The Spirit of Alberta
Culture connects us to our communities, our province, and to the world. Our culture reflects who we are: what we value and consider beautiful, how we spend our leisure time, how we think about and treat each other, where we come from, and where we are going.
Culture is increasingly acknowledged as a necessary element of a healthy and balanced society. Many studies indicate that participating in cultural activities helps reduce stress, promotes increased health and improves academic learning. A vibrant culture also gives our province an important advantage as we compete to attract and retain skilled workers and their families to our communities. And our communities are strengthened through cultural activity.
The Government of Alberta is proud of our province's unique and vibrant culture, and we want to see it continue to grow and flourish. To achieve this goal, we have developed the Spirit of Alberta - a cultural policy for our province. Launched in January 2008, this important policy provides a framework for decision-making related to the support, growth and development of culture as we move into our province's second century.
The Spirit of Alberta is based on extensive research and public consultation over several years, and it reflects Albertans' broad view of culture, which encompasses the arts, our heritage, the natural landscapes and recreation. The policy also responds to Albertans' expressed desire to see government take a leadership role in supporting culture, and outlines how this will be achieved through partnerships with the private sector, cultural organizations, agencies, foundations, and individual Albertans.
Building on what was heard throughout the consultations, and the principles that emerged, Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture, developed the policy around four keystones: access, capacity, excellence and growth of cultural industries.
Through this policy, the Government of Alberta will collaborate with all those who are involved in culture and will build with all Albertans a long-term plan to support and promote culture in this province.
Premier Stelmach's mandate letter to Minister Goudreau
