Sustaining a Living, Inclusive and Creative City

Abstract

This project linked the Institute of Urban Studies with the broader community in Winnipeg and Saskatoon for the purpose of participating in the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, the theme of which is "Better City, Better Life." Using a community learning framework, the University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies, Art City and the Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming Inc. (SCYAP) collaborated to visualize and document a prairie perspective on the themes of Expo 2010. Using multiple mediums and forms of interaction, the project team engaged with children and youth in both cities to create different forms of artistic expression on the theme of city life on the Canadian prairies. These efforts were documented on an evolving website titled “Living Prairie City” (http://ius.typepad.com/living_prairie_city/), and culminated with the production of public art slated for eventual installation.