Canada Council increases support for international market access

by Carole Epp | Jun 28, 2012 | Uncategorized

via The Canada Council for the Arts

The
Canada Council for the Arts announced today that it is adding $2
million to its existing support to individual artists and arts
organizations to access international markets, bringing dedicated
international market access funding this year to $7 million.

The increase will expand opportunities for artists to strengthen
their artistic practice and engage more members of the public with their
work as part of a broader suite of market access initiatives.

“Market
access is a critical component in how artists enrich the lives of
Canadians,” said Canada Council Director and CEO Robert Sirman. “This
support is part of a broader strategy of the Canada Council to give
artists the tools they need to not just make art but also reach the
broadest possible public with their work.”

Changes to the Council’s support to market access include the following:

• $500,000 has been added for international touring in the performing
  arts. The funds will be awarded to projects that were recommended by
  peer assessment committees in the current fiscal year.
• The maximum grant level for international touring in the performing
  arts will be increased next fiscal year from $50,000 to $75,000.
• New market access strategies will be introduced in writing and
  publishing by reallocating existing resources, and in media arts through
  targeted interventions, to strengthen competitiveness in a rapidly
  changing marketplace. The objective of these strategies is to help these
  sectors pursue new market opportunities online and adapt to the
  technological changes in each sector. These initiatives support both
  national and international access and more details will be released in
  coming months.

The increased support for market access comes from in-year budgetary
reallocations and is expected to grow even further in 2013-14.

The
Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national arts funder. Its
grants and payments to artists and arts organizations contribute to a
vibrant arts sector. Its awards celebrate creativity by recognizing
exceptional Canadians in the arts, humanities and sciences. The Canadian Commission for UNESCO operates under the general authority of the Canada Council.