The Canadian Arts Coalition is calling on Ottawa to inject an extra $350 million into the cultural sector in the next federal budget.
The coalition, a national lobby group that speaks on behalf of artists and arts organizations, suggests the funding be channeled through the Canada Council for the Arts and various Canadian Heritage programs.
"In a time of stagnant public funding, reeling from post-pandemic realities and the slow climb to rebuild, there are significant risks and pressures," the coalition said in a pre-budget submission to the government's finance committee.
"Such pressures could be reversed, and a more significant return on investment realized, should organizations be supported by federal investment to build back diverse audiences, increase equitable investment in creative workers, and incentivize private giving."
The coalition, which released its submission Tuesday, urges an additional $140 million to increase the Canada Council's annual granting budget to $500 million.
It also advocates for a $47-million boost to Heritage Canada's museums assistance program, as well as $59 million to a fund that matches private donations to help improve the cultural sector's financial resiliency.
Other proposals include a $54-million increase to a fund that helps organizations reverse deterioration of buildings and other infrastructure.
The coalition also proposes an extra $5 million to the department's arts training fund, $29 million to support live performances, and $16 million to a program that encourages community-building through the arts.
The report notes some 914,000 Canadians work in the cultural and heritage sector – more than four per cent of the workforce – and cultural activities account for more than two per cent of the country's economic activity.
The submission is based on recent consultations with arts leaders, who cited such problems as low wages, financial instability, unpredictable grants and ongoing equity issues.
"Responses around unstable federal funding was the most frequent challenge recognized through our sector consultation," the submission said. "This tied into the issue of staff shortages which has resulted in burnout among remaining staff due to a lack of a knowledge base with new hires, and rising costs of inflation paired with decreased, post-pandemic revenue."