Meaningful cultural planning and development contributes to the well-being of communities and fosters a sense of belonging within local economies
We’re proud to unify Canadians through accessible, diverse, and inclusive experiences that leverage local resources while supporting artists.
From cultural master planning to creative placemaking, we can work with you to realize your community’s public art goals and transform your city.
With a range of expertise and experience, our cultural planning team conducts research, brainstorms creative solutions to meet the public space challenges facing your community, and handles outreach with our network of innovative canadian artists to guide your cultural planning and development from start to finish.
What outcomes can you expect?
- Revitalize your neighbourhoods and business development districts to foster a vibrant public realm and a sense of shared identity in your municipality
- Expand your business-community relationships and create paid opportunities for Canadian artists and cultural workers, with a focus on magnifying the voice of equity-deserving communities
- Make the most out of your cultural assets with a strategic cultural plan developed by our team of experts and the local community
- Transform your community into a cultural destination and attract visitors from near and far
“We wanted to deliver two high-impact placemaking and public art projects with a tight turnaround. This is the first time we installed public art in the community and residents have embraced the art.”
“STEPS does an incredible job of maintaining relationships with local community members [and] responding to community input with meaningful experiences that foster genuine connections. STEPS’ ethics and values show in the incredible artists and community members who continue to partner with them.”
What have we done in the past?
Municipal Cultural Plans
City of Stratford Cultural Plan (Stratford, Ontario)
Building Community Programs
From Weeds We Grow (North York, Ontario)
Engaging Communities and Main Streets
Mississauga Movement Series
Turn your public art dreams into a strategic cultural plan
Whether we’re working on main street recovery projects or strategic municipal plans, our cultural planning team brings you the top skills in creative, community-led, evidence-based city-building to ensure that your public space investments are well informed. Let’s put your spot on the map of inspiring, inclusive, and celebrated public spaces.
Step 1: Reflect
Think about your cultural development and community engagement goals and available cultural assets. Take a look at our FAQ section to learn more about cultural planning services available.
Step 2: Book a Call
Use the Book a Call function on the website to schedule a call with our Cultural Planning team!
Note: Are you an artist? We have a space just for you! Please contact us through the artist form.
Step 3: Preparation
Check your email and make sure the call has gone into your calendar. Then, prep for the call! Come with your goals, dreams, timeline, and budget range so we can help you best.
Step 4: Meet the Team
Attend the call. On this call, we’ll determine whether your project is a good fit for what we offer. If it is, we’ll recommend the next steps.
Step 5: Celebrate!
We look forward to working with you and your team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is cultural planning?
Cultural planning includes identifying a civic community’s cultural resources and strategically managing them, with an emphasis on community involvement and a place-based approach. Cultural planning and development are undertaken by a local governing authority, with an official plan written and approved by council members to promote positive economic, social, and environmental change in a region. Since each region and each community is unique, it’s important to consult with community members and groups to create an effective cultural plan that accurately represents the cultural life of a place. In this process, municipal government and arts and culture organizations can work together to promote cultural development in Canada.
To learn more about how you can work with STEPS to develop a community-oriented cultural plan tailored to your municipality, book a call with us today.
Why is it important to develop a cultural plan?
A cultural plan provides an opportunity for jurisdictions to:
- Expand and enhance artistic and cultural opportunities for the arts/creative community and the broader community
- Strengthen, leverage, and integrate artistic and cultural resources across all facets of local and national government
- Advance broader objectives in the areas of economic prosperity, social equity, the environment, and cultural vitality
What is the community mapping process?
The process of community mapping will identify resources and strengths that currently exist within the community and aid in identifying future opportunities and partnerships. It is a way to gather insights on who community stakeholders are, and understand how they operate and what is important to them.
Community mapping is also a way for community members to outline issues or challenges, and identify ways in which these challenges or barriers can be responded to. This leads to facilitating the building of links between communities and institutions or municipalities while providing locally-driven transparent solution processes.
What is the focus of asset-based community development?
Asset-based community development looks at the assets that already exist within a community and builds upon them. This includes mobilizing individuals, associations, and institutions to come together to realize and develop their strengths and relationships to problem solve and envision solutions and future opportunities.
What are the benefits of placemaking for main street and community recovery?
Benefits for Canadian main streets, local businesses and the community through placemaking and public art include:
- Beautification and streetscaping
- Safe community and business connections
- Sense of activity and safety in public spaces
- Contribution to cultural tourism for locals and visitors
- Supporting local emerging and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour) artists with paid artistic opportunities
Explore our Inspired Art Impact placemaking toolkit for main street cultural tourism to discover the impacts of public art on main streets across Canada. Book a call to explore how we can brainstorm creative solutions to benefit your main street!