Val-Saint-François RCM

Val-Saint-FrançoisRegional Country Municipality

Scultural

changeLet us give ourselves the power to change things

Cultural Policies

A NOTE OF THANKS

Members of the Committee to Review Cultural PoliciesGilles Perron mayor of Val-Joli, committee chairmanFrance L. Maurice mayor of Saint-Claude, representative from the municipal milieuJacqueline Nadeau municipal councillor for the Canton de Valcourt and representative from the municipal milieuThomas Dandurand director of La Poudrière Historic Park, representative from the historic and patrimonial sectorLouise Lemay communications director of the Bombardier Foundation,

representative from the cultural tourism sectorDenise Lupien president and director of the Slate Interpretation Center,

representative from the cultural tourism sectorJacques Gosselin director of Johnson County Carrefour Jeunesse-emploi,

representative from the community sectorJosée Roy commissioner of the Des Sommets School Board, representative from the education sectorSandra Roberts artist and owner of Les Trésors de Sandy, representative

from the business sectorLéonel Bombardier member of La Farandole de Racine, representative from the

performing arts sectorRéjeanne Venner person in charge of the Stoke library, representative from the

books and literature sector

Regional ResourcesClaude Sirois Eastern Townships Cultural CouncilSylvain Soucy delegate from the Ministry of Culture and Communications—

Eastern Townships SectorJacynthe Ferland Touristic development agent, CLDEJosianne Arès Cultural development agent, CLDE

Publication ContributorsResearch and Writing Josianne ArèsGraphic design Klaxon creationsPhotography Klaxon creations (exept churches p. 6 by Daniel Anger and p. 7 by Jasmin Desmarais)English translation Nick FondaEnglish version review Annie Vincent, Cultural development agent, CLDEPrinting MJB Litho

Other ContributorsThose who took part in the cultural tourThose who took part in the public consultationThe CLDE team (Local Economic Development Centre)

Table of Contents

A Word from the Warden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

A Word from the Committee Chairman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Historic Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Portrait of Cultural Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Cultural Impact. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Our Cultural Vision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Guiding Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Intervention strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Support for the Development of Arts and Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Create Cultural and Patrimonial Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Structure and support for developing cultural offerings within the context of a local touristic strategy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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Affirming who we are

Recognizing our differences

Remembering our successes, our failures, our attempts

Expressing our desires, defining our needs

Announcing our future

Preparing a plan

Getting involved!

The following pages are filled with words which have been

carefully chosen and carefully placed.

These words are but a beginning, a first step.

An idea remains only an idea unless it’s heard or read.

Art only becomes culture when it touches people.

Let us grant our words the power to bring about change.

4 Wordss

df

The Power of Words

A Word from the WardenThe municipalities which make up Val-Saint-François were founded, over a century and a half ago, in an exceptionally scenic countryside. Today, these places, marked by our ancestors’ history, is our legacy. We recognize that our cultural heritage is a valuable collective commodity.

In our region there are numerous artists and artisans whose compositions and creationshelp to animate, improve and energize our milieu. The RCM affirms its desire to supportthem in their projects.

We believe that our cultural policy is an essential decision-making tool which will help usrecognize the social and economic contributions of the arts. The challenges facing the artistic community are substantial. Still, I am certain that with imagination and innovationwe will meet those challenges.

I wish to thank all the participants who contributed to the formulation of our cultural policy. Without their support and their contributions we would not have this reliable document to accurately reflect the reality of our region.

Gerald BadgerWarden of the Val-Saint-François RCM

A Word from the Chairman of the CommitteeAccess to culture must no longer be considered a privilege for the citizens of our region. It is a right and not a luxury. Libraries, concert halls, museums and cultural activities belongto the people. These places and these events are organized and presented by artists and volunteers, but they are presented above all, by people from our region. This cultural vitalityis an indication of the well-being of our community.

Since June of 2004 the committee struck to review the cultural policies of the RCM hasbeen busy reviewing, culling and analyzing cultural data. We decided to adapt the processto the reality of Val-Saint-François. This allowed us to meet with, and hear from those mostinvolved in the cultural community. In this way, we were able to get a more complete andaccurate picture of their situation. The information we gathered helped us when it cametime to establish the priorities of our cultural policy.

