Between November 2018 and August 2019, the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) and Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) worked together to conduct a joint public engagement initiative to gather input from northerners about their vision and ideas for arts priorities in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Over 500 individuals from communities throughout the NWT provided feedback through in-person interviews, focus groups, facilitated meetings and online surveys.

This What We Heard report is a summary of the main themes and key messages which emerged during public engagements. This public input will assist the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to shape the NWT Arts Strategy 2020-2030 (the ‘Strategy’). The Strategy will provide guidance to the GNWT in driving policy and in setting priorities to support, promote and enhance the arts sector.