Heritage and Culture Partnership

1. General Overview

A grant from the Trillium Foundation was secured in 2001 to create Heritage and Cultural Partnership, a subcommittee of Huron Tourism Association. Since its inception, HCP has successfully accessed more than $110,000 in provincial grants and $8,500 in local contributions, which were used for a number of programs that reached out into the community to forge partnerships and strengthen the arts, culture and heritage sectors. As a result of these efforts, HCP was acknowledged in 2003 with the Blyth Festival Tourism Development Award. Today, the partnership boasts fifty-five members from across the county, including theatres, museums, art galleries, accommodations, services and municipalities that share our vision.

1.1 Mission

Heritage and Cultural Partnership provides support and services to foster growth and success for our members within the arts, culture and heritage communities of Huron County.

1.2 Plans for the Future

• Creation of a Cultural Directory of services and venues across Huron County for the use by artists, artisans and the general public.
• Update the Historical Notes CD which explores the history of Huron County from 1965 onward.
• Expansion of existing website to become the central on-line location for those interested in arts, heritage and culture in Huron County.
• Development of more education opportunities, such as speaker’s series and how-to series.
• Publication of a five-part self-guided historical driving tour of Huron County.

2. Doors Open 2006

Last summer, Heritage and Cultural Partnership co-ordinated a highly successful Doors Open Huron, with participation from Heritage Goderich, the Municipality of Bluewater and the Municipality of Huron East. Hosts at forty-two sites across the county opened the doors to historic gems in this provincial program spearheaded by Ontario Heritage Foundation. Among the visitors were those who follow Doors Open events from community to community and those who live locally but have never stepped foot inside such places as Iceculture in Hensall, the CPR rail station in Goderich, or the old Cardno Concert and Music Hall in Seaforth.

Success Story

• HCP co-ordinated a partnership of three municipalities in order to raise $1,500 to pay the entry fee into the provincially spearheaded event.
• July 8-9, there were forty-two sites open to the public in Brussels, Seaforth, Goderich, Hensall, Zurich, St. Joseph, Benmiller, Ethel and points in between. Visitors came from as far away as Witchita, Kansas, South Africa, GTA, Golden Horseshoe and London.
• The highest number of visitors over the two-day event was recorded at the CPR station in Goderich, with more than 600 visitors.
• The event received extensive media coverage by area newspapers and radio. The event was promote in a locally produced brochure and in a provincial process colour brochure distributed through a national daily newspaper.

3. Edifice

In April 2006, HCP arranged for the editor of Canada’s foremost publication for old house restoration and care, Edifice, to present a five-hour seminar to provide homeowners and skilled trades with restoration and maintenance tips to help care for heritage homes.

 

Success Story

• This event reached out to 29 home owners and skilled tradespeople in Huron and Bruce counties.
• New partnerships were forged with business leaders in the area providing sponsorship in the amount of more than $1,000 and donating prizes to a silent auction that raised about $350.
• The event was supported by media coverage from local newspapers and radio.

4. Gone Public / Artist Connections

HCP has launched two programs to help Huron County artists and artisans promote their work and to expose the general public to original works of art in places they visit on a regular basis. The first project, Gone Public, brokers artwork between Huron County artists and artisans to public places such as medical clinics and municipal buildings. The second project, Artistic Connections, created a directory that links artists with restaurants and accommodations that are interested in displaying original artwork. In each case, the artwork is for sale and artists are not charged a commission.

Success Story

• The first Gone Public brokering project was finalized in September 2005, with a celebration at the Seaforth Medical Clinic.
• The Artistic Connections: Linking Artists and Venues brochure was unveiled in Spring 2006, listing 11 artists, seven accommodations, and four restaurants. Additions are being made.
• Through these programs, artwork is currently on display in the Seaforth Medical Clinic, Huron East town hall, Viewpoint Bed and Breakfast, and Hessenland Country Inn.
• Thousands of people yearly are seeing artwork they would never before have visited a gallery to view.
• The information serves as a base for another upcoming project, a Cultural Directory.

5. Show and Tell 2006

In May 2006, HCP hosted its first-ever Show and Tell event at the Goderich Co-op Art Gallery, bringing together Huron County artists, theatre artistic directors and tourism operators. During the afternoon, artistic directors announced the coming season and HCP unveiled the Artistic Connections brochure. In the celebratory spirit, appetizers and wine were served.

 

Success Story

• More than 40 artists, theatre artistic directors and tourism operators attended the event.
• A new partnership was created with HIMG, which generously contributed to the cost of appetizers.
• A new partnership was created with Colio Estate Winery, which generously contributed to the cost of the wine and provided glasses for the event.
• Artists and accommodations and restaurant owners met during the event to discuss the opportunity for displaying artwork.
• Some attendees were visiting the gallery for the first time and were impressed by the calibre of local artwork.
• Plans are in the works for the Second Annual Show and Tell event, which will be bigger and better.

6. Cultural Plan

In 2005, HCP secured funding from the county’s Planning and Development Department and Cultural Services Department, along with Huron Business Development to complete a Cultural Plan for Huron County, a county-wide vision to create a culturally dynamic community.

 

Success Story

• HCP was pleased to once again work with the county’s Planning and Development Department and Cultural Services Department, along with Huron Business Development.
• During the winter, a survey was circulated through Focus Newsmagazine, at no cost, and through the county’s library system, with participation from all parts of the county.
• In the spring, public meetings were held in Wingham, Goderich and Exeter, with thoughtful input from local residents on the future direction of culture in Huron County.
• The county will use the final document if it plans to submit another Cultural Capitals grant application. HCP wrote the first application, which was short-listed for 2005.

 

goto page top