I wish to thank all the members of the committee as well as the regional administratorswho helped formulate this new cultural policy. I hope that many of us will continue to worktoward making it a reality.

Gilles PerronMayor of Val-Joli

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Present Situation

The Val-Saint-François RCM, situatedbetween Sherbrooke and Drummondville

in the Estrie administrative region, is comprised of eighteen municipalities and

has a population of about 29 0001 inhabi-tants. Historically and topographically,

this territory is made up of three geographically distinct areas.2 In fact,

the municipalities of Richmond, Windsorand Valcourt have always been,

simultaneously, natural hubs of humanactivity. Today, they continue to share

the main industrial, economic, social,touristic and cultural resources of the

area. While this distinctive characteristicmight make the creation of a single

regional identity difficult, it neverthelesscontributes to a great cultural wealth.

The Regional Council of Municipalities ofVal-Saint-François was established in May,1982, following the enactment of the law

governing land use planning and urbanization. The RCM is an administrativestructure created to settle disputes between

municipalities concerning the integrationof different local solutions to land use. TheRCM is also entrusted with the formulation

and implementation of a general plan forthe territory in its jurisdiction.

Historical Background

For more than half a century this area was inhabited by a population which wasalmost exclusively English-speaking. The first pioneers, American Loyalists who settledalong the St. Francis River, arrived at the end of the 18th century. Between 1810 and1840 a second wave of settlers arrived, immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. Thebuilding of the Craig Road to Richmond and then the laying down of railway tracksled to a significant population growth. The first French-Canadian families startedarriving in Val-Saint-François towards 1840, as the parishes established along the St. Lawrence could no longer accommodate their growing population. Today, the cultural diversity is still evident. Our ancestors left traces of their passagethroughout the area and the amalgamation of our cultures makes Val-Saint-François a unique place.

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1 Census of the population. Source : Ministère des affaires municipales, 2005.2 The word “region” in this document refers to the Val-Saint-François territory.

The Richmond, Windsor and Valcourt sectors include the surrounding municipalities.

Saint-Claude1070

Val-Joli1626

St-Denis-de-Brompton2828

Kingsbury144

Richmond3471

Melbourne976

Windsor5397

Cleveland1572

Maricourt518

Ulverton3831

Stoke2638

Valcourt2432

Valcourt (canton)983

Lawrenceville637

St-François-Xavier-de-Brompton 1997

Racine1206

Bonsecours548

Sainte-Anne-de-la-Rochelle 548

ValVal-Saint-François2

Secteur Richmond

Secteur Windsor

Secteur Valcourt

Cultural Policy 1995

In December of 1995, the Val-Saint-François RCM adopted its first cultural policy.The members of the Cultural Table, who had been given a mandate by the RCM to formulate and implement the policy, had selected the following guidelines: to affirm our cultural identity, to support the dynamism in the artistic domain andthe diffusion and accessibility of cultural productions. Between 1999 and 2003 the RCM set aside $20 000. to finance the realization of the activities proposed bythe first cultural policy. In June of 2004 a review committee was struck and given a mandate by the RCM to re-examine the cultural policy of 1995.

Cultural Table

Since 1994 a Cultural Table, bringing together a number of artists and cultural administrators, has beenworking on cultural development in the Val-Saint-François RCM. This group has brought about severalculturally important innovations:

• cultural policy (1995)• listing of cultural resources (1998)• incorporation of the Val-Saint-François Cultural Table (1999)• sociocultural map (2000)• school calendar (2000)• photo contest (2001)• the RCM’s floral emblem: the New England aster (2001)• patrimonial symposium (2003)

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historyCultural History

At Stake

Volunteering and weak financial support leave performing arts organizations especially vulnerable. These are major obstacles to their development. Efforts at local promotion must be made to create an awareness of the resources and services offered to the population. Furthermore, it is important to support the new generation of artists and artisans and to create a springboard to facilitate the transitionfrom amateur to professional artist.

E8 performingPerforming Arts

In the winter of 2005 a large CulturalTour was organized. Artists, artisans and

administrators from cultural organiza-tions from eight sectors met together.

