City of Ottawa Cultural Plan and Funding Framework Review
Providing feedback on the City of Ottawa's recent cultural initiatives
Update:
The Community Services Committee approved a new Cultural Funding Policy to govern how the City allocates more than $12 million in annual funding for the local arts, cultural and heritage sector. The new policy was developed in partnership with the community, with extensive public engagement throughout the review. Applicants would benefit from more flexible categories that reflect the current cultural landscape, as well as increased funding limits for some programs.
Items considered at this meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, March 26. You can learn more here:
Community Services Committee Feb 25 Agenda and Reports
Agenda item 6
This is the first major update to Cultural Funding Framework since it was put in place by the City of Ottawa more than twenty years ago. The City Cultural Funding team has led a comprehensive community engagement process to inform this update. We champion this work and are eager to see it succeed.
The City of Ottawa’s investment in this policy and the upcoming Municipal Culture Plan demonstrates its commitment to vibrant, livable communities and recognizing the crucial role of the Arts and artists.
We know the positive impact that the arts have on building livable communities. Arts and culture attracts tourists, fosters community pride, and enhances Ottawa's reputation as a thriving cultural capital.
We are encouraged by the important Equity lenses being applied and prioritized in the proposed Cultural Funding Policy. In particular, that the values of the program are so clearly stated:
Values culture
Acknowledges Anishinaabe Algonquin territory and commits to reconciliation
Prioritizes equitable access to funding
Commits to bilingualism
Commits to accountability and transparency
Supports freedom of expression
As our City population grows, so does the demand for cultural services. It is essential to ensure that the City’s funding model evolves to match this growth. With an increasing number of qualified applicants and a commitment to growing the Cultural Funding programs, the pressures on the Cultural Funding Envelope will continue to rise. This raises some important considerations:
How will the equity framework be implemented with the current Cultural Funding Envelope budget
As the city grows and more residents seek opportunities to engage in cultural activities, how will the funding structure evolve to meet this growing demand?
We look forward to working together as a community so that Ottawa arts and culture continues to flourish, benefiting all Ottawa residents.
Thank you for your continued dedication to Ottawa’s cultural landscape.
More information:
Culture Funding Framework Review on Engage Ottawa
The Engage Ottawa site includes many background documents about the programs.