Details on $181.5M in Federal Arts and Culture Funding Emerge
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Socially distanced live events, like the UK music festival seen above, may be on offer via new live event and music funding.
On March 2, Minister Steven Guilbeault gave an update on the $181.5M in federal arts and culture funding announced in December: the funding will be invested into complementary programs to support artists, technicians, cultural workers, and arts groups and organizations. This will create short-term work opportunities, maintain stability in the live performance sector, and provide Canadians with access to arts and culture.
Canada Council for the Arts will receive $116.5M for two programs:
A new, one-time digital innovation fund that will enable recipients to adapt or create works to be shared with audiences online ($50.5M).
Explore and Create program that will enable individual artists and organizations to research, create, produce, and disseminate new works ($66M). This investment is in addition to the existing envelope, which will more than double the number of projects grants available.
Department of Canadian Heritage will receive $65M for two purposes:
New funding for COVID-safe live arts or music events that can be virtual or physically distanced ($40M will be delivered through Building Communities through Arts and Heritage, Canada Arts Presentation Fund, and the Canada Music Fund via FACTOR and Musicaction). Maximum funding is $100,000 per eligible applicant and can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs. Funding agreements for BCAH and CAPF will require recipients to dedicate at least 50% of funds to paying artists, workers, and support staff. We hope this will help absorb some of the risk and create some job opportunities.
Extension of Budget 2019 funding for Building Communities through Arts and Heritage, Canada Arts Presentation Fund, and the Canada Music Fund via FACTOR and Musicaction in 2021-2022 ($25M).
Additional information will be available on the Canada Council for the Arts and Department of Canadian Heritage websites. There will be an update to the Canadian Heritage website as of next week. You can also refer to the news release and backgrounder.
