Some say that culture is the ticket to the creative economy. I think it is an important piece, but we must also build on this component to include the unique identities of those who make up our communities.

It’s this inclusiveness that expresses the region’s all-encompassing approach to becoming a great place to live, work and play. It translates itself from the art that local artists craft to the innovative businesses that plant their roots in Durham. This is what the Art of Transition (AOT) is all about.

Back Row: Sue Sutcliffe, Todd Skinner, Jason Atkins, Kerri King, Dr. Greg Baeker, Nina Conrad, Wayne Conrad. Front Row: Lisa Weiss, Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Kristyn Chambers.

The aftermath of AOT has reached an important point in determining “the next steps”; an important turning point that will address how we proceed in delivering a strategy to enhance Durham’s cultural flavour. The recently composed Creative Think Tank Advisory Group met for the first time in March to map out a path for Durham to take in its evolutionary journey. I would like to thank all participants of the advisory group for
opening their minds to this task.

• Ambrose Samulski, Planet Earth Initiative
• Bernard Leroux, Northlight Pictures
• David Slabodkin, Canada Protection Plan
• Don Lovisa, Durham College
• Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Whitby Station Gallery
• Dr. Greg Baeker, AuthentiCity
• Dr. Richard Marceau, UOIT
• Geordie Lishman, Artist
• Jason Atkins, 360 Incentives.com
• Kristyn Chambers, The Regional Municipality of Durham
• Lisa Weiss, Parkwood National Historic Site
• Sue Sutcliffe, aWEBthatWORKS
• Todd Skinner, The Growth Coach
• Wayne Conrad, Omachron Science Inc.

We encourage you to also open your mind for this purpose. You can always log onto our website www.artoftransition.ca to contribute your comments in a form that can inspire immediate dialogue and feedback.

With your help, we look forward to creating a cultural map that shows the roads leading to Durham Region’s
vibrant future!

Kerri King, Manager of Tourism

The Regional Municipality of Durham

905-668-7711 ext. 2606

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 17th, 2010 at 3:28 pm by Kerri King and is filed under 201006 Volume 2, Transitions Zine, What's Next Durham Region?. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.