April 13, 2018 – Here are a few cultural infrastructure funding opportunities and updates.
Revised guidelines for the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
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Canadian Heritage published revised guidelines for the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. Pursuant to announcements in the 2017 federal budget and in the Creative Canada policy, the program now offers funding for creative hubs and to not-for-profit organization that are proposing the development and management of a creative hub.
But what is a creative hub?
Here is the definition provided by the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund:
“Creative hubs provide Canadian creative talent with access to shared space, equipment and other resources to develop the skills needed to thrive in, and contribute to, the creative economy. These spaces bring together professionals from a range of arts or heritage sectors and creative disciplines where they can build their entrepreneurial skills, create, collaborate and innovate, and help generate new markets for Canadian creativity in all its form.”
The Fund will also continue to support renovation and construction projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment and feasibility studies related to cultural spaces.
The Fund’s annual grants and contributions budget is $54 million for the period 2018-2028. Applications are received on an ongoing basis.
Investing in Canada Plan
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In addition to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, the government of Canada will also be investing $1.3 billion in community, culture and recreation infrastructure as part of the Investing in Canada Plan. This funding will be delivered through bilateral agreements between Infrastructure Canada and each of the provinces and territories. To find out about the status of the bilateral agreement and the funding allocations in you province or territory, visit the Infrastructure Canada website.
Cultural hubs or community hubs?
While the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund is integrating the notion of creative hubs, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage is conducting a study on cultural hubs and cultural districts. Members of the Committee have been raising questions about the connections and differences between cultural hubs and community hubs, as well as on ways that the government can either support cultural hubs or remove any hurdle, in both urban and rural areas.
What’s your opinion on cultural hubs and on community hubs? What are the virtues of each model? And can they coexist?
Please provide input by posting a comment on the Canadian Arts Coalition’s website.
The study is an opportunity to help the government shape cultural policy and programs. Your input is valuable.
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