2025 Annual Public Meeting of the Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts’ Annual Public Meeting (APM) took place on March 19, 2025.

The 2025 APM was presented in front of a live audience at Council offices, in Ottawa, and livestreamed online.

Jesse Wente, Chair of the Board, and Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO of the Council, shared insights on Canada’s arts scene, an overview of upcoming initiatives and updates on the Council’s strategic priorities.

Information booths were included in this year’s event and Canada Council representatives were in attendance to address the program- and application-specific questions of the in-person attendees.

Did you miss the 2025 APM?

Read the speeches delivered by Jesse Wente, Chair of the Board, and Michelle Chawla, Canada Council Director and CEO.

A recording of the event in English with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, simultaneous translation and closed captioning is available below. (Read the written transcript.)

“I want to thank the artists and people working in the arts: for sharing your talents, hard work, and creativity with us. At a time when Canadians have an important opportunity to come together and decide where we want to go next, you give expression to the ideas, hopes, and dreams that can guide our country. You inspire us. You make us proud on the world stage. And you unite us, in all our vibrant diversity, to create the future together."

—Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts

To locate related content on social media use #CanadaCouncil25.

What is an annual public meeting and why hold one?

As a Crown corporation, the Canada Council for the Arts is legally required to hold an annual public meeting. Beyond the requirement, it is a great opportunity to share annual updates with the arts community and the wider public in Canada.

2024 recording

2024 speeches