What the f%*# do governments do for arts & culture?

What *do* government arts employees do all day? Ive been realizing as of late that very few
people know how their governments are supporting culture so I made a chart. This chart is not
what governments should do but what they currently do.* It is not a complete list so please let
me know what I am missing and I will add to this list.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Artist and Arts Organization Funding

The federal government funds a wide range of artists, organizations, activities, facilities and training for artists
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding.html

Museums & Galleries Support

The federal government supports national museums and galleries, as well as online galleries.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/cultural-attractions/museums-galleries.html

Museums & Galleries Funding

The federal government provides financial assistance to help arts organizations with developing stronger organizational, administrative and financial skills; they
provide assistance for cultural spaces; they provide funding to help with artworks damaged while traveling
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/cultural-attractions/museums-galleries/funding.html

Supports Newcomers / Introduces them to local art and art organizations

The federal government provides a Cultural Access Pass to new Canadians
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/cultural-access-passes.html

Supports Arts & Media

Supports artists and arts organizations through funding, tax credits, development, preservation, business development, networking, and copyright support. This
includes: festivals; music; film & Video; performing and visual arts; aboriginal arts; books, magazines & newspapers; broadcasting.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/arts-media.html

Cultural Trade & Investment

Supports artists and arts organizations through policy, regulation to support the acquisition or preservation of cultural objects and media industries. This includes: Trade
policy and negotiation; movable cultural policy; culture sector investments; trade missions
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/cultural-trade-investment.html

Parliamentary Poet Laureate

Appoints a Poet Laureate whos objectives are: To encourage and promote the importance of literature, culture and language in Canadian society; To draw Canadians
attention to poetry, both spoken and written, and its role in our lives. https://lop.parl.ca/About/Parliament/Poet/index-e.html

* Full disclosure, I work for an arts and culture department at a municipal government. ** This is in a Canadian context*** Culture in this situation covers arts, culture industries, heritage
Events Celebrations and Commemorations
Organizes and executes cultural events across the country, often using Canadian talent and providing cultural experiences for the public
that are usually free of charge and publicly oriented. They also fund these events across the country.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/events-celebrations-commemorations.html

Military Museums, Art and Films

Preserve, fund and exhibit military art, films and museums.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/militaryhistory/militarymuseums.html

Gastronomic Heritage
Provide education about Canadas gastronomic history and heritage chocolate.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/history-heritage/gastronomic-heritage.html

Cultural Youth Programs

Provide internships & jobs; language immersion programs; exchange and leadership programs to budding artists and arts
administrators.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/cultural-youth-programs.html

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

Provides funding for festivals, events, community anniversaries, and capital projects that help build communities.
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/building-communities.html

Partner With International Organizations to Preserve and Support Culture

This includes the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM); UNESCO
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/spm-whs

Consulates
All of the consulates operate a bit differently but as an example Canada House in London UK has a gallery of Canadian art; promotes
Canadian art and design throughout the building; provides opportunities for Canadian artists to network in the UK
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/events-evenements/visiting_house-canada-maison_visiter.aspx?
lang=eng

International Trade for Arts and Culture

The Cultural Industries Sectoral Advisory Group on International Trade (SAGIT) is part of the federal government's advisory system on
international trade. It provides a means for officials from the Global Affairs Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage to consult
with representatives of Canada's cultural industries.
http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/topics-domaines/ip-pi/canculture.aspx?
lang=en&_ga=2.152142778.248171589.1507664903-1971071194.1507664903

Awards and Recognition

The Governor General has several awards for arts, visual and media arts, performing arts and literary awards.
https://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15011&lan=eng
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
All of the provincial governments will have slightly different set of things that they do but Ive tried to get a general view of what they do.

Art Collections
The Ontario government has an art collection that started in 1853 and has 2700+ works of art
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/goac/index.aspx

Develop Strategy
Develop strategy that guides the government support for culture.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-culture-strategy-telling-our-stories-growing-our-economy?_ga=2.219182170.2138304726.1507666630-1412489204.1507666630

Support Culture Agencies

These agencies include: Art Gallery of Ontario; McMichael Canadian Art Collection; Ontario Arts Council; Ontario Media Development Corporation; Ontario Trillium
Foundation; Royal Ontario Museum;
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-culture-strategy-telling-our-stories-growing-our-economy?_ga=2.219182170.2138304726.1507666630-1412489204.1507666630

Fund Festivals and Events

Ontario govt supports 304 festivals and events
https://news.ontario.ca/mtc/en/2017/03/investing-in-festivals-and-events-to-boost-tourism-across-ontario.html?
_ga=2.219705434.2138304726.1507666630-1412489204.1507666630

