Greater Vernon Cultural Plan

The Greater Vernon Cultural Plan was developed in 2014-2015, and adopted by the Board of Directors in March 2016. The planning process included five workshops with a twenty-five person steering team representing a broad cross-section of arts and culture sectors, active engagement opportunities at eleven separate public events resulting in the input of hundreds of participants, and an online questionnaire that was advertised in the Leisure Guide mailed out to all households in Greater Vernon.

The key findings from the public engagement were:

There is a need for a variety of new or expanded cultural spaces and places (including a cultural centre to provide new space for the museum and gallery, and a downtown presentation space).
There is a desire for more special cultural events.
There is an appreciation for Greater Vernon's existing cultural assets.

Greater Vernon Cultural Plan Implementation

Working with the Regional District, the IAT has been busy taking action on the direction in the Greater Vernon Cultural Plan. Check out the updates on key projects, below.

A top priority identified in the Cultural Plan was a new facility for the gallery and the museum.

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The process of developing the Greater Vernon Cultural Plan, 2016, included a review of the existing cultural facilities in Greater Vernon. The review was conducted by the Canadian Conservation Institute, a special operating agency within the Department of Canadian Heritage, and it found that both the museum and the art gallery had deficiencies that affected their ability to protect and exhibit the public collections for which they care.

As a result of this finding, and strong interest in a new cultural centre that was indicated through the public consultation for the Cultural Plan, a concept was developed for a new, multi-purpose cultural centre that would address the needs of the museum and gallery to adequately protect and exhibit their collections and archives, while also seeking to provide a broader service to the community through multi-purpose workshop and meeting space and a smaller performance venue that would accommodate lecture series and educational speakers. This performance space will also aim to provide a downtown presentation space, helping to activate the city and complimenting the City of Vernon's downtown revitalization efforts.

Visit the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre project page for an update on this exciting project.
The RDNO continues to support and help grow cultural events through its Greater Vernon Arts and Culture Project Grant program. Looking for a cultural event? Want to add your cultural activity or event to the local community calendar? Visit: www.vernon.ca/events-calendar.

Have an event that would be interesting to visitors to town? Also add it to: http://calendar.tourismvernon.com
To understand the impact of arts and culture on our local economy, health, and society, the RDNO has hired a consultant to undertake an assessment of the impact of arts and culture and develop a report that can be used to advocate for funding and support of the sector. Part of this process is hosting a community survey where citizens can share the value of arts and culture to you and your family!

The survey has now closed. Check back for results and updates!
One of the first directives of the Greater Vernon Cultural Plan, 2016, was to develop a working and advisory group to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee, hereon in referred to as the Greater Vernon Cultural Plan Implementation Advisory/Action Team (IAT), who would be responsible for implementing the community component of the Plan’s strategies and providing recommendations on implementation to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee.

The terms of reference for the Implementation Advisory Team were endorsed by the Board of Directors at their meeting on April 18, 2016.
- Terms of Reference – Greater Vernon Cultural Plan Implementation Advisory Team

Please direct inquiries to:

Phone: 250-550-3700
Fax: 250-550-3701
E-mail: culture@rdno.ca