Sarnia-Lambton Creative Sector Engagement

Project Description:

Sarnia is the largest city on the shores of Lake Huron and borders the United States at Michigan State. The city and surrounding Lambton County boast a mix of small towns, rural communities and the City of Sarnia.  The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is the arms-length economic development body for the region which has great strengths in petro-chemical refinement, transportation and shipping, and agricultural industries.

In 2015, Cobalt Connects was contracted to create a process to connect SLEP to the local creative sector and to create a forum for collaboration to explore how SLEP and the broader community could enhance the cultural and creative sector.

The process involved reviewing municipal and county policy, existing entrepreneur and creative sector programs, a survey aimed at gaining insight into the creative sector, and finally an in-person forum. The open conversation and collaborative brainstorming resulted in numerous projects that SLEP and the creative community could pursue together.

Following the process the municipality has created a video series featuring local creative professionals, launched a support program including shared space and business development services for creative entrepreneurs, and a municipal granting program.

Client: Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership

Collaborators: SLEP staff, local artists and creative sector professional, artist facilitators

Website: https://www.sarnialambton.on.ca/key-sectors/creative-industries

City: Sarnia, ON

Date: 2015