Bringing the arts to life

The Canada Council for the Arts is proud to be Canada’s public arts funder. The Council contributes to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene through grants, services, prizes and payments to artists and arts organizations from Canada.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a denim outfit sitting at a table as she smiles into the camera.

The Choices Shaping the Future of Canada’s Arts Ecosystem

In her latest open letter, Director and CEO Michelle Chawla shares how current decisions are shaping the future of Canada’s arts ecosystem.

Black and white archival photo depicting cattle grazing with the Rocky Mountains in the backdrop.

Reviving the Lost Language of Alberta’s Black Cowboys

In his forthcoming collection, ’Boy, poet Bertrand Bickersteth gives voice to Alberta’s Black ranchers and shape to their creative legacy.

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Webinars and Information Sessions

Join a webinar or information session for guidance from a Program Officer.

A dark green rectangle displaying the exhibition title graphics, with <em>Edge Conditions</em> rendered in mossy green and <em>Inawendiwin</em> in sky blue.

Upcoming opening event in the Âjagemô Exhibition Space

Opening on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the exhibition Edge Conditions | Inawendiwin highlights how artists portray vibrant ecosystems where diverse species, stories and relationships converge.

Graphic on a mustard-yellow background with white abstract geometric shapes and the text ‘APM 2026 APA’ arranged vertically on the left.

2026 Annual Public Meeting (APM)

The Canada Council for the Arts APM took place on March 25, 2026.

Children raise their hands while watching a forest‑themed stage performance.

When Kids Discover the Arts, Communities Feel the Impact

Arts participation helps kids build confidence, empathy and essential skills—strengthening families and communities along the way.

Impact by the numbers

$1.5B

Spending by arts organizations in their communities

180,000

Artistic activities created, produced and presented by arts organizations

72M

Attendees at artistic activities

1:6

For every additional dollar the Council invested in organizations receiving core (operating) funding, those organizations spent six dollars in their communities.