Writers at Woody Point
Click here to learn more about the Tomorrow's Towns program, or register for an upcoming summit in Grand Falls-Windsor (August 6) or Baie Verte (August 8).
Want to learn more about how Business & Arts NL can help connect you with the local arts community? Whether you're seeking to commission a mural or reimagine your space with the arts in mind, our team can help you navigate the process. Click here to learn about our Brokering Services.