(Jacqueline Hamilton, Steve Carson, Judith Mackin and Kate Wallace)
(Photo by Tamara Steele)
"Our past has held us back" was one of the opinions heard at a panel discussion about keeping culture alive in the city as Saint John 225 celebration wraps up and harnessing the momentum of Saint John 225's many artistic highlights this year was another focus of the discussion last night.
Panelists and the audience at the Saint John Arts Centre giving their views on how to create vibrant original culture that brings people here and spurs economic development too.
Plan SJ's Jacqueline Hamilton says urban planning is about people not cars and that's something the City has forgotten over the years. Enterprise Saint John's Steve Carson tells CHSJ News cities for years spent time chasing the big fish and a vibrant arts and culture community will bring those big fish to us.
Entrepreneur Judith Mackin would like to see the City's 1 per cent for art initiative for new buildings extend to small businesses. Another recommendation is to make art more accessible with a student saying most of the culture is centred uptown and should be spread out.
