1st review of Manitoba's arts, culture industry in nearly 30 years offers 'action plan' but few specifics

A long-awaited government reviewof Manitoba's arts and culture industryrevealed the government plans more reviews, but didn't detail any new investments.

A 19-page report released Tuesday is effusive in its praise of theindustry, but doesn't go into specifics on howthe province will offer support.

Sport, Culture and HeritageMinister Cathy Cox argued the first review of Manitoba's arts sector in nearly 30 years didn't need to get those details.

"You have to understand that when we talk about this plan, this isan action plan that's going to guide us in decision-making over the next five or 10 years," Cox told reporters Tuesday at the Manitoba Museum,in front of a refurbished replica of the Nonsuch, a17th-century British ship.

In Our Way Forward: Manitoba's Culture Policy and Action Plan adocument nearly two years in the makingthe governmentpromised to examine the way it distributes funding grants to simplify the application process, and to develop a websiteso funding opportunities arewidely shared.

The province will also createa heritage trust program to entice the private sector to donate to museums and archives.

The government said it will work with funding agencies and grant donors to ensure diversity in cultural programming and collaborate with Indigenous, francophone and minority communities to ensure their cultures are reflected.

'Value for money is important'

The report did not explain how the province would achieve these goals, however.

When pressed on specific investments the Progressive Conservative government ismaking in the arts, Cox referred to last week's announcement the governmentwill double the province's film and video production tax credit, and to previously announced funding like $15 million for the Winnipeg Art Gallery's Inuit Art Centre and $10 million for the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada.

"We have done a lot of legwork already while working on this document," she said.

Cox did not rule out the possibility offunding cuts.

"This is a plan and I can'tdetermine, you know, what the future holds," she said. "Our governmentvalues arts, we value culture and that is very representative of what we've done since we've become government."

TrudySchroeder, executive director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, would have been more surprised if the reportcame withbig spending promises.

"Inthe context of the current provincial government's priorities, we would have been somewhat unrealistic to expect large financial announcements at this time that would have been shocking."

Schroeder said she was encouraged by the commitment the province appears to be showingthe arts sector, even if she wanted more details.

Steven Schipper, the departingartistic director of Winnipeg's Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, said the report didn'tneed to spell out new initiatives.

"I think it's prematureto put dollar amounts [out there], but one senses that value for money is important and so is the return on investment," he said.

He said the broadercommunity sometimes overlooks the economic value of the arts, and he appreciates the governmentacknowledging the value of an industry that brought in $1.6 billion in 2016.

RobertaChristiansontook part in the province's last arts review in 1990.

The chairof the Manitoba Arts Council commended the government for involving the arts sector itself in the promotion and development of its livelihood.

"I think it would be inappropriate to be talking money at this point. I think that it's more appropriate to talk about the actions that the government has committed," she said.

Public libraries under microscope

The government also promised Tuesday to review the funding model for public libraries to "realign provincial funding."

A look atthe long-term sustainability of public libraries is overdue, Cox said.

"I don't wantto talk out of turn and say anything that might sort of pre-empt what we're planning to do, butwe're really not there yet," Cox said, when asked whetherlibraries should expect consolidation or more funding.

"We continue to have those discussions andwe want to make sure we get it right."

The government previously said it would alsoreview the effectiveness of Manitoba Film and Music, the Crownagency supportingthe province'sfilm, television and music industries.

Read the report: