Canada Council announces new fund for 2017

Keen to get started onwhat it describes as an "unprecedented" reinvestment in the country'sarts and culture sector,the Canada Council for the Arts is announcing a new strategic plan and a special one-time $33.4million creation fund.

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The $1.9 billion set aside for arts and culture in the March 22federal budget is a "historic" move, said the council's director and CEO, Simon Brault.

"We believe it opens the door to an artistic renaissance, with outcomes that will benefit Canadians and the world," said Brault.

New Chapter fund

The one-yearfund,called New Chapter, isopen to artists and arts organizations to celebrateCanada's 150th anniversary in 2017 and will go towards projectsto be presented across Canada and internationally through 2019 and beyond.

An additional $1.8million will be invested in what the council refers to as reconciliationand Indigenous arts' initiatives.

The council will also implement a new digital strategy to help the professional arts sector use digital technologies to create and share work with audiences here and internationally.

The plan commits to action in fourareas:

• Increasing support to artists, collectives and organizations striving for excellence.
• Using digital technology to amplify the quality, quantity and sharing of Canadian art.
• Renewing the relationship between Indigenous artists and Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.
• Raising the international profile of Canadian artists.

The details of the council'sstrategic plan, Shaping a New Future 2016-21, are to goonline today.