Cultural Mapping

Cultural mapping is a process of collecting, recording, analyzing and synthesizing a community's cultural assets. It is a valuable tool for identifying a community's strengths and resources, and for strengthening the community's cultural identity. Cultural mapping also examines the more intangible matter of a community's identity and sense of space. The consolidation of this information supports planning and decision making in cultural development.

Under the creative communities program, 2010 Legacies Now and the Province, Parks, Recreation & Culture were awarded a $10,000 grant to be used to document the arts and cultural resources in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and the Katzie First Nation. The grant application was matched with a contribution of $10,000 from Parks, Recreation & Culture.

Consultation

In February 2011, staff hired a consultant, Jennifer Wilson, of Jennifer Wilson Consultants Ltd., to facilitate this initiative. A steering committee was established and the eight-member committee had representation from the following organizations:
  • Community Festival Network
  • Katzie First Nation
  • MR-PM Agricultural Association
  • MR-PM Arts Council
  • MR-PM Councils
  • MR-PM Parks & Leisure Services Commission
  • Maple Ridge Historical Society
  • Pitt Meadows Heritage and Museum Society
  • School District No. 42
The committee met on several occasions to provide advice, help to develop survey questions, assist with raising awareness and identifying key resource people and the analysis and interpretation of the data.

Data Collection

The mapping project commenced with the development of a communication strategy to identify key audiences and appropriate methods for raising awareness and motivating participation.

The collection of the information and data was from three primary sources:
  • A web-based survey
  • Focus groups
  • Paper survey

Process

The process included the development of an inventory of:
  • Arts (including visual, performing and literary arts); cultural services, programs and events and heritage resources
  • Facilities and spaces (number, location and quality)
  • Governance, human resources and funding sources
  • Populations served

Cultural Map Inventory

Based on the consultation process in 2011, the cultural mapping inventory represents a snap shot of the cultural service providers (individuals, non-profits and business) and art makers in the communities who provided information and chose to be included in the map at that time. Each cultural provider is noted in the map with links to their webpage for more information and details. The limited technology in 2011 did not allow us to update the information easily and therefore this map should be viewed as an archived reference document. In the future cultural planning process, the cultural map may be reviewed and updated as resources permit.

For more information, please see the article from BC Recreation and Parks Association.