Windsor Culture Map
Windsor Culture Map
Locate Windsor's cultural assets and resources
With funding support from the Government of Ontario's Creative Communities Prosperity Fund, the City of Windsor has completed a Cultural Mapping Project. Note: This project was completed in 2014.
Phase 1 of the project gathered and analyzed data from City records and community input to create a working inventory of culutral assets and resources.
Phase 2 of the project gave that data to the City of Windsor's Geomatics Division to develop a real interactive cultural map and working applications for use by those living in, working in, or visiting our community.
This web page is your gateway into the Windsor Culture Map Project. This is a living document. From time to time, new assets are added.
Windsor Culture Map + Applications
The City of Windsor's Culture Map shows the physical location of our cultural assets and resources, full contact information and links to websites. The map is fully accessible and includes the most up-to-date information provided to us at the time of the research phase in 2014. Please click on any of the links below to explore the map and its applications.
Feedback Information
Community Stories
Though the major focus of the mapping project was tangible cultural resources, attention was also paid to intangible resources or community stories. Local stories are the "DNA of culture," helping make sense of place and relationships in our community. During the research phase, the public identified the most important stories that helped contribute to defining Windsor's unique identity. From a long list, the ten most commonly identified stories were developed into short narratives for you to read. We look forward to expanding on this list in the future, working in partnership with the community. To read the 10 Community Stories, please click on the links below.
Windsor Firsts + Our Fascinating History
The City of Windsor has a fascinating history, and Windsor's Community Museum has gathered a list of intriguing and unique historical and cultural facts about this city we call home, including some exciting Windsor firsts.
Consultants Cultural Mapping Report
Project Background + History
Cultural mapping is a process to identify and document the cultural resources or assets of a community. Across the country, more and more communities are turning to cultural mapping as an important new tool to support economic development and to enrich the quality of life in our communities. In this vein, prospective businesses and newcomers can also use this tool to more fully understand the many cultural assets that Windsor has to offer.
What is "Cultural Mapping"?
Cultural mapping embraces a broad spectrum of cultural resources as illustrated in the diagram linked above. This includes a wide range of tangible resources, such as arts and heritage organizations, cultural occupations and industries, and cultural and natural heritage - among others. It also explores the areas of intangible cultural assets, including the stories, traditions and unique quality of life that shape our identity and sense of place. The broad definition of cultural resources illustrated in this diagram is dynamic. It is, however, a starting point for gathering information on our rich and diverse cultural assets in the City of Windsor.
What are the benefits of Cultural Mapping?
- Increases awareness of resources for residents, tourists, newcomers and prospective businesses: cultural mapping has become an increasingly important tool to support increased tourism.
- Educates prospective investors about the strengths of the community, which, in turn, can stimulate localized economic investment.
- Improves the base of information on cultural assets in municipalities to inform a wide range of planning decisions: planners can review an areas cultural assets to ensure harmonized land-use.
- Builds networks and stronger collaboration cross a wide range of cultural groups and activities.
Windsor's Cultural Mapping Project Outcomes
- Develop a Cultural Asset Inventory - done.
- Develop an Interactive Map - done.
- Cultural Policy Support - ongoing.
It is important to note that the project will not produce a comprehensive final mapping of all cultural assets. The work of cultural mapping is never complete. There will always be new information and new assets to add. The Cultural Mapping Project will, however, establish a solid foundation and set of tools to enable an ongoing mapping effort.
Our Project Partners
- Government of Ontario
- Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County
- Arts Council Windsor and Region
- Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
- Workforce WindsorEssex
- Essex Community Futures Development Corporation
- Raindance
- WEtech Alliance
