Building upon the foundation of arts in community recreation as a renewal strategy, Part 2 of this series explores the critical importance of partnerships between the arts and recreation sectors. The Framework for Recreation in Canada (2024 Update) emphasizes collaboration and community engagement as essential for a thriving recreation and parks sector. For communities seeking to revitalize through the arts, forging strong bridges between recreation departments and local arts organizations, artists, and cultural groups is not just beneficial; it’s essential for building community health and wellbeing.
In regions like Far North Ontario, collaboration becomes even more critical. As Jamie Bell, of Art Borups Corners and its Winnipeg, Manitoba-based arts incubator program, points out, “The scarcity of artists and limited arts funding in the Far North means we can’t operate in silos. Partnerships are the only way to amplify impact.” Data from Census Canada (2021) reveals that artists comprise a mere 0.99% of the total labor force in the Far North, with women artists even more underrepresented at just 0.75%. Ontario Arts Council (OAC) funding data (2021-2024) shows the region received only 0.38% of provincial arts funding. This under-resourced arts infrastructure necessitates strategic partnerships to maximize limited resources and expertise.
Partnerships between arts and recreation can unlock a wealth of benefits for community health:
- Resource Sharing: Recreation departments often possess facilities, administrative structures, and community outreach networks that can be invaluable to smaller arts organizations and individual artists. Conversely, arts organizations bring specialized artistic expertise, program models, and creative energy that can enhance recreation programming. Sharing these resources reduces duplication and maximizes community investment.
- Enhanced Program Diversity: Combining the strengths of both sectors allows for the creation of richer, more diverse arts-based recreation programs. Recreation departments can integrate arts into existing programs, while arts organizations can leverage recreation infrastructure to expand their reach and impact. This creates more engaging options for community members of all ages and interests.
- Increased Community Reach: Recreation departments have established connections with broad segments of the community. Partnering with them allows arts initiatives to reach wider audiences, including those who may not typically engage with arts organizations directly. This is crucial for promoting accessible recreation and inclusivity, as championed by the Framework.
- Strengthened Community Networks: Collaborative projects between arts and recreation build bridges across different community groups and sectors. These partnerships foster stronger social fabric, enhance communication, and create a more cohesive community environment, contributing directly to community resilience.
- Sustainable Program Models: Sharing resources and expertise, arts and recreation partnerships can create more sustainable program delivery models. This is particularly important in smaller communities with limited capacity, ensuring programs can thrive long-term.
The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) actively encourages partnerships within the arts sector and with other sectors, recognizing their vital role in amplifying the impact of the arts. Aligning arts and recreation partnerships with OAC strategic directions further strengthens the case for these collaborations. For example, joint initiatives can leverage OAC funding opportunities that prioritize community engagement, accessibility, and innovation.
“In regions like the Far North, every dollar and every artist counts,” emphasizes Jamie Bell. “Partnerships between recreation and arts aren’t just a ‘nice to have’ – they are a necessity. By working together, sharing resources, and co-creating programs, we can build a stronger, more vibrant cultural landscape and significantly enhance community health and wellbeing, even with limited funding.”
Building these bridges between arts and recreation requires proactive effort from both sectors. Recreation departments can actively seek out arts organizations and artists for collaboration, while arts groups can explore partnerships with local recreation providers. Open communication, shared planning, and a commitment to mutual benefit are key ingredients for successful and impactful arts and recreation partnerships. By forging these connections, communities across Canada can unlock the synergistic power of arts and recreation to build healthier, more engaged, and more resilient communities.
Part 3 of this series will explore how arts in recreation can be a powerful tool for promoting inclusion and innovation, specifically addressing systemic barriers within the recreation and parks sector and broader community.