Simon Brault
Simon Brault, who steps down as CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts on June 23, says governments continue to fall short on funding for the arts sector.
"Governments have a responsibility to adequately support the sector, at least to the same level as all other sectors – and that is still not the case," Brault writes in a recent open letter to the arts community.
"But in Canada and in an international context, we are making steady progress towards a lasting recognition of the essential role of the arts," he adds. "We are making progress because we are persistent, and we never give up. Our progress is obviously too slow, but I am convinced that it cannot be stopped."
The letter, mostly a positive rallying cry, is an early goodbye for Brault, who has been in the job for more than nine years. Brault notes he will leave Ottawa, but continue to support the arts sector in the future.
The federal government is yet to announce his successor.
Among the council's recent successes, Brault cites streamlining funding applications into six programs, including one that recognizes the sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.
He also mentions the doubling of the council's annual contributions to the arts sector with new government funding, and the provision of emergency pandemic funding to assist struggling artists.
Brault says the pandemic highlighted systemic inequities in the sector that need to be addressed, as well as endemic issues around remuneration and the lack of protections for artists and cultural workers.
"Despite the economic and other uncertainties and threats on the horizon, I believe that we are entering one of the most exciting and promising periods in the history of the arts in Canada," he writes. "It will be a time of real and lasting change for the arts and society."
"The climate emergency, armed conflicts and threats to human rights are calling on us to rethink the role of the arts and literature as levers for affirmation, healing, reconciliation, emancipation, solidarity and sustainable progress."
"One of the most significant projects for us is to ensure access to the power and benefits of artistic and literary creation for everyone in Canada regardless of cultural background, ethnicity, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, language or place of residence."
To read the full message, go here.