Arts Across Canada and Abroad – Canada Council for the Arts

By GovPrepare News Desk – November 2, 2025

Standfirst: The Canada Council for the Arts has expanded its funding for cultural engagement across Canada and internationally, aiming to serve more diverse communities and strengthen global collaboration in the arts sector. The initiative will benefit artists, institutions, and audiences nationwide and abroad.

Key Highlights

• The Canada Council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting arts across Canada and internationally through expanded funding programs.
• Two main programs – Arts Across Canada and Arts Abroad – have been significantly updated to reflect inclusivity and global engagement.
• Funding aims to increase mobility, international partnerships, and multilingual support for diverse communities.
• New criteria empower Indigenous artists and underrepresented groups to access global opportunities.
• The Council promotes Canadian cultural diplomacy through partnerships in over 70 countries.
• Programs now aligned with federal cultural and equity goals outlined by Canadian Heritage and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Background and Context

The Canada Council for the Arts, a federal Crown corporation, is the primary national arts funder responsible for fostering and promoting the study and enjoyment of the arts in Canada. Established in 1957, the Council supports over 28,000 artists and 2,000 arts organizations annually through its various funding streams and strategic initiatives.

In recent years, the Council has aligned its funding activities with the federal government’s inclusion and reconciliation priorities. In 2016, it launched a new funding model aimed at empowering a broader range of artistic voices, with a strong focus on Indigenous and culturally diverse communities.

The two programs in focus – Arts Across Canada and Arts Abroad – are long-standing initiatives that had not undergone major updates since 2017. These programs fund activities that promote artistic exchange within Canada and cultural diplomacy globally. The reforms in 2025 reflect evolving social, linguistic, and technological demands in the cultural sector.

The New Development

On October 31, 2025, the Canada Council for the Arts announced updated program guidelines and funding availability for both Arts Across Canada and Arts Abroad, with immediate effect. The announcement was made by Council Director and CEO Michelle Chawla during an online national briefing with media partners and cultural stakeholders.

The Council will allocate over CAD $40 million annually to both programs combined, with $25 million earmarked for national collaboration and $15 million for international partnerships. Both streams are now more accessible to individuals and organizations serving Indigenous, deaf, disabled, racialized, LGBTQIA2S+, and official language minority communities.

Key changes include:

• Expanded eligibility for individual artists and unincorporated collectives.
• New funding categories for digital cultural exchange and virtual residencies.
• Greater support for language accessibility and regionally under-represented communities, including the North and rural Canada.
• Strategic support for partnerships with culturally diverse international organizations, especially in the Global South.

The reforms are influenced by several consultations held since 2021, including community roundtables, an equity audit, and feedback from international cultural partnerships.

Expert and Industry Reaction

Martine Roy, Director of the Quebec Council for Arts and Culture, welcomed the development: “These updates provide much-needed visibility and mobility for francophone artists outside Quebec and artists positioned at the intersection of diversity and innovation.”

The Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA) issued a statement thanking the Council for integrating principles of Indigenous self-determination into the new Arts Abroad funding criteria. “Providing First Nations artists with meaningful international opportunities that respect cultural protocols is a step forward towards reconciliation in the arts,” the statement read.

International institutions have also voiced support. Dr. Sebastian Möller, Cultural Attaché for the German Embassy in Ottawa, commented that Canadian arts are “increasingly seen as a global model for decentralized, inclusive cultural development.”

Alignment with Global or National Standards

The revised programs align with multiple international and federal strategies:

• UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Particularly Goals 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Canadian Heritage Mandate: Aligns with Canada’s Creative Export Strategy and Action Plan for Official Languages.
• UNESCO 2005 Convention: Complies with the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which Canada ratified.
• Accessibility Standards Canada: Efforts reflect compliance with the Accessible Canada Act regulations effective since 2022.

Impact on Stakeholders

For Artists: More artists across Canada will gain access to funding, showcasing opportunities, and international collaborations, especially those working outside conventional arts centers. Increased digital engagement allows further flexibility for remote practices.

For Cultural Institutions: Organizations presenting artists from other provinces or internationally will receive tailored support, benefiting theaters, galleries, festivals, and community-based venues alike.

For Government and Diplomatic Partners: The initiative enhances cultural diplomacy by giving Canadian embassies and consulates additional capacity for cultural programming abroad. This furthers Canada’s soft power framework, as outlined by Global Affairs Canada.

Long-term Effects: Stakeholders expect that these program reforms will increase sustainability in arts employment, foster national unity through cultural exchange, and improve Canada’s international cultural standing.

Official Guidance

• Canada Council for the Arts – Funding Programs
• Canadian Heritage Official Website
• Global Affairs Canada – Cultural Strategy
• UNESCO Cultural Diversity Convention
• Accessibility Standards Canada

Conclusion

The Canada Council for the Arts’ revamped Arts Across Canada and Arts Abroad programs represent a forward-thinking upgrade to Canada’s national and international arts support framework. With enhanced inclusivity, innovation, and global orientation, the programs are anticipated to empower a new generation of culturally diverse creators, organizations, and audiences.

Further updates and application deadlines will be posted on the Canada Council website. Stakeholders are encouraged to subscribe to funding bulletins and attend upcoming info sessions throughout Winter 2025-2026.

Excerpt (Meta Description): Canada Council for the Arts expands funding for its Arts Across Canada and Abroad programs to boost inclusivity and global cultural engagement.

Tags: Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Across Canada, Arts Abroad, Canadian Heritage, cultural funding, creative exports, international arts, Indigenous artists, cultural diplomacy, national arts budget, accessibility in arts, UN SDGs