July 15, 2009
Federal Renewal of Cultural Investments
Ottawa - On June 26th, at the Vancouver Arts Summit, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, James Moore, announced $504 million worth of renewed arts funding for the next five years to be administered through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts.
While this funding isn't "new" but rather a continuation of current program budgets with no increases, it is nevertheless welcome because it means more stability and predictability of support levels for the organizations that participate in these programs; especially given these turbulent economic times.
While the Minister did not address the CMA's longstanding interest in a renewed Museum Policy and Programs, this is a welcome announcement for CMA members for the following reasons:
1. Renewal of Cultural Spaces Canada Program: The Cultural Spaces Canada Program (now called the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund) has been renewed through 2014-15, along with its annual budget of $30 million. This program allows museums to undertake renovation, construction and/or improvement projects; acquire specialized equipment; and conduct feasibility studies.
Remember also that this program's budget has been increased to $60 million per year for 2009-10 and 2010-11, part of the larger government-wide physical infrastructure initiative. This means that for the remainder of this fiscal year and for next year, there is twice the amount of money available for projects. The program has also temporarily increased its maximum level of support to 50 percent of eligible costs. It had previously been 33 percent or 40 percent (depending on project type). For funding available in 2009-10 and 2010-11, priority will be given to projects that clearly demonstrate a contribution to economic stimulus through immediate job creation and longer-term economic impacts. Submitted projects must be fully completed by March 31, 2011 to be considered for funding. For more information, please see this link: www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ecc-csp/index-eng.cfm 
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2. Renewal of Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program: The Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program (now called the Canada Cultural Investment Fund) has been renewed through 2014-15, along with its annual budget of $33.8 million. Of particular interest to CMA members here is the Capacity Building component of the program, which allows museums to undertake projects to improve their administrative, organizational, and financial structures. For more information, please see this link: www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/pcapc-cahsp/index-eng.cfm .
3. Renewal of $25 million in annual budget of Canada Council for the Arts: The Canada Council for the Arts has had $25 million of its annual budget renewed through 2014-15. The CMA is pleased to see ongoing stable funding at the Canada Council, which supports our gallery members.
Summary of Department of Canadian Heritage programs affected:
• Canada Cultural Spaces Fund: $30 million per year through 2014-15 (formerly called Cultural Spaces Canada Program). Note that this program's annual budget has been increased to $60 million per year in each of 2009-10 and 2010-11.
• Canada Cultural Investment Fund: $33.8 million per year through 2014-15 (formerly called Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program)
• Canada Arts Presentation Fund: $33.4 million per year through 2014-15 (formerly called Arts Presentation Canada Program)
• Canada Arts Training Fund: $24.1 million per year through 2014-15 (formerly called National Arts Training Contribution Program)
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For more information, please go to the general announcement on the Department of Canadian Heritage's website. To see the page, click here .
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