Ignorant Youth Unfamiliar with Quebec's Cultural Landscape

In the cultural landscape of Quebec, a growing concern has emerged about the lack of interest among young people in local television, cinema, literature, and music. A survey, the Quebec Survey on Cultural Leisure and Entertainment, has highlighted this trend, revealing that only 14.5% of 15 to 29-year-olds read "mainly" Quebec authors, and less than 4% listen "mainly" to music by Quebec artists [1].

However, the vulnerability of our culture is significant, and decision-makers in the cultural world are taking action. The phenomenon is not unique to our society, and strategies to boost interest in Quebec culture among young people involve a mix of youth-led cultural promotion, community engagement, and government-funded cultural events.

One such initiative is Youth 4 Youth Québec (Y4Y), an organization that encourages young artists (ages 15-30) to express themes related to nature, sustainability, identity, and community through diverse media including visual arts. These contributions are showcased in pop-up galleries and public showcases, fostering cultural expression and engagement among youth of various backgrounds, including English-speaking youth in Quebec [1].

Another approach involves funding culturally rich festivals that present local talent. The Canadian government supports major cultural festivals such as the M.A.D. Festival in Montréal, which showcase local creativity and innovation in arts, including music and visual arts. This funding helps these festivals attract diverse audiences and offer renewed, dynamic cultural experiences that engage youth and the broader community [4].

Community and educational outreach is another key strategy. Programs supported by the RCMP Foundation involve officers in community events to promote youth involvement and cultural pride in Quebec. Such events are designed to build bridges and foster cultural connection among young people through direct engagement [5].

Recognising the media consumption habits of young people compared to older generations is crucial. Research and policy briefs from Y4Y Quebec analyse how young people consume media, favouring social media, and highlight the need to adapt cultural content delivery methods to digital platforms favoured by youth to maintain interest in Quebec culture [1].

While specific strategies in television, cinema, literature, and music are not detailed extensively in the search results, the combination of youth-driven cultural projects, government-supported festivals, and community engagement events illustrates a broad framework aimed at revitalizing cultural interest among Quebec's younger generations.

This framework relies on enabling youth artistic creation and public display, funding culturally rich festivals that present local talent, bridging generational media divides through digital engagement, and facilitating community pride and participation in cultural activities. Together, these strategies contribute to making Quebec’s culture more accessible and appealing to young people in the province.

However, it is important to note that the classic model of cultural consumption still caters to an older population. To truly engage young people, a shift towards digital platforms and youth-driven initiatives may be necessary. Private media face challenges in this regard, and public funds for cultural media are dwindling, making it crucial for the government to support these initiatives to ensure the continued vibrancy and relevance of Quebec culture.

[1] Youth 4 Youth Quebec (Y4Y) - https://www.youth4youthquebec.com/ [4] M.A.D. Festival - https://madfestival.ca/ [5] RCMP Foundation - https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/rcmp-foundation