These meetings made it possible for thecommittee reviewing cultural policy to

get a clear picture of our cultural milieu.

Theatre, music and dance are popular activities. In fact, a number of institutions offercourses which allow people in the area to hone their skills. For some years now, Les Amisde la Musique and l’École de danse Hélène Borgia have been helping to diversify the cultural recreational activities available in our region.

Richmond’s Centre d’Art is the RCM’s major cultural center. It has a well-equipped, professional caliber concert hall which has exceptional acoustics. The season’s musicalprogram, the Festirock, and the amateur theatre festival presented by the Centre d’Art are opportunities to showcase Val-Saint-François.

During the summer, visiting performing artists have the opportunity to mount their showsin patrimonial settings which add another element to their performances.

Cultural Portrait

The best represented elements in Val-Saint-François’s cultural milieu are visual arts and crafts. A very largenumber of people, some formally trained, others not, are actively involved in these activities.

Galleries in the region welcome artists of all levels. Since 2001 the Centre d’art Yvonne L. Bombardier hasbeen exhibiting the works of the winners of the Paul-Émile Borduas Prize as well as those of internationallyknown artists. The Courant d’art Gallery, situated in the Centre d’Art building in Richmond, offers local andregional artists the chance to mount both solo and collective exhibitions. The Parc historique de la Poudrièrehas created two exhibition halls. Every summer it presents the Poudre et pinceaux symposium. Artists fromthe region and from elsewhere take part in this event which draws hundreds of visitors every year.

Craftsmen and craftswomen are both dynamic and visible in our region. In particular during the Christmasseason craft fairs are held in different municipalities. Handicrafts and home made produce are sold. TheCraft Fair in Richmond is especially noteworthy.

At Stake

The priority for the visual arts sector is the creation of a coalition of artists. Their desire to get involved in the community and to be more present in galleries is evident. The creation of an umbrella group seems tobe a starting point which would give artists the powerto negotiate, and the opportunity to share and exchangeideas. The transition from amateur to professional status is also a concern for artists.

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craftsVisual Artsand Crafts

We are living in a technological age and the information sector is constantly evolving. The rural milieu must compete with radio and television networks and with national newspapers to obtain its share of airwaves and newsprint. It must equip itself

with resources to allow its citizens to receive pertinent local information. We have noticed in recent years that the media in our RCM have diversified. The internet is now used in most municipalities as a means of broadcasting. It is interesting to note the media’s

growing interest in culture.

Several newspapers share the regional market. Le 3600 sur le Val-Saint-François is the only one to be distributed monthly to all thehouseholds in the RCM. The newspaper, l’Étincelle, is distributed in the Windsor and Richmond sectors while La Pensée de Bagot is

distributed weekly in the Valcourt sector. Les Actualités, The Record, la Tribune, le Journal de Sherbrooke and La Voix de l’Est are alsoavailable in certain municipalities. Content and frequency of publication of these newspapers vary.

CIAX is the radio station which serves the Windsor area. Its broadcasts will be aired over the entire RCM. CIAX is a reference pointfor the CRTC since the group which started the project succeeded, with limited financial resources, in creating a radio station which

reflects its community. Numerous volunteers work to offer listeners varied and high quality programming twenty-four hours a day,seven days a week.

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communicationCommunication and Media At Stake

Planning between private and community organizations is difficult.The resources of commu-nity media are limited and our territory is large.Citizen participation is essential to optimize thesesources of information. Awareness of the resourcesand services offered to the population at large isimperative.

Media involvement is essential in the creation and affirmation of a local identity.

The educational sector reflects the RCM in that it too is divided. Threedifferent school boards— Eastern Townships, Région-de-Sherbrooke,

and des Sommets, administer fourteen elementary schools, four highschools and two adult education centers in the territory covered by

Val-Saint-François. Those who work in the educational milieu are alreadyaware of arts and culture. The Région-de-Sherbrooke and the

Des Sommets School Boards have cultural policies and committees.Parental support for and participation in cultural activities are

relatively easy to obtain.

