Commitments
Strategic Vision
Our strategic plans lay out our broad directions to maximize our support to the arts sector and our impact on the public. In 2021, we report on the achievements of our 2016–21 plan as we release our 2021–26 plan, Art, now more than ever.
2016–2021 achievements
From 2016 to 2021, we supported an ever more dynamic, inclusive and connected arts sector, and we did it according to the four broad commitments in our 2016–21 strategic plan.
The commitments in our 2016–21 strategic plan focussed on arts support, increased sharing of artistic creation through digital media, Indigenous creation and the international presence of the arts. The plan also reaffirmed our long-standing commitment to equity, inclusion and official languages, as well as to the next generation of artists and audiences. The plan presented a vision for stronger support of the arts sector to build a strong culture of engagement with all people across Canada and with audiences around the world.
In the final year of that plan and during the pandemic, we continued to support the arts through our regular programs, for which we received more applications. With the support of the government, we implemented special funding initiatives, including emergency support for arts organizations, emergency support for Indigenous and equity-seeking groups and organizations, and the Community Cares and Digital Originals initiatives. We also supported digitally focussed international events like those for the 2020 Edinburgh festivals. We will report on the results of these initiatives in the coming months.
Overall Investment: $487M
In 2016, the Government of Canada announced the doubling of the Council’s budget between 2016 and 2021.
Of the additional $550 million promised between 2016 and 2021, we invested $512 million (or 93.1%) directly into the arts sector. The remaining 6.9% of that investment went to services to the community, partnerships, program delivery and general administration.
We have delivered on all of our commitments, and we had surpassed most of our targets by 2020–21. We are mindful that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the entire arts sector and our work in significant ways. As the context evolved through 2020, we were able to monitor the situation closely and to adapt our approach as we continued to pursue our commitments.
Details
This infographic shows the Council’s planned and actual additional investment in the arts sector and surpassing its target for 2020–21.
- Actual additional investment in the arts sector as of 2020–21: $512 million
- Target additional investment in the arts sector: $487 million
- Final status: Surpassed
Overview of our Commitments
Ongoing Commitments
In addition to the four commitments in its 2016-21 Strategic Plan, the Canada Council created opportunities for youth and will continue to deepen its longstanding commitment to equity, inclusion and official languages.
Art, now more than ever: Strategic Plan 2021-26
Discover our strategic vision for a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive sector.