Federal and Provincial Budgets - What do they mean for the arts?

March 30, 2012 - Artists and arts organizations will be relieved to learn that the federal and provincial governments have both protected the arts councils from cuts to their granting programs.

The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Trillium Foundation will not sustain budget cuts despite broad based reductions in other areas.

The full impact of the government budgets will be determined over the next few months. It is clear that reduced investment in the culture sector will have a ripple effect Major items are listed below:

2012 Federal Budget Arts Highlights:

• There will be no cuts to the Canada Council for the Arts.
• The CBC has been cut by 10% ($115 million) over three years. 
• The Department of Canadian Heritage’s operating base of $2.8 billion has been cut by 6.9%. 
• In addition to the Canada Council, the National Gallery and national museums will not face budget cuts. 
• Telefilm’s budget is being cut by $10.6 million and the National Film Board is being cut by $6.7 million. 
• 2012 Provincial Budget Arts Highlights:
• There will be no cuts to the Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Trillium Foundation and Ontario Media Development Corporation. 
• Luminato’s funding from the Ontario government will be cut by $1.5 million for 2012-13 and $2 million for 2013-14
• The operating budgets of Ontario’s Cultural Agencies including the AGO, ROM and McMichael Canadian Arts Collection will be cut by 1% for 2012-13 and an additional 1% for 2013-14 and thereafter.
• Cultural industry Tax Credits will be maintained.

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For additional information contact: Susan Wright 416-392-6802 x 211 susan@torontoartscouncil.org

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