The City of Saint John is seeking a qualified consultant or consulting team to lead the development of a comprehensive, forward-looking Arts Master Plan. The City’s existing Arts and Culture Policy was last updated in 2005 and no longer reflects the evolution of Saint John’s cultural landscape, contemporary practices, or the needs of local artists, organizations, and creative workforce. 

The Arts Master Plan will establish a shared, community-wide vision, priorities, and actions for arts and culture in Saint John, and define the role of the municipality in supporting and advancing that vision through investment, partnerships, and decision making. It will recognize arts and culture as essential to civic identity, tourism, economic development, social cohesion, and community pride.

This work will include strategic planning, research, community engagement sessions, and implementation planning guided by best practices in municipal arts and culture planning and creative placemaking in Canada. The Arts Master Plan will serve as a practical and accessible roadmap for the city and will be used by staff, the Saint John Community Arts Board, Common Council, community organizations, artists, and partners.