The Blue Spaces will not all grow at the same speed: the Legault government gives priority to 11 regions in the creation of these museums of Quebec pride which must nest in heritage buildings. Unequal advances, determined according to the territory, which create incomprehension in the cultural environment.
In order, the preferred regions are Quebec, Gaspésie, Abitibi, Saguenay, Estrie, Charlevoix, Montreal, Montérégie, Laurentides, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Outaouais. These choices are found in email exchanges between the Musée de la civilization and the Ministère de la Culture obtained by The duty under the Access to Information Act.
Why these regions first, out of the 17 which will be entitled to a Blue Space? This order “depends on several factors, such as the presence of a heritage building with a sufficient surface area. […], various analyzes on the condition of the building in order to assess the scope of the work to be carried out there as well as a subsequent consultation with local and regional cultural organizations to ensure a unifying project ”, indicates the press officer of Minister Nathalie Roy, Louis-Julien Dufresne.
This deployment sequence is not fixed and is constantly evolving, assures the minister’s office, among other things because of the many factors to be considered for each project. What criteria does Quebec use to find the locations for future Blue Spaces? The attractiveness and tourist potential of the site are important, notes Mr. Dufresne. Also, “the strategic geographical location in terms of transport and access in particular”, continues the press officer, as well as “the already existing cultural service”.
In the choice of buildings, “the heritage or historical value of the existing building, with a view to requalification, preservation and enhancement” is also taken into account, underlines Mr. Dufresne. Its contribution to the cultural identity of the community and its architectural signature as well.
The possibilities of adapting the chosen spaces to museums are also a key element, as is the “feasibility” of the project in general.
In regional cultural circles interviewed by The duty – and who only come forward confidentially for fear of harming the initiatives in their area – what is striking are the speed and the very variable way of doing the Blue Space projects.
In some regions, the initiative galvanizes municipalities and is very well received. Elsewhere, silence or unanswered questions create unease.
Elsewhere again, the project is moving too quickly for the regional employees, who deplore not being consulted. Thus, for certain privileged places, the pace is out of the ordinary. “An infrastructure project is normally slow: four or five years to think about it,” said a regional cultural manager. “There, we are talking about opening [2022] : it goes very quickly. ” Too fast ? “It’s rarely seen. “
For the Legault government, the Blue Spaces will be “a cultural, tourist and social legacy never seen before, which will benefit all citizens and future generations”. “Our culture is a source of pride for our people, and thanks to the network of Blue Spaces, it will shine throughout Quebec, as it should,” continued Minister Roy’s office.
Regional employees set aside
“The regions have nothing to say”, underlined another speaker on the ground, stressing in particular that a region cannot refuse a Blue Space, even if it considers that it will unbalance its development plans or its current structures. . “In determining the places that will host the Blue Spaces, there is no consultation with the cultural community. “
A fact confirmed by Minister Roy’s office since the start of the project: “The choice of buildings is made by the Ministry of Culture and Communications, in collaboration with the Société québécoise des infrastructures and the Musée de la civilization. The cabinet ensures that consultation with regional players remains essential, although it will not begin until the content of these Blue Spaces is defined.
Still, this way of doing things seems cavalier to many cultural workers. “It is a project that is telegraphed in advance, politically, from the Prime Minister’s office, while it is supposed to promote the regions,” said another player in the middle. “The main vocation of our region was never taken into account in the choice of the place, whereas we say that we want to talk about regional identity. We were completely evacuated from the discussions. A meeting with the regional cultural councils took place on September 2, however, indicates the cabinet of Minister Roy.
With Dave Noël
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