Culture pour tous
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BILAN OF THE TENTH EDITION OF THE JOURNÉES DE LA CULTUREThe tenth edition of Journées de la culture took place on September 29, 30, and October 1, 2006. This anniversary provided the ideal opportunity to show that this major movement to democratize culture, created in 1997, is solidly anchored in hundreds of cities and towns and has had a positive repercussions right across Quebec. The tenth anniversary was also the occasion to produce a symbolic event that foreshadows the issues and challenges of the coming decade involved in increasing the number of initiatives promoting cultural democratization. This special project, entitled The Convertibles, demonstrated the fruitful relationships that can be forged between professional artists and citizens committed to creating a work of art aimed at their fellow-citizens and presented within the framework of a movement that emphasizes generosity, conviviality, closeness, and solidarity.
This summary also presents the results of complementary activities related to the educational sector (Cultural Logbook) and the promotion of ethnocultural artists (Intercultural Encounters) which we launched a few years ago. Highlights of this tenth edition: • The influence and profound effect of the Journées is due, first and foremost, to the renewed commitment of the imaginative and creative artists and cultural workers working in the regions, in Quebec City, and in Montreal. Every year, there are more and more cultural workers who voluntarily take part in this great event. In 2005, there were 1,791 organizations listed in the program while in 2006, that number climbed to 2,202 – an increase of 11.7 %. • A large majority of organizers saw a progression in the attendance at their activities. The 10th edition reached over 350,000 people throughout Quebec, an increase of 16.7 % versus 2005. • The annual ad campaign is a promotional vehicle highly appreciated by organizers. It has national media impact which trickles down and has a snowball effect on local and regional media. The 10th anniversary campaign, entitled Everything Must Be Seen, hit its mark. • The program has expanded: 27% of the organizations developed new relationships with other sectors, i.e. the business, educational, socio-community, or ethnocultural communities. • It must also be noted that 80% of organizers completed their evaluation forms, 76% of respondents were satisfied with the communications campaign, and 68% experienced tangible benefits following their participation in the Journées de la culture (public recognition, enrolment in classes, collaborations with artists, sale of works, subscriptions, etc.) • The 2006 program featured over 400 workshops and 900 demonstrations, some one hundred forums and discussions, and more than 110 guided tours. The activities took place in 290 cities throughout Quebec, 24 more than in 2005. • The 2nd edition of Intercultural Encounters took place in 10 cities in Quebec, featuring 50 activities (workshops, demonstrations, collective creations, lectures and screenings, discussions and debates) and involving 44 cultural institutions and organizations, as well as over 100 artists. •For the first time, a free shuttle service was offered in Montreal as part of Journées de la culture, providing 1,080 people with access to over 140 activities. The special 10th anniversary project, The Convertibles, was a hit with both the public and the media. Over 20,000 people came to see and explore these unused buses converted by professional artists with the help of groups of citizens. The crowd numbered 15,000 at Les Convertibles gathering on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, on September 15, 16, and 17, and over 5,000 during Journées de la culture in the 10 municipal locals associated with the project. The mayors and councillors in these cities and towns also took part in the celebrations surrounding the presentation of Les Convertibles in their area. |
