A national association that connects local culture to global opportunities
CAPACOA takes a leadership role in highlighting Canada on world stages, and connecting exceptional Canadian talent with international audiences.
The International Market Development Committee (IMDC) drives CAPACOA’s international agenda by pursuing export opportunities and cultural diplomacy, leading to deeper collaborative, reciprocal and creative relationships with other countries and communities through arts and culture.
IMDC is charged with:
- Developing an ongoing national export strategy leading to Canadian artist discoverability.
- Amplifying existing relationships between Canadian arts organizations and associations, and their international counterparts.
- Discovering key markets of interest, and becoming a catalyst for collaborative exchange.
- Convening cultural delegations to explore international events that represent touring and presenting opportunities for Canadian artists.
When Canadian artists are amplified in the international marketplace, the increased opportunities extend throughout the sector, to the advantage of agents, presenters and producers. Cross-border tours, anchored by enriched international fees and supported by public funding, enhance domestic tour dates by pooling resources like fees, marketing strategies and logistics.
Working collaboratively with artists, agents, presenters and producers, as well as partners in arts and culture, CAPACOA is creating opportunities with far-reaching impact for Canadian artists and Canadian organizations around the world.
“Arts and culture are foreign policy assets…the main conclusion is that cultural diplomacy should be a pillar of Canada’s Foreign Policy.”
From the Cultural Diplomacy at the Front Stage of Canada’s Foreign Policy report by the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International trade