Lethbridge’s Civic Culture Plan earns national award

An ambitious municipal plan has garnered a prestigious national award.

Lethbridge’s Civic Culture Plan prioritizes the role of culture in advancing Lethbridge as an inclusive, innovative and sustainable community. The plan revolves around three key outcomes: dismantling barriers, fostering connections and prioritizing diversity. It integrates input from 400 community members and more than 65 local organizations.

Calling it a ‘forward-thinking initiative’, the Creative City Network of Canada (CCNC) recognized the plan with a national Cultural Planning Award. The awards were presented at the CCNC’s national summit in Vancouver in early October. The award criteria included:

• Demonstrating excellence in cultural planning practice.
• Embodying accessibility, diversity and inclusivity.
• Encouraging an innovative approach and a vision relevant to the community.

Jillian Bracken, Community Arts and Culture Manager, accepted the award on the City’s behalf. She is quick to note this was a robust team effort.

“This plan would not have happened without our dedicated Project Team,” says Bracken. “They spent countless hours planning, researching and executing it. The result is a plan that truly embraces its guiding principles of respect, inclusion and diversity.”

Bracken also commends City Council’s leadership in supporting and adopting the plan.

“It shows how much they value culture and diversity in our city, and how they want to ensure everyone in our community feels supported and celebrated.”

Jana MacKenzie, Executive Director of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge, points to the Civic Arts Policy as a key piece of the overall Civic Culture Plan. The policy aims to invest in activities, artists and arts organizations that showcase diverse artistic expressions and support cultural and intercultural development.

“Feedback from artists, cultural organizations and community members will be gathered and their input will be used to develop priorities moving forward,” says MacKenzie. “The goal, as set out in the Civic Culture Plan, is to increase community participation in funded arts programs by 10 per cent."

The CCNC award jury highlighted the Civic Culture Plan’s robust community consultation, particularly with Indigenous communities.

“Blackfoot Elders Mike Bruised Head and Wilma Spear Chief were instrumental in this journey,” Bracken remarks. “Their guidance ensured the plan honours Indigenous contributions and nurtures an intercultural community.” 

The jury also praised the plan’s thoughtful approach and its clear, ambitious framework for the future.

The Civic Culture Plan is currently in phase one of a three-phrase, 10-year strategy. The entire plan can be viewed here.

For Public Inquiries:
Call 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.