Awards & Recognition

Premiers Award for Excellence in the Arts : https://news.ontario.ca/mtc/en/2017/10/finalists-announced-for-premiers-awards-for-excellence-in-the-arts-4.html?
_ga=2.253212618.2138304726.1507666630-1412489204.1507666630
Quebec awards include: http://www.mcc.gouv.qc.ca/?id=59

Fund Organizations That Support Artists and Arts Organizations

These include: The Ontario Arts Council, The Trillium Foundation, The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, BC Arts Council, etc

Fund Organizations That Support Artists and Arts Organizations

These include: The Ontario Arts Council, The Trillium Foundation, The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, BC Arts Council, etc

Create Strategy and Policy

These policies help set the direction of government initiatives in regards to arts and culture in their province. This is an example from the Yukon: http://www.tc.gov.yk.ca/
yukonartspolicy.html http://www.tc.gov.yk.ca/craft_strategy.html

Support Local Artists

Each province has different programs that support local artists and arts organizations. An example from the Yukon: http://www.tc.gov.yk.ca/Created_in_Yukon.html

Provide Access to Art and Culture

Many provinces have programs that bridge social divides by providing free or cheap access to the arts. They do this through subsidizing galleries, museums, and
other institutions, or providing cultural access passes.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

Create Legislation
Create legislation that helps to legally support artists and arts organizations in Canada. Here are some examples from Nova Scotia:
https://cch.novascotia.ca/department/legislation

Engage the Public

There are a variety of ways that the government engages artists and arts organizations in order to make decisions, share information.
They range from traditional town halls, to online and digital services, social media, advisory boards and councils. This is an example from
Nova Scotia: https://cch.novascotia.ca/advisory-boards-and-councils

Research and Analysis

Reports are developed for a variety of things in the arts and culture sector. This includes impact of the arts, trends in arts and culture
(less about everybody using lemon yellow in their work and more about large directions that arts and culture are changing in), local and
global perspectives, art and culture in relation to other social impact areas, social impact of arts and culture, etc. Here are some from
Nova Scotia: https://cch.novascotia.ca/department/research-reports

Connecting to History
Highlighting an area through its artistic history. This can include collections, exhibits, archives, events. This is an example from Nunavut:
http://www.gov.nu.ca/culture-and-heritage/programs-services/arts

Inter-Province Networking
Programs are available for artists to connect across provinces. This is an example from Nunavut: http://www.gov.nu.ca/culture-and-
heritage/news/call-interest-visit-winnipeg-art-gallery

Creative Industry Support

Support through funding, strategy, policy, networking, cultural exchanges. This is an example from Saskatchewan: http://
www.pcs.gov.sk.ca/Culture

Artist and Arts Organization Capacity Building

Programs such as artsVest provide training and capacity building for artists and arts organizations. This includes fundraising, marketing,
partnerships, networking, etc. Here is an example from Saskatchewan: http://www.pcs.gov.sk.ca/artsVestSaskatchewan

Provincial Poet Laureates

Some provinces have provincial poet laureates. This is an example from PEI: http://poetrypei.com/about-the-provincial-poet-laureate-
program
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
All of the municipal governments will have slightly different set of things that they do but Ive tried to get a general view of what they do.

Art Classes , Camps and School Trips

Most municipal governments offer cheap arts classes to ensure that most residents have access to these experiences. They are offered in visual arts, dance, writing,
ceramics, digital arts, photography, etc. This is an example from Calgary: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Arts-centres/Home.aspx

Public Art
Most municipal governments have a Public Art program that enhances public space through permanent and temporary art, as well as integrated into city
infrastructure such as banner programs, street furniture, bike lanes, playgrounds etc. These programs provide opportunities fro local, regional, national and
international artists. An example from Calgary is here: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Public-Art/Home.aspx

Poet Laureate
Many municipal governments have poet laureates to advocate for poetry, language and the arts. This example is from Toronto: https://web.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/
history-art-culture/poet-laureate/

Photo & Other Laureates

Some governments have other kinds of laureates such as Torontos photo laureate: https://web.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/photo-laureate/

