Par Caroline Gignac - Responsable des stratégies politiques et de la recherche

At a press conference on June 28, the Hon. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage provided the following key details in regard to the investment in the recovery and safe reopening of the arts, culture, heritage and sport sectors

As announced in the 2021 Budget, $300 million over two years will be invested through existing programs. The distribution of these funds includes the following two elements: 

- Strengthening the Foundation for Recovery - to provide additional support to arts, culture and sport organizations that are still struggling to achieve operational sustainability as a result of the pandemic.

- Investing in Recovery - to provide financial assistance to arts, culture and heritage organizations and Canadians who are ready to lead the recovery of the arts, culture and heritage sectors to help them become more resilient, innovative and adapt their business models. The Fund will also help promote equality, diversity and inclusion in these sectors, as well as undertake an environmental shift. 

It was also announced that a two-year, $200M Re-opening Fund will be established to support Canadian festivals, cultural gatherings, outdoor theatre, heritage celebrations, local museum exhibits and amateur sport events, among others. The Fund will support organizations and projects that offer in-person activities or experiences to attract customers to our communities. It will complement the tourism-related initiatives of the federal regional development agencies. It will be managed by Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts and Telefilm Canada. 

Overview of the distribution of the stimulus and re-opening funds:

Canada Council for the Arts

- $50M in 2022-23: $20M for research, creation and production; $5M for national touring and market development; $25M for sector innovation 

- $25 M in 2021-22 to enable core funding recipients to invest in activities to retain existing audiences and build new ones

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

- $5 M in year one (2021-22) to support not-for-profit professional performing arts organizations that are struggling to sustain themselves and their operations, particularly those that own or operate a performance venue that is at greater financial risk

- $25M in year two (2022-2023) to assist not-for-profit professional performing arts organizations with expenses incurred to promote audiences to return.

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

- $12M over two years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023) to support recurring festivals that present arts and heritage programming, or the work of local artists and artisans or heritage performers, including LGBTQ2+ events and celebrations of Aboriginal culture

Canada Arts Training Fund

- $5M in the first year (2021-2022) to support the continued operation of not-for-profit professional arts training organizations

You will find the full range of planned investments in the following document.

How do I apply?

- New Funding Applicants: In some programs, new funding applicants will be able to submit their proposal through the online application portal. Details regarding eligibility and the portal will be available in the coming weeks.

- Existing Recipients: For existing recipients, Canadian Heritage programs subject to stimulus and re-opening funds will be providing details in the coming weeks on how eligible stakeholders and industry members can apply for additional support.