CBC/Radio-Canada and Canada Council for the Arts announce the "Digital Originals" funding initiative to support the arts community
New micro-innovation grants that champion culture, connect artists and audiences in Canada, and inspire innovative cultural programming
Ottawa, April 21, 2020―CBC/Radio-Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts today announced the creation of Digital Originals, a new time-limited funding initiative to help artists, groups and arts organizations pivot their work for online audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will directly benefit creators of original digital content.
The Canada Council will provide a total of $1 million in funding to successful applicants to develop, create and share original or adapted works with Canadian audiences online. CBC/Radio-Canada will showcase and amplify the discoverability of select projects on one or more of its platforms.
Digital Originals will help to keep Canadian artists working, while connecting them to audiences from coast to coast to coast. In this time of social isolation, CBC/Radio-Canada is delighted to collaborate once again with the Canada Council and to kickstart creativity, bring creators' work to new audiences, and ensure that our cultural sector thrives, now and in the future.
Catherine Tait, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, even as social linkages are unravelling because of forced confinement, local artists have understood and responded by sharing their works online in unprecedented numbers. The Canada Council for the Arts aims to further support digital creation, production and dissemination, now during this pandemic, when it is most needed, and into the aftermath, which we can expect to be long and difficult. We are grateful to CBC/Radio-Canada for continuing to partner with us in bringing the arts to life, online.
Simon Brault, Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts
The Digital Originals initiative will allow artists, creators and makers to apply for a maximum of $5,000 in funding per project. The Canada Council will fund approximately 200 projects. CBC/Radio-Canada will curate and feature select projects in a digital showcase; showcased projects will receive a $1000 grant supplement. Artists can apply with a brand-new work or adapt their work for online sharing.
For more information on the CBC/Radio-Canada programming announced on April 21, please visit their media centre.
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About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic and Chinese, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
About the Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts contributes to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and
literary scene that reaches across Canada and around the world. The Council is Canada’s public
arts funder. The Council’s grants, services, initiatives, prizes, and payments support Canadian
artists, authors, and arts groups and organizations.
This support allows them to pursue artistic
expression, create works of art, and promote and disseminate the arts. Through its arts funding,
communications, research, and promotion activities, the Council fosters ever-growing
engagement of Canadians and international audiences in the arts.
Media Contact
Marc Pichette
Senior Director, Public Relations and Promotion
Radio-Canada
E-mail: marc.pichette@radio-canada.ca
cell. 514 712-4342
Katherine Wolfgang
Director of Communications
CBC
E-mail: katherine.wolfgang@cbc.ca
cell. 323 550-5821