At Stake

The educational milieu has clearly indicated its willingness to work with local cultural organizations. The latter are conscious of the need to offer activities adapted to the interests and abilities of young people. Workers in theeducational milieu are not fully aware of the potential for local cultural and educational field trips. A particulareffort must be made to popularize local history.

11cultureEducation

and CultureJ

Our consultation on books and literature led to our discovery not only of the exis-tence of several authors but also of the quality and fame of their works. It is essen-tial to promote their works in our libraries and also to facilitate author exchangesby creating information networks.

Libraries are cultural focal points of primary importance in our municipalities. They offer a place to meet, to discover to exchange ideas. We have seven libraries in our RCM. Two of them belong to the Réseau Biblio (CRSBP) while the others areautonomous. We should note the importance of the Yvonne L. Bombardier Librarywhich is the only one in the Valcourt sector. The activities and resources it offersserve to democratize culture. Openings, art exhibits, painting rentals, internetaccess, special events and the mobile library are efficient methods of introducingand exposing the general population to cultural activities. On the other hand, these initiatives, for the most part, depend on the goodwill and energy of volunteers. There is no doubt that library services contribute to the quality of life of our citizens.

At Stake

The effort invested by the libraries must be focused on promoting their activities. A mobilization of, and collaboration between, libraries might be a solution. At the same time, ties with schools should bestrengthened. AAllll cciittiizzeennss ooff VVaall––SSaaiinntt--FFrraannççooiiss sshhoouulldd hhaavvee aacccceessss ttoo aa nneeaarrbbyy lliibbrraarryy..

12 booksBooks and literatureS

The patrimonial wealth of our RCM is indisputable. The Historical and Genealogical Society of Val-Saint-François and the Richmond County Historical Society are actively working to preserve local history. The creation of the Parcours de Jadis has allowed several sites to shine a light on our industrial patrimony: gunpowder, slate, snowmobile, crystal,wool and honey.

The RCM identified, within the bounds of its plan, 193 buildings, two sites and two infrastructures of historic interest inVal-Saint-François. Five buildings have a local historic value while twelve others have a regional value.3 The Richmond sector has a particularly significant concentration of patrimonial buildings. Some 77% of the RCM’s historic buildings are found therek, as well as the greatest concentration of slate roofs in Quebec. The patrimonial landscape, even thoughnot noted in an official census, is very evident in the region, and in many cases, still entirely intact. This is a unique feature when we begin to promote tourism in our area.

Our living patrimony is equally diversified: local and regional products and traditional know-how are numerous. Since2001, Melbourne’s Country Market, open every weekend in the summer, welcomes those who seek organic and local produce. Every year, at the end of the summer, Racine holds a Country Fair which allows local producers to sell theirwares: cheeses, spices, rose-based products, honey, berries, maple products, ostrich and buffalo meat. The “Fruit of theField” circuit invites visitors to discover five local agrarian producers and their produce.4

At StakeIt is difficult for the touristic sector to create a distinctive

image for Val-Saint-François. The geographic division of the territory and the weak sense of belonging to the RCM are the

reason. The challenge in the next few years will be to drawforth and to commercialize an image to which the populationwill adhere. We will have to renew our efforts and the meansat our disposal to achieve this. An informed citizenry, touristic

promotion, partnerships and municipal involvement will be thedetermining factors for this “Operation Radiance.”

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patrimonyHistory and Patrimony

3RCM’s Territorial land use plan (Schéma d’aménagement du territoire)4Members of the circuit are: Le Marché champêtre de Melbourne, Framboiseraie Lalande, Rose de Nel,

Ferme Lune de miel, Consortium Bison Plus, Moulin à Laine d’Ulverton

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In Quebec, as in most industrialized societies, there is growing interest in tourism based on culturaldiscovery5. Different socio-economic interests recognize there are opportunities to develop new markets based on the particular identity of their community.

The last few years, Val-Saint-François has aimed to develop attractions of a cultural character. The creation of the Parcours de Jadis6 in 2000, allowed the region to initiate its own touristic niche.This network of museums, while still relatively new, is already becoming a touristic and economiclever. The participating members are very active in their communities. They are promoting new initiatives, events and major activities: the Landart International in Ulverton and the Poudre etpinceaux Symposium in Windsor.

