Partnership Agreement Between Department of Canadian Heritage and Canada Council for the Arts
OTTAWA, November 23, 2005 -- Minister of State (Multiculturalism) Raymond Chan, and Director of the Canada Council for the Arts John Hobday today announced a partnership agreement to be signed tomorrow that will lead to increased diversity in the arts sector. The InterActions Fund partnership agreement will enable professional artists and arts organizations from diverse cultural communities to increase their access to the Canada Council's programs and enhance their artistic development."The Government of Canada is proud to encourage the development of our culturally diverse arts community," said Minister of State Chan. "This new agreement will help reaffirm our commitment to support artists and arts organizations across the country in reflecting Canada's rich diversity."
"This partnership agreement will reinforce the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council's commitment to cultural diversity in the arts," said Mr. Hobday. "It will ensure that artists and arts organizations of diverse cultural heritage will be better able to share their artistic creations with both Canadian and international audiences."
The InterActions Fund will be co-funded by the Multiculturalism Program and the Canada Council for a total of $1 million per year over five years. This will enhance the Council's ability to respond to diverse artistic practices and emergent art forms, arts organizations with alternate models, and curatorial and critical writing activities that advance the enjoyment and understanding of these practices. It is directed towards professional artists and arts organizations eligible for Canada Council support and is consistent with the Council's practice of using peer assessment with the primary criterion of artistic excellence as the basis for grant decisions.
The partnership will allow for improved access for artists and audiences from culturally diverse communities and better outreach to artists and arts organizations to raise their awareness about the Council's programs and provide them with information about the application process.
The specific objectives of the partnership are:
- to promote the professional development of individual artists and encourage the development of culturally diverse arts communities
- to further professionalize and strengthen the development of new arts organizations
- to disseminate the work of artists and organizations representing culturally diverse communities in Canada and abroad
- to better inform and advise artists and arts organizations from diverse cultural communities on Council programs
The February 2005 federal budget provided for $25 million over five years to the Multiculturalism Program to enhance its contribution to equality for all. Funding for this new partnership comes from these additional funds.
Information:
Roy Bornmann
Office of the Minister of State (Multiculturalism)
(819) 997-9900
Jean-Guy Beaupré
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
Donna Balkan
Senior Communications Manager
Canada Council for the Arts
(800) 263-5588
(613) 566-4414 ext. 4134
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