The Canadian Arts Coalition first assembled in 2005 and held the first Arts Day on the Hill that fall. Believing that the Canada Council for the Arts is fundamental to the cultural infrastructure of Canada as the key public vehicle for supporting the promotion and development of the arts in Canada, we advocated for a doubling of the Canada Council’s budget to $300 million.

In 2007, we applauded the federal government for a $30 million permanent increase to the Canada Council for the Arts.

In 2012, the Government of Canada recognized the role that the arts play in a productive economy by sustaining investment in the arts through the Canada Council for the Arts, and key programs at the Department of Canadian Heritage.

In 2016, following a decade of advocacy from the sector, the Government of Canada made a historic investment of $1.87 billion in arts and culture. The doubling of Canada Council of the Arts’ funding addressed a historical request from the Canadian Arts Coalition. It will enhance the activities of the arts sector and provide increased access to emerging and equity-seeking artists and organizations.

In 2020, recognizing that the arts and culture sector was one of the sectors hardest hit by the global pandemic, the CAC began to undertake a very active advocacy role for sustained support of the sector, informed by surveys of the sector and consistent communication with national arts service organizations.