The cultural milieu has succeeded in taking advantage of this movement. The Yvonne L. BombardierCultural Center, which is now part of RAVI 7, offers tourists visual arts exhibitions of high quality and promotes the movement of tourists within the Eastern Townships. Cultural organizations inRichmond offer visitors to the area package deals, walking tours and various attractions. This milieuhas given birth to a cultural vitality and an exemplary openness to collaboration. The involvement of the municipality has contributed to the creation of a cultural magnet. The four museums found in Richmond, the Saint Patrick Day festivities, the Festirock and the Antique Car Festival are proof of this.

The infrastructure for welcoming tourists to the RCM nevertheless does have some shortcomings.We must, in the middle term, be able to offer visitors restaurants and lodging which will encouragethem to prolong their stay in our area and allow us to maximize our gains from their visit to ourarea. The advent of a new rest area on Highway 55 will allow the consolidation and development of this sector of activity.

At Stake

It is difficult for the touristic sector to create a distinctive image for Val-Saint-François. The geographic division of the territory and the weak sense of belonging to the RCM are the reason. The challenge in the next few years will be to draw forth and to commercialize an image to which the population will adhere. We will have to renew our efforts and the means at our disposal to achieve this. An informed citizenry, touristic promotion,partnerships and municipal involvement will be the determining factors for this “Operation Radiance.”

14 tourismCultural tourism

5 Quebec Ministry of Communication and Culture; www.mcc.gouv.qc.ca/tourism.6 Grouping of five attractions on the theme of industrial patrimony: Moulin à laine d’Ulverton, Parc historique de la Poudrière de Windsor, Centre d’interprétation de l’ardoise à Richmond,

Ferme Lune de miel à Stoke, Musée J. Armand Bombardier à Valcourt.7 Réseau en Arts Visuels (Visual arts network) : Fondation Bombardier, Centre d’arts d’Orford, Galerie d’art Foreman de l’Université Bishop’s, La Galerie d’art du Centre culturel de lUniversité de Sherbrooke

et le Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke.

;

Parcours de Jadis

The analysis of the cultural recreation sector wasapproached in function of the mandate of harmonization, sensitization and support for thedevelopment of culture in the RCM. Even thoughcultural recreational activitiy is primarily a municipal responsibility we have attempted to clarify some regional concerns.

Cultural development is a relatively new concernin Val-Saint-François. On the other hand, some people are actively involved in the financing andrealization of significant cultural projects such asthe Parc historique de la Poudrière in Windsor, theCentre d’Art in Richmond and the library in Stoke,to name just a few.

Culture remains closely linked to the recreationsector in the municipal context. In effect, financialaid given to cultural initiatives is often part of therecreational budget. Recognizing and affirmingthe cultural sector are important because the quality of life of a community is increasingly associated with its cultural vitality. It is an attraction which draws new citizens, tourists and even new investors.

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municipalities

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Cultural Lifeand municipalities

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impactCultural Impact

8 Ministère des Affaires municipales et Régions

There are different ways of measuring cultural activity in Val-Saint-François :

• The seven libraries on the territory of the RCM have 66226655 mmeemmbbeerrss. In 2004 they borrowed 224477 337788 bbooookkss and municipal or scholastic documents. The libraries function thanksto 6622 vvoolluunntteeeerrss aanndd 1100 pprrooffeessssiioonnaall,, ffuullll ttiimmee eemmppllooyyeeeess..

• The Centre d’Art in Richmond welcomed 33000000 ssppeeccttaattoorrss to 2244 sshhoowwss as part of its annual repertoire. It also hosted 2200 aammaatteeuurr mmuussiiccaall aanndd tthheeaattrriiccaall pprreesseennttaattiioonnss which drew oovveerr 22000000 ppeeooppllee.

• Over 550000 ssttuuddeennttss of all ages are enrolled in courses and activities related to the performing arts at Les Amis de la musique school, the Pierre de Rubis theatre school and theHélène Borgia dance school.

