Enhancing the arts, culture and heritage
The Pontiac MRC is aware of the significance of culture in its area and wanted to enhance it. To do so, the MRC gave the Local Development Centre (CLD) the mandate of developing a Cultural Policy. This policy, which was established with the cooperation of citizen committees in 2004, guides all cultural development projects. The creation of this policy led to the development of an initial cultural agreement with the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication in 2005.
This agreement established a triennial action plan, costs for which were shared between the Ministère and the MRC. The agreement’s purpose is to promote Pontiac culture to the community and its visitors. It is also intended to address the gaps that affect our region. For example, the CLD developed a Cultural Calendar which is distributed to every home in the Pontiac so that residents are informed of the activities in the Pontiac.
The Pontiac Church Tour was created to promote the region’s rich religious heritage. And, increased support for the Pontiac Artists Association made it possible to buy back the Portage du Fort St-Jacques school, thus establishing a permanent arts institution in the region.
Fresh on the heels of this success, the MRC reached a second agreement with the Ministère de la Culture for the years 2008 to 2010. A new action plan was developed but the objectives remain the same. As a result of the increasing presence of culture in regional development, the CLD hired a second cultural officer. These two officers are part of the Villes et Villages d'Art de de Patrimoine Network. Their mandate is to support and provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs; develop the visual and dramatic arts in the Pontiac, reinforce the place of the library, protect and enhance our loval heritage and to encourage a feeling of belonging to the Pontiac while also encouraging visitors to discover this richness.
For questions related to Culture in the Pontiac Émile Chazelas at 819-648-5689 ext. 134, echazelas.cld@mrcpontiac.qc.ca.
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