Achieving “Cluster Consciousness:” The Challenges of Defining and Nurturing a

Cultural Cluster in a Rural RegionPresented by:

Ivan EmkeGrenfell Campus – Memorial University of Newfoundland

Susan Drodge and Mark TierneyAtlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Introduction

The path we'll takeClusters and creative economiesOrigin theories

Photo courtesy of The Western Star

Rural

Where is rural in all of this?

"Urbanism" as a form of exclusion

Cultural policy ignored rural, andrural policy ignored culture

Photo: Neil Robbins

Is This a Cluster?

Cluster consciousnessActing as a clusterIdentity and cluster membership

Cultural Cluster Development in Western Newfoundland

Making the sectorvisible

Communicatingcommon interests

Fostering broaderlinkages

Photo courtesy of The Western Star

The Context

Regional demographics Regional economic overview Economic impact of the cultural sector Cultural assets

Source: http://www.gowesternnewfoundland.com/ Festival and Event Guide

A Role for Government

Opportunity-based Team Approach

Proactive Development of Opportunities

Early collaboration with emerging clusters

Photo courtesy of The Western Star Photo: Neil Robbins

What Have We Done?

Formal sector consultation with follow-up

Informal “kitchen” consultations

Opportunitydevelopment

Initiatives

From The First Round of Talks

Regional arts andculture marketing strategy

One-Stop Shop

Arts BusinessNetwork

Development ofGros Morne region as a cultural event destination and as a centre for professional development

Photo: Neil Robbins

To This

The Gros MorneCultural Blueprint

Arts Collective

Source: Rotary Arts Group

•Artists On-StopShop

•Rotary Arts Centre

Photo: Neil Robbins

Conclusion

Role of “outside” agencies in clusterdevelopment

The pitfalls of prescription

Lessons learned

Take risks

Get into thekitchens

Validate localculture

Network

Document

Photo: Neil Robbins

Questions?

Ivan EmkeGrenfell Campus – Memorial University of Newfoundland

Susan Drodge and Mark TierneyAtlantic Canada Opportunities Agency