Federal Budget will Better Support the Arts and Artists
-New funding for Canadian Heritage will assist in the pandemic recovery-
Close to $135-million for Canadian Heritage over the next three years was announced in the recent federal budget. This funding will accelerate pandemic recovery for theatres, cultural sites, musicians, and artists across the country.
The arts and cultural sectors have been hard hit during the pandemic with most venues offering vastly reduced programming or being shuttered all-together. This has caused months of hardship for performers, musicians, designers, and many others who work in the sector.
“This new funding will help the arts and cultural sectors get back on their feet and once again begin offering programming to their patrons,” says Steve Bellamy, CEO of Confederation Centre. “It has been a particularly difficult year for the thousands of Canadians who make their living through the arts. We are very optimistic these funds will help to bring venues and cultural centres back online and once again give these artists spaces to perform and create within.”
“We offer our gratitude to The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, and the federal government for offering this additional support at such a crucial time for the arts,” adds Bellamy. “We look forward to working with Canadian Heritage as these new funds are rolled out.”
Confederation Centre receives approximately 30-percent of its annual operating budget from Canadian Heritage, and taps into various funds within the Department to assist on such projects as the development of new, original works; art exhibitions; and heritage programs.