Canada Council Invests $158 Million In Arts Funding
In 2009-10, the Council supported over 4400 artists and arts organizations, living and working in 536 communities across Canada, whose work reached into all regions and abroad.
It also compensated over 17,000 authors in 1765 communities for the availability of their books in libraries across Canada under the Public Lending Right program.
The Annual Report highlights the exceptional achievements of a sampling of the artists and organizations that received funding from grassroots arts projects to large-scale touring productions. Council funding enabled Canadians to enjoy works created and produced by professional artists and arts organizations, including books, dance performances, theatre productions, paintings, photos, films, circus arts, videos and music as well as multidisciplinary works.
“Council’s ability to continue to play a leadership role in establishing a nation-wide network of support for the arts depended on a number of factors, including the Government’s decision to maintain the present level of our Parliamentary appropriation,” noted Council Chair Joseph L. Rotman. “However, the Council would have no purpose were it not for the creative energy of the arts professionals of Canada who make an important contribution to the quality of life of all Canadians.”
“Through its work the Council strives to strengthen the infrastructure that supports the highest standards of profes sional arts practice in the country,” added Council Director and CEO, Robert Sirman, “an infrastructure that provides access to all Canadians to participate in the cultural life of the nation.”
Other highlights include:
• Over $145 million was awarded in 2347 grants to 2165 individual artists and 3853 grants to 2256 arts organizations, including theatre, dance and opera companies, orchestras, art galleries and artist run centres, film cooperatives and book publishers;
• 757 artists and arts professionals from 147 different Canadian communities sat on Council peer assessment committees, which evaluate grant applications;
• Close to 220 Canadian artists and scholars received
• $3.3 million in prizes or fellowships;
• $10 million was awarded in Public Lending Right payments;
• More than 1000 literary readings in 108 communities took place thanks to Council funding;
• Investment in the Council in 2009-10 was $5.43 per Canadian.