September 29, 2017
On September 28th, 2017, the Minister of Canadian Heritage unveiled her plan for a Creative Canada. This is the first outcome of a 16-months long consultation on Canadian Content in a Digital World.
Two announcements within the plan are of particular, positive note for the performing arts sector:
First, the Minister announced that part of the $300 million investment in the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund will be made available for creative hubs across the country. These hubs will help nurture and incubate the next generation of artists and cultural entrepreneurs. It will provide them with spaces and equipment to create, collaborate and innovate. Cities that do not yet have such a creative hub would be good candidates for this targeted cultural spaces funding, as well as for the $1.26 billion five-year Strategic Innovation Fund.
Second, the Minister laid out plans for the continuation of the 2016 “Showcasing Canada” investment. The Creative Export Strategy will provide $125 million over five years to sustain cultural and trade officers, as well as trade missions. In addition, a new Creative Export Fund will be launched in 2018 to help Canadian creators achieve their international business objectives.
These investments follow recommendations made by CAPACOA and the Canadian Arts Coalition (see the CAC’s news release).
Thank you to CAPACOA and the CAC for their summaries of these developments. We will keep our membership informed as additional information becomes available.