This text is part of the special Higher Education notebook
At the University of Quebec en Outaouais (UQO), passion for culture is taught. Through the UQO Cultural Passeurs project, education students are invited to attend museums, theaters, book fairs, art galleries and other cultural establishments to then use them as a learning lever and transmit a taste for culture. art, with the support of important presenters in the region.
Born in 2017 at the University of Sherbrooke, the Cultural Passeurs initiative was launched just a few weeks ago at the University of Quebec in Outaouais. It is aimed at all future teachers, from all programs, whether they are pursuing primary or secondary education, special education, etc.
“They must, among other things, develop a skill, which is that of being a cultural transmitter. What is a cultural courier? She is a person who experiences culture on a daily basis, and who will talk about it to students, pique their curiosity and give them a taste for culture in all its facets,” describes Judith Émery-Bruneau, full professor in the Department of Sciences of education at UQO and co-responsible for the project.
A teacher could go and applaud a play, then start a discussion with his class around the theme of this production. The concept of cultural transmitters recommends the implementation of projects based on the cultural approach to teaching, that is to say on reflection and on the links between cultural works and educational content.
“For example, our students will go see the documentary theater play Milk run. This is a great opportunity to learn about the reality of dairy production in Quebec, and to create class content around the history of farms in Quebec or the ethics of dairy production. This can be worked on in different facets, in course content in primary school, by a specialist science and technology teacher in secondary school or in a social universe course. »
Of the dozen professional skills that UQO bachelors in education must develop, that of cultural transfer, of acting as ambassadors, heirs, critics and mediators of culture, comes to the forefront, just ahead of linguistic competence, linked to language proficiency. Then come the notion of classroom management and other skills specific to the program.
“This is part of their job description,” points out Judith Émery-Bruneau. We promote the relevance and importance of culture, to become better citizens, humans more open to our current society. »
Important regional partnerships
An agreement was thus concluded with three major cultural presenters: the Maison de la culture de Gatineau, the Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau and the Galerie UQO. These institutions give UQO students access to shows and other cultural activities free or at low cost. Other partnerships are also being finalized with the Salon du livre de l’Outaouais and the Maison des arts littéraires in Gatineau. The Cultural Passeurs formula apparently arouses keen interest in the cultural community, where the rumor of its existence has spread like wildfire. Collaboration offers abound, indicates Judith Émery-Bruneau.
The Ministry of Higher Education offered financial support of more than $130,000 for this project. Contribution is also hoped for from the Ministry of Culture and Communications. Judith Émery-Bruneau wants Cultural Passeurs to encourage the creation of other government funding promoting access to culture among teachers, following the example of countries like France and Cuba.
Beyond its educational values, the Cultural Passeurs platform also contains numerous benefits for the Outaouais region, especially taking into account its geographical and social position. “As the Outaouais is on the border with Ontario, we are also on the border culturally, between a French-speaking and Quebec culture spread on the Outaouais side, and an English-speaking culture on the Ottawa side. The challenge, in Outaouais, is to ensure that we maintain cultural vitality in French, which will endure and which will be valued. Who better placed to perpetuate this promotion of the arts than teachers? They will train generations of culture consumers, citizens who will, sooner or later, be invited to see a show and talk about it in their region. We are also working to revive the dynamism of the cultural sector in a post-pandemic context, with this project,” explains Judith Émery-Bruneau.
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