Tuesday, November 13, 2007

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR COMPREHENSIVE HERITAGE STUDY

A request for proposals for a comprehensive heritage study is now underway on PEI.
Details of the RFP are outlined on the Province of PEI procurement website.

1. Purpose of Study

The purpose of this study is to review the heritage sector of the province and to make recommendations to the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour as to the appropriate role to be played by the Government of Prince Edward Island in responding to the needs of the sector.

2. Introduction

The Prince Edward Island Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour is seeking a consultant to undertake a comprehensive heritage study for the province.

The study will be one of the foundations of a heritage strategy which will be developed. The role of government with regard to the heritage of Prince Edward Island has developed over a number of years without a comprehensive framework. Capitalizing on specific initiatives and opportunities, the present institutions, programs and activities of government cover a wide range of heritage areas but lack cohesion and policy foundation. While the province has many institutions, organizations and activities of which it is proud, there are some heritage areas which are not addressed well or, in some cases, not addressed at all. Faced with significant needs for capital development, programing assistance and other heritage activity, the province is seeking to develop a more rational approach to management of heritage and heritage resources in the
province.

For the purpose of this study, “heritage” is defined to include the following:

Tangible cultural heritage - including, but not limited to, artifacts, buildings, cultural landscape and records;

Intangible cultural heritage - including, but not limited to, folklore, language, oral history and customs; and

Natural heritage - the land, sea, air, and flora and fauna of the province.

The Government of Prince Edward Island has a shared responsibility for heritage. It shares obligations with other levels of government and discharges some of its responsibilities in partnership with voluntary organizations. It operates heritage institutions itself and through arms-length crown agencies. It provides support for specific initiatives, as well as assistance directly and indirectly to organizations and institutions through such programs as grants, Jobs for Youth and other employment opportunities, and shared cost initiatives. While this study should recognize the role that other players have in the heritage area, the primary thrust of the study is to explore the role that is, can, and should be played by the Government of Prince Edward Island in the management of historic resources.

3. Project Management

A Heritage Study Steering Committee consisting of representatives from a number of province-wide organizations with heritage interests has been appointed to oversee the study. This committee should be considered a resource by the consultant. The groups include:
  • Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society
  • Community Museums Association of Prince Edward Island
  • Prince Edward Island Natural History Society Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation
  • Archives Council of Prince Edward Island
  • Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I.
  • Acadian Museum Association of P.E.I.
  • University of Prince Edward Island History Department

4. Process Expectations
The consultant is expected to undertake, at a minimum, the following:

• An initial meeting with the Heritage Study steering committee to obtain information and additional direction, as required.

• A comprehensive public consultation process which will afford the opportunity for Islanders to provide input, ideas and discussion related to heritage issues. This will normally include public meetings across the province, opportunities to present briefs or reports by groups or individuals, focus groups, and other participation opportunities. In accordance with provincial policy, an appropriate mechanism or mechanisms must be provided to allow for participation in the process by those whose primary language is French.

• A strategy to notify the public of opportunities to participate in the process.

• A review of recent relevant documentation and legislation concerning heritage in Prince Edward Island and adjacent provinces.

• Meetings with organizations, institutions, heritage professionals and interest groups in the heritage area.

• Identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system of heritage institutions, organizations and programs.

• Identification of gaps in the current system of heritage institutions, organizations and programs.

• Development of recommendations to address issues raised.

For more details see the full document

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