The 2025 Annual Public Meeting (APM) of the Canada Council for the Arts took place in Ottawa (and virtually) on March 19, 2025. It was as much a policy update as a reflection on the state of the arts in Canada. The meeting struck a balance between ceremony, data, and vision for the future.

In case you missed it, here are our key takeaways:

Leadership Transition at the Board Level

Jesse Wente, completing his five-year term as Chair of the Board, delivered a heartfelt statement that underscored the importance of Indigenous leadership at institutional levels. His tenure, marked by increased engagement with Northern communities and a commitment to regional presence, emphasized how governance rooted in lived experience can reshape national institutions.

The Canada Council announced that Cheryl Hickman will step into the role as the new Chair, ensuring continuity in leadership and strategic oversight.

Sector-Wide Listening and Data-Driven Action

Director and CEO Michelle Chawla shared findings from a national survey that gathered responses from over 7,000 artists and organizations. The message was clear: financial insecurity continues to plague the sector, but public funding remains a cornerstone of resilience and sustainability.

The Council is leveraging this data not only to advocate for the arts, but to refine its internal practices, including introducing more transparency, responsiveness, and flexibility in how it supports the sector.

Upcoming Changes to the Granting Portal and Programs

Major changes are coming to the Canada Council’s digital infrastructure:

• A new portal is launching this summer with improved accessibility, user experience, and grant writing tools embedded in the application process.
• Artists will receive clearer feedback through evaluation scores, addressing long-standing calls for more transparency.
• Two new funding components are on the way:
  • Micro-Grants for quick, time-sensitive projects
  • Composite Grants for multi-year or multi-activity funding under a single application

These changes reflect the Council’s effort to reduce administrative burden while aligning funding with the realities of artistic practice.

Expanding the Definition of ‘Art’ and Who Gets Funded

A noteworthy moment came during the Q&A, when a participant asked whether forms like stand-up comedy and battle rap are seen as valid art. The Council responded with a clear “yes” and acknowledged the need to evolve application categories and processes to reflect diverse cultural practices.

Flexibility, inclusion, and respect for lived experience were themes that kept being raised throughout the meeting. The CCA affirmed its intention to serve all professional artists, including those working in forms that haven’t historically fit neatly into discipline-based silos.

Final Reflections

The 2025 APM highlighted the Canada Council’s dual role: funder and convenor. As Chawla noted, funding alone is not enough. The Council must also foster national conversations, model collaborative leadership, and advocate for the arts as both a cultural and economic force.

For arts organizations and professionals, the message was clear: stay engaged, share your stories, and make use of the Council’s evolving tools.

Stay Informed

To keep up with the Canada Council’s updates, including portal changes and funding opportunities, sign up for their e-newsletter at canadacouncil.ca. You can find the complete transcript of speeches and video recording of the meeting here.

Thinking about applying for a Canada Council grant? Contact The Arts Firm today for grant support.