What is Tourism Oxford All About?

• Oxford’s 4 pillars of tourism: arts & culture, heritage, agritourism, gardening attractions

• A ‘member-based’ organization • Function of the County of Oxford • Serving eight municipalities• Mission: to make Oxford a better place to live,

work and play through development activities

and by helping our members grow their bottom line through tourism promotion

Cultural Collaboration in Oxford

• Rich base of heritage & creative talent• 2 unsuccessful attempts “arts council”• April 2003 public meeting of creative groups• October 2005 focus group (Ministry of Culture)• Task force created: next steps• Partnership: Tourism Oxford, Oxford Small

Business Support Centre, Oxford Community Foundation

• Ontario Trillium Foundation funding

Oxford Creative Connections Study

• Dr. Greg Baeker• Weekly core “partner” meetings• Monthly Steering Group Meetings• Information gathering: cultural mapping, surveys,

interviews, focus groups, town hall meeting• Final Report to County Council• Oxford County Council endorsement & funding

Final Report…Next Steps

• Working groups: Governance, Cultural Mapping, Communications/Networking

• Roundtable composition & recruitment• Annual cultural summit• Community Festival • Non-profit Incorporation• Senior funding – Ontario Trillium Foundation and Ontario

Ministry of Culture• Staffing and office space• Oxford Cultural Masterplan

Early Successes…..

• Oxford Studio Tour

• Oxford Presents brochure

• Oxford Fresh “Oxfordlicious”

• Black History Museum

• Oxford Heroes Trail

• Local art in new County Admin Building

• Local art – tourism venues

Successes