Julianna
08-28-2008, 07:10 AM
obseq tempted me onto the forum mid-week by asking me about the arts funding cuts happening here in Canada.
The Canadian government, after a secret and private (ie never publicized, and bypassing even Parliament) review of arts programs, have cut in excess of $46m in arts funding, resulting in the end of 7+ (I think even 10) programs. These include granting programs which help send Canadian performers abroad and maintain the sustainability of small arts organizations. A full list of them can be found here:
http://www.ccarts.ca/en/documents/ListofrecentcutsENG210808_000.pdf
They maintain that these are not cuts because the money is being reallocated, but they are not being upfront about where the money is being reallocated (specifically, whether its being reinvested in the arts), and there has been rumour (which they started, then denied) that $20m+ was going to the 2010 Olympic torch relay.
Our current minority government has not been artist-friendly, between proposed changes to tax legislation which would prevent tax credits from films that the government deemed as against "public policy" (whatever the heck that is), copyright change proposals which were made without consultation with the arts community or the consumers, and now this.
I won't bombard you with links, but you can read about it through the articles I'm bookmarking here:
http://ma.gnolia.com/groups/artsfundingcuts/bookmarks
I'm also blogging about it here:
http://blog.juliannayau.com
If you are or know an artist in Canada, please ensure they're aware of this. There will be hearings held next week on the matter.
Thank you, all.
The Canadian government, after a secret and private (ie never publicized, and bypassing even Parliament) review of arts programs, have cut in excess of $46m in arts funding, resulting in the end of 7+ (I think even 10) programs. These include granting programs which help send Canadian performers abroad and maintain the sustainability of small arts organizations. A full list of them can be found here:
http://www.ccarts.ca/en/documents/ListofrecentcutsENG210808_000.pdf
They maintain that these are not cuts because the money is being reallocated, but they are not being upfront about where the money is being reallocated (specifically, whether its being reinvested in the arts), and there has been rumour (which they started, then denied) that $20m+ was going to the 2010 Olympic torch relay.
Our current minority government has not been artist-friendly, between proposed changes to tax legislation which would prevent tax credits from films that the government deemed as against "public policy" (whatever the heck that is), copyright change proposals which were made without consultation with the arts community or the consumers, and now this.
I won't bombard you with links, but you can read about it through the articles I'm bookmarking here:
http://ma.gnolia.com/groups/artsfundingcuts/bookmarks
I'm also blogging about it here:
http://blog.juliannayau.com
If you are or know an artist in Canada, please ensure they're aware of this. There will be hearings held next week on the matter.
Thank you, all.