Abstract:
While it is understood that most municipal planners attempt to implement citizen input in cultural
planning processes, it is apparent that there are significant gaps in how cultural planners collect,
interpret and make use of public opinion. In an attempt to address this problem, this study
examines both traditional and contemporary types of programming around public input and the
strategic methods used to incorporate public input into arts plans. Specific concepts include:
community buy-in, project sustainability, creative visioning, collective intelligence, asset-based
cultural planning, and methods of engagement. The purpose of this research project is to explore
best-method cultural planning practices in the city of Calgary, Alberta.