Canada Council and CBC Launch Digital Content Incubator

The following is excerpted from a release issued by the Canada Council for the Arts.

On May 28, the Canada Council for the Arts, together with CBC/Radio-Canada, announced plans to launch a new $1 million catalyst tool to amplify digital creation in Canada.

This initiative, called the Creation Accelerator, will support projects in a sequence of production stages. Successful applicants will receive an initial grant to work with a producer, along with the mentorship of CBC/Radio-Canada, on the development of an original idea. Following this incubation stage, the Canada Council and CBC/Radio-Canada will select concepts for production and potential distribution on CBC/Radio-Canada's platforms.

Speaking on the Creation Accelerator initiative, Simon Brault, director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts, said, “This initiative is a significant step towards supporting artists and arts organizations in the digital world. We are providing the arts sector with a new, innovative entry point to digital platforms offered by the CBC/Radio-Canada. It will give the arts sector access to an unprecedented number of Canadians. We believe there is a real appetite for original Canadian content rooted in this country’s inventive, diverse and dynamic arts sector.”

This pilot project will be open to artists and arts organizations across the country, in all fields of practice, including early career artists. No prior digital experience will be required. The Canada Council for the Arts will share full guidelines and details for the Creation Accelerator in late June, when the initiative opens for applications on the Council’s online granting portal.