Cultural Centres, Galleries and Theatres

Many municipal governments run accessible galleries, theatres and cultural centres to give access to the public for free or cheap. Here are some examples from
Calgary: https://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=f38c8be3abc0c510VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Grants
Many cities provide funding for large and small cultural organizations. In Toronto some examples include: Art Gallery of Ontario, Canadas National Ballet School,
Canadian Opera Company, Pride Toronto, Toronto Artscape Inc, Luminato, TIFF, Caribana (I know this is not the new name but this is the right name). Some cities
do not have arts councils so arts grants are administered by the municipality. Toronto Symphony Orchestra. https://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?
vgnextoid=2cb93b0b30901410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=e2b91ba53b450410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Other kinds of grants are also available such as investment programs and service grants. An example from Toronto: https://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?
vgnextoid=e2b91ba53b450410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Awards
Cities give out a variety of awards to local artists and arts organizations. This is an example of a literary award: https://web.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-
tributes/awards/toronto-book-awards/

Policies
Municipal governments create policy to guide how they allocate resources (not just money). This is an example from Mississauga: http://www7.mississauga.ca/
documents/culture/main/culture_policy_web.pdf
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
All of the municipal governments will have slightly different set of things that they do but Ive tried to get a general view of what they do.

Digital Strategy
At least one Culture Division has created an arts & culture specific digital strategy that serves to support the city staff and the community. This is an example from
Mississauga: https://www7.mississauga.ca/documents/culture/respub/ActivateCulture_FinalReport_2017.pdf

Creative Industries
Municipalities support creative industries including film and music through funding, industry connections, polices, strategies, events and activities. This is an example from
Toronto: https://web.toronto.ca/business-economy/industry-sector-support/music/

Research
Municipalities have cultural researchers and analysts that gather and analyze data, write reports, create strategies, etc in relation to the arts.

Culture Planning
Municipalities work with the citys Planning & Building, Transportation and Works, Parks, and other infrastructure departments to plan for culture nodes (areas of the city that
have extra support for the arts), for installation of beautification projects (infrastructure such as street furniture and parks that is more beautiful than run of the mill stuff), and
installation of public art including murals, sculptures and other things.

Promotion of the Arts

Municipalities
= promote local arts and arts organizations through marketing initiatives, networking opportunities, at events and conferences.

Capacity Building
Municipalities provide capacity building opportunities such as training for artists and arts organizations in marketing, social media, grant writing, etc. They also partner with
other granting organizations and community organizations such as SOCAN, CARFAC and others to provide local arts and arts organizations to learn more about them.

Leveraging Investments in the Arts

Municipalities can leverage investments in the arts with other levels of government; with other cities and countries; with local, national and international businesses; with BIAs;
with institutions such as universities and colleges. You can see some of this in Barries Culture Plan: http://www.barrie.ca/culture/research/Pages/BuildingaCreativeFuture.aspx

Municipal Arts Collections

Municipalities often have long running art collections. This is an example form Ottawa: http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/arts-heritage-and-culture/city-ottawa-art-collection

Community Arts Programs

Municipalities support community led arts programs such as in Fredericton: http://www.fredericton.ca/en/community/art-culture/community-art-program
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
All of the municipal governments will have slightly different set of things that they do but Ive tried to get a general view of what they do.

City Beautification Projects

Municipalities work with other city departments to create a more beautiful public realm. One project that has spread across several municipalities is artwork on utility boxes.
this is an example from Calgary: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Public-Art/Utility-Box-Public-Art-Program.aspx

Engagement
Municipal governments engage artists and arts organizations in a variety of ways. This includes at town halls and public meetings, through tactical urbanist
techniques, online and other digital means, through social media and through advisory panels. This is an example from Guelph: http://guelph.ca/city-hall/council-
and-committees/advisory-committees/public-art-advisory-committee/

Mural and Urban Art Programs

Municipalities have mural and urban arts programs including programs for youth. This is an example from Ottawa: http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/water-and-environment/green-
living/graffiti-and-mural-program#ottawas-mural-program

Festivals & Events

Municipalities develop and execute high level events that are free and accessible to the public. These can include civic holidays such as Remembrance Day and Canada
Day, to community events such as Winterlicious and Doors Open. Here is an example from Hamilton: https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/festivals-events

Information and Permits

Municipalities provide information on how to host your own events and get permits for them. This is an example from Hamilton: https://www.hamilton.ca/life-events/hosting-
events/host-event-city-property

They also provide permits and information on busking such as: https://www.hamilton.ca/life-events/hosting-events/street-performance-busking-policy-and-guidelines

Facilities for Rehearsal, Performance and Exhibition

Municipalities provide low cost facilities for the above activities. This includes programs such as Mississaugas Open Up Clarke Hall program which has a $50/ day rate for
artists. http://www7.mississauga.ca/documents/culture/main/CH_Open_Up_Application__FAQ%27s.pdf