• In 2004, the Parcours de Jadis welcomed over 8811 550000 vviissiittoorrss.• The calendar of cultural resources of the RCM lists 82 artists

and artisans.• TTwweellvvee oorrggaanniizzaattiioonnss,, aassssoocciiaattiioonnss aanndd ccoommmmiitttteeeess are working

towards the development and cultural vitality of the region. • The RCM, in its organizational plan, identified 119933 bbuuiillddiinnggss,

two sites and two infrastructures of historic value to Val-Saint-François.

• In 2002, municipalities of the RCM invested $$551100 000000in the cultural sector.

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visionOur cultural vision

Since 1994 the Val-Saint-François RMC has repeatedly affirmed its desire to include culture in its development. A first cultural policy was prepared in 1995. Following that, three agreements on development were settled on with the Ministry of Culture and Communication which generated aninvestment of $14 000. Then, in 1999, the RCM adhered to the Villes et villages d’arts et de patrimoine program and thereby created a position for an agent for cultural and touristic development.Finally, in 2004, the RCM delegated responsibility for cultural and touristic development to the LocalCenter for Economic Development. A full-time resource person is now working on cultural developmentin Val-Saint-François.

The RCM considers the cultural policy to be an essential frame of reference for the implementation ofcultural development. The selected procedures will allow different participants, cultural organizationsand artists to work together towards improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of Val-Saint-Françoisas well as promoting our culture and patrimony. The RCM will continue to play its role of coordinating,sensitizing, promoting and developing the elements related to the cultural sector.

The Val-Saint-François RCM considers culture, in the largest sense of the word, “the totality of the dis-tinctive, spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional traits which characterize a society. Besides artsand literature, culture encompasses ways of life, fundamental human rights, value systems, traditionsand beliefs.” (UNESCO)

• The Val-Saint-François RCM recognizes that access to culture is a fundamental right. Itcommits itself, as a function of its responsibilities, to encourage the democratization ofculture within the fold of the community.

• The Val-Saint-François RCM intends to take a leadership role in the development of localculture in order to insure a better quality of life for its citizens. Furthermore, it will be apriority to work towards the conservation of our acquired and patrimonial culture.

• The Val-Saint-François RCM counts on using culture as a tool for social and economicdevelopment. It attributes to it the capacity to mobilize the population and to attract certain families and people. It hopes to create a local identity by promoting iittss culture.

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principlesGuidingPrinciplesE

• A cultural vitality exists within the Val-Saint-François RCM. The RCM’s leadership is necessary for local cultural development.

• The patrimonial wealth of the region is considerable. The RCM commits itself to sensitizing the population and to supporting municipalities andorganizations with respect to valorizingand protecting the local patrimony.

• Culture is an important lever in the social and economic development of our region. We recognize its preponderant role with respect to touristic positioning and development in the RCM.

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interventionIntervention Strategies

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1. Support for the development of arts and culture

2. Expand Cultural and Patrimonial Awareness

33 .. Structure and support for developing cultural offerings within the context of a local touristic strategy.

Intervention Strategy 1 :

Support for development of arts and culture

The cultural milieu of our RCM is inspired by numerous organizations and artists. The organizations are often smalland non-profit. They depend on fund raising campaigns, government subsidies and especially on the active involvement of volunteers.

Culture is a distinct sector of activity. The mission and the procedure to create cultural enterprises are not the same asthose for other economic sectors. Cultural products are created through the inspiration of the artist, and not as a func-tion of consumer demands. The start-up for arts and culture necessitates different strategies. The drawing together ofthe milieu, the promotion of cultural services and products demand specialized resources and competencies.

The RCM acknowledges the exceptional work of those involved and the results of their work in the improvement of thequality of life of our citizens. It is also aware of the precarious nature of the cultural milieu and of the need to accordparticular help to the development and financing of cultural organizations and artists. To do this, it intends to adoptthe following stratagems:

Orientations1.1 Place additional resources at the disposition of organizations, artists and craftsmen to help them

reach their full potential.

