A look back at the 9th Congress of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN)

From May 22 to 26, the Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles and Quartier des spectacles international welcomed the 9th edition of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN) Congress to Montreal. More than 200 international delegates came to meet our cultural metropolis and its creators.

During a week of conferences, discussions and networking, participants were invited to reflect together on the value and challenges of cultural districts. Here’s a look back at the event.

The week began on Monday, May 22, with the opening of the congress and a welcome cocktail at the Society for Arts and Technology.

Then, on Tuesday, May 23, and Wednesday, May 24, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, some 80 speakers and panelists discussed topics such as new trends in globalization, equitable leadership in arts and culture, cultural tourism in the 2020s, and more.

Thursday, May 25 was a day dedicated to bringing together Montreal’s cultural ecosystem with Canadian and international stakeholders. The place of the creative industries in the future of cities, the governance and economic models of cultural districts, best practices for stakeholder engagement and community participation, and coexistence in public spaces were discussed throughout the day. The one-day conference was held at the Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts.

Finally, on Friday, May 26, participants were invited to visit various sites (Place des Arts, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Iregular studio, C2 Montréal, La Tohu, quartier des arts du cirque, Oasis immersion and Centre Phi) and Montréal’s cultural districts.

This international event was made possible thanks to the support of the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, Jackworld, the Société de développement commercial Montréal centre-ville, Tourisme Montréal, the Ville de Montréal and the Government of Québec, including SODEC, the Ministère des relations internationales et de la Francophonie, the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie and the Ministère de la Culture des Communications.

The conference also benefited from the support of invaluable cultural partners: Place des Arts, C2 Montréal, FTA, SAT, Xn Québec, La Piscine, Centre Phi, Culture Montréal, MT Lab, Printemps numérique and MTL 24/24.

RELIVE THE CONVENTION IN PICTURES

Download photos from the convention

Listen to the report by journalist Philippe-Antoine Saulnier and columnist Catherine Richer on Radio-Canada’s 15-18.

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