Budget 2014 Includes Renewed Arts Funding
/The 2014 Budget, released by the federal Government on February 11, includes good news for the arts, culture and heritage sector regarding renewed and ongoing funding for key Canadian Heritage programs. The Canada Cultural Investment Fund, the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, and Canada Arts Presentation Fund have been renewed, as well as the Canada Book Fund and Canada Music Fund. The Budget Plan also makes permanent a portion of the funding to the Canada Council for the Arts that had previously been subject to annual renewal.
The 2014 Economic Action Plan states that, “The Government’s continued commitment to arts and culture helps build stronger communities by bringing people together through shared artistic and cultural experiences.”
The current allocated funds of $105 million per year to core cultural programs will become ongoing as of 2015-16.
Funding will become ongoing for the following key programs:
- $25 million for the Canada Council for the Arts
- $30.1 million for the Canada Cultural Investment Fund
- $30 million for the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
- $18 million for the Canada Arts Presentation Fund
- $1.8 million for the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust
Other renewed and ongoing funding includes:
- $9 million for the Canada Book Fund
- $8.8 million for the Canada Music Fund
- $4.2 million for the Virtual Museum of Canada
- $1.2 million for the Online Works of Reference
Funding for the Virtual Museum of Canada and the Online Works of Reference will be transferred to the Canadian Museum of History.
The Alliance is pleased to see that these arts and culture programs previously subject to renewal will receive an ongoing investment from the Government.
The Canadian Arts Coalition (CAC), a united national movement of artists, cultural workers, business leaders and volunteers, also applauded the Government for renewing the programs.
“We are pleased to see that the Government has delivered on one of our key recommendations. Minister Glover should be commended for her work to make this recommendation a reality in a timely fashion,” said CAC spokesperson Kate Cornell of the Canadian Dance Assembly.
The document also indicates that the Government will support celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of Canada’s Founding Conferences through existing programs.
The Budget Plan also includes positive news for Canadian charities. In an effort to reduce administrative burden on charities, CRA registration application and filing of returns will now be available electronically. To enhance public awareness, CRA will also establish an enhanced web presence on charitable giving trends and characteristics in Canada.
The Alliance will continue to monitor and provide updates on further developments related to the 2014 Budget; watch the blog for more information as it happens.