To do this, the Val-Saint-François RCM intends to:• Create a fund for cultural initiatives which will allow it to financially support cultural events and activities.• Offer special aid to promoters and autonomous cultural workers by putting at their disposal professional

expertise for starting-up, financing and expanding their project or their enterprise.• Support the forming of committees, associations and projects with a cultural vocation.• Affirm the need for a full-time resource person working on cultural development at the RCM while keeping

the position of cultural agent.

1.2 Participate in the spread of cultural organizations and artists of the RCM as well as the promotion of their works, products and services.

To do this the RCM intends to:• Bring the Calendar of Cultural Resources up to date and oversee its distribution.• Create the promotional tools and distribution networks which will be placed at the disposition of artists

and cultural organizations.• Favour the development of promotional partnerships between organizations in the milieu.

1.3 Favour the bringing together of different cultural groups.

To do this the RCM intends to:• Organize events and occasions to meet to exchange ideas for those in the cultural milieu.• Favour the development of partnerships between the cultural, public and private sectors.

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Intervention Strategy 2 :

Expand Cultural and Patrimonial Awareness

Val-Saint-François is a territory impregnated with 150 years of history. The Irish, the French-Canadians and the Englishwho strove to build up our region bequeathed to us an extraordinary patrimony. In our municipalities we can still finda mixture of architectural styles, of religion, of customs and usages which are as much as anything else an expressionof the harmonious manner in which we live together and which is one of our determining characteristics.

The RCM is aware of this richness. It considers it a priority to take an inventory, to evaluate and to showcase our patrimony, our culture. This is why it is committed to sensitizing our municipalities, our population and especially ouryoung people, to the importance to these characteristics which are like pillars on which our community can be developed. The better our citizens know our origins, our history, our territory, the greater their sense of belonging tothe region and their affirmation of their identity. To this end, the RCM counts on:

Orientations2.1 Provide the necessary technical information and resources

to promote our patrimony and culture.

To do this the Val-Saint-François RCM intends to: • Keep the population informed through the local media and by developing appropriate informational

and promotional tools.• Offer municipalities support to protect, conserve and showcase their patrimony.• Prepare and maintain an inventory of local patrimonial sites.• Offer the population the opportunity to discover culture, artists and local patrimony,

among other ways by organizing thematic activities.

2.2 Pay particular attention to sensitizing young people to culture and patrimony

To do this, the Val-Saint-François RCM intends to:• Work in collaboration with workers in the youth sector, especially in the school milieu.• Support cultural organizations to develop activities adapted to a young clientele• Prepare projects dedicated specifically to this clientele.

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Intervention Strategy 3 :

Structure and support for developing cultural offerings

within the context of a local touristic strategy

There are numerous possibilities for developing the touristic potential of Val-Saint-François. There are already asurprising number of museums, centers and cultural events. The Parcours de Jadis offers great potential for touristic development.

The touristic sector acts like a lever for social and economic development. Its actions contribute directly to thecultural sector. The touristic sector has to rely primarily on distinctive cultural experiences and attractions to offeran ever more demanding clientele a touristic product that stands out. For this reason the RCM has chosen tofavour a partnership of the cultural and touristic sectors. Therefore, the RCM is giving precedence to the following orientations:

Orientations3.1 Undertake and support cultural structuralization

To do this the Val-Saint-François RCM foresees:• Assuring the perenniality and development of the Parcours de Jadis;• Taking charge of the establishment and coordination of the Eastern Townships Cultural Route

which crosses Val-Saint-François;• Supporting all other structuralizational initiatives

3.2 Favour close collaboration between the cultural and touristic sectors

To do this the Val-Saint-François RCM intends to:• Contribute to the optimal utilization of the resources of the cultural and touristic sectors.• Favour the undertaking of projects and events which will permit collaboration between the cultural

and touristic sectors.

sd

f Mobilize

Be a community

Capture inspiration together

Create projects in our own image

Build, innovate, radiate

Belong to a place, transform it, colour it

Persevere, persevere again and again

Without people, words are only words.

To be in agreement is no longer enough.

History, culture and art are everywhere among you.

Let us act.

Let us give ourselves the power to change things.

23peopleThe Power of the People

peopleWithout people words are only words

Klax

on c

réat

ions

(819

) 839

-123

5

Municipalité Régionale de Comté

du Val-Saint-François