March 7, 2025
An open letter to the arts community from Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts
These past weeks, I heard from many of you about how you’re doing in this challenging moment.
At the time of writing, tariffs are top of mind. Next month, it will be something else. We’re up against intense unpredictability, and it’s here to stay.
Economic uncertainty from the threat of tariffs alone is hurting the arts sector. Canadians are increasingly more cautious with their discretionary spending. Businesses are reconsidering their sponsorship activities. Costs continue to rise. Lower revenues along with higher costs are making it even more difficult for the sector to do its vital work.
And all this at a time when the arts have a more crucial role to play in Canada than ever before.
We need the arts right now as a powerful, cohesive force. We also need the arts to keep strengthening economies in our communities, from coast to coast to coast. And we need the arts to let the world know who we are, an open, diverse, and globally minded society.
Of course, it’s difficult to deliver on all this without strong, sustained support. That’s why the Council remains committed to promoting the sector’s impact, noting how the arts are poised to meet today’s challenges.
I’ve been inspired by how the sector has come together, since my last open letter, to join the Council in telling the arts impact story to decision makers, business leaders, and Canadians.
At this critical moment, we need to keep telling that story, tailoring it to our current context.
As Canadians look to buy Canadian, let’s not shy away from encouraging them to include the arts on their list.
And as decision makers confront numerous problems facing our country right now, let’s tell them we have a vital role to play as part of the solution.
Let’s also communicate that the arts need government investment to keep realizing their full potential to the benefit of Canadians.
Getting these ideas out is my priority at the Council right now. Last month, for example, I attended the Canada–U.S. Economic Summit, hosted by the Prime Minister, to make sure the arts were part of the conversations. We’ll continue to champion the arts sector wherever and whenever we can.
The weeks and months ahead will prove challenging through the ongoing unpredictability of our world. I know we can navigate this moment by coming together as a sector, continuing to make our important contributions in the lives of Canadians.
Learn more about Canada’s Council for the Arts here.
