Speech by Pierre Lassonde, Chair, at the Annual Public Meeting of the Canada Council for the Arts

A new conversation about the arts

As you may know, I’ve made my career in the field of natural resources. But I’ve always maintained that our most valuable – and renewable – resource is our people and their talent. I would go so far to say that human inspiration is the ultimate resource. In Canada, we can be proud of our rich supply of artistic talent that inspires us and feed our souls. We see it every day in communities across the country. In the work of our writers, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists, dancers and theatre artists. I’m proud that we are bringing some of that incredible talent to our meeting today.

And what’s so exciting to me at this point in time is that the benefits that artists bring to our lives are being recognized more and more.

The new federal government has recognized the role of the arts in strengthening our economy and in shaping our identity. That’s why it has made the arts a priority with a commitment to significantly increase funding to the arts.

But that’s just one example. There are many stories from the past year of the arts involving and educating citizens in the major issues of our times.

Think of the recent report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Arts and culture were identified as playing a key role in building identity, community and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

The Council has worked with other national partners to launch an initiative that funds projects dedicated to supporting reconciliation. Indeed, reconciliation and self-determination will increasingly inform our support of artists from First Nations, Inuit and Métis arts communities.

Think also of sustainable development. It’s a major topic of concern these days and artists can be a powerful voice in conversations about what we value as a society and what we want to preserve for future generations.

A perfect example of this power voice is the Canadian exhibition, Extraction, to be presented at the 2016 Venice Biennale for Architecture. Canada is a world leader in the responsible extraction of resources. And the exhibition will present Canada’s creativity and innovation in terms of its commitment to this issue. The Canada Council is proud to partner with the Art Gallery of Alberta and OPSYS to bring this timely work to the world stage.

Our commitment to sustainability even extends to our office space. This beautiful building is not only a showcase for the arts – it a gold LEED-certified building that is highly efficient in terms of water and energy consumption, and lower carbon emissions.

I couldn’t speak about sustainable development without mentioning the work of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which is also housed within the Council. The Commission is an incredible network established 60 years ago with the mandate to create a more peaceful and better world through education, science, culture, information and communication. This mandate is as important as ever and it supports and reinforces the Council’s own work to make a difference through the arts.

Equity is another priority that runs throughout the Council’s work as we make concerted efforts to remove barriers to funding that culturally diverse artists have faced. Why is this important? Because we need all citizens to be able to see themselves in our arts. We need only to think of the “Oscars-so-white” controversy happening now in the U.S. entertainment industry. People did not recognize themselves in these awards.

And here, diversity is more than just an obligation – it’s part of who we are as Canadians. It’s our strength.

We have been shaped, throughout our history, by successive waves of immigration. With each of these waves, newcomers bring the gifts of their culture back home. That’s what builds a vibrant arts scene. That’s what builds understanding and empathy in citizens.

And what could be more important at a time when our world seems to be tilting toward violence and intolerance?

When we share our culture with newcomers we share a bit of ourselves. We are proud, at the Council, to have recently launched an initiative to share Canada’s culture by offering Syrian refugees free admission to performances and exhibitions across the country.

On the topic of diversity, I should also mention that I am also extremely proud that for the third consecutive year, the Council’s Board has been nominated for the Excellence in Governance Award from the Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries (CSCS). Specifically, in the category of “Best Practices to Enhance Board Diversity.” One of the strengths of the arts in Canada – indeed a strength of Canada itself – is diversity. We want to ensure this diversity is reflected and expressed at the highest levels of the Council.

Council’s shift for a brighter future for the arts

I could continue with many more examples of how the conversation around the arts is changing. I know you all could share stories about the difference the arts make in your lives, in your communities.

This shift in the way we are thinking and talking about the arts makes the transformations taking place at the Canada Council all the more relevant. It makes the opportunity that we have to make a difference all the greater.

The Council’s transformation allows us to breathe new life into the mandate we’ve had for close to 60 years – to foster and promote the production and enjoyment of the arts in Canada.

Most of you here in the room and joining us online know that the Council is undergoing a huge transformation to scale up its impact on the arts… and on the lives of all Canadians.

Of course, the main lever of change for a funding organization like the Council is its granting system. And that’s where our transformation begins…

I arrived at the Council in the midst of this groundbreaking work – and I want to underline how impressed I am with the Board and Staff. The work they’ve done to date has been bold, visionary, transformative. It has been carried out with commitment and competence. In other words, the Council is working hard to reflect in itself all the best that is Canada’s arts community.

In the past year we announced a new funding model to better reflect the current reality of the arts and the impact of technology on the creation and consumption of the arts. This new model reduces our suite of 147 grant programs to 6 national, non-disciplinary programs. The programs will come into effect in 2017, and have been designed to be more effective and efficient at supporting artists and organizations that innovate. That make their communities better places to live. That strengthen the arts sector.

That bring Canadian talent across the country and abroad. That take a self-determined approach to creating, knowing and sharing Indigenous arts.

Conclusion

This is also a year that leads up to the 150th anniversary of Canada and the 60th anniversary of the Canada Council in 2017.

It’s important to take time to recognize these milestones and to celebrate our future together. To tell a compelling story – to ourselves and to the rest of the world – about who we are as Canadians now and who we want to be in the future.

I can’t think of a better way to tell the story of Canada at 150 years than through the arts. I look forward to celebrating with all of you, as Chair of the Canada Council.

Thank you.