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Important Notice

The Interdepartmental Partnership with the Official-Language Communities (IPOLC) and the Partenariat interministériel avec les communautés de langue officielle (PICLO) agreements ended on 31 March 2009. In accordance with the operational strategies described under Direction 3 - Equity of Moving Forward – Action Plan 2008-11, the Canada Council for the Arts has decided to ensure the continuation of support formerly provided by these two agreements. The Canada Council has targeted funding over the course of its Action Plan 2008-11 to continue to deliver this financial support. For 2009-10, the objectives, criteria and procedures for the targeted funds will be essentially the same as those that were in place for IPOLC and PICLO. Please note that this is a temporary measure; the Canada Council will review the objectives, criteria and procedures of this targeted funding and consult with stakeholders over the course of the current year and announce changes, if any, before 2010-11.

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History

In 2001, after consultation with Francophone artists and arts organizations represented through the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française, the Canada Council for the Arts signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with the Department of Canadian Heritage concerning the development of the arts in official-language minority communities. This agreement was named the Partenariat interministériel avec les communautés de langue officielle (PICLO). The agreement was extended through to 2004-05, renewed from 2005-06 to 2007-08 and extended for a final year for 2008-09.

In 2002, after consultation with Anglophone artists and arts organizations represented through the Quebec Community Groups Network, the Canada Council for the Arts signed a second three-year memorandum of understanding with the Department of Canadian Heritage concerning the development of the arts in official-language minority communities in Quebec. This agreement was named the Interdepartmental Partnership with the Official-Language Communities (IPOLC). The agreement was renewed for another three-year period, from 2005-06 to 2007-08, and extended for a final year for 2008-09.

These agreements secured additional funding for the Canada Council, specifically for official-language minority artists and arts organizations. These funds were to be delivered through the Canada Council’s regular programs. Both the IPOLC and PICLO agreements ended on 31 March 2009. The Canada Council has decided to continue this investment in the official-language minority arts community, and has targeted funding over the course of its Action Plan 2008-11 to continue to deliver this financial support with its own resources, underlining that this initiative is consistent with its values.

In this document, the term “artists” refers to individual Canadian artists working in official-language minority communities, and “arts organizations” refers to Canadian arts organizations working in official-language minority communities.

What are the objectives of this targeted funding?

The objectives of this targeted funding are as follows:

• to counter isolation and assist in the professional development of individual artists working in official-language minority communities
• to assist in the development of arts organizations working in official-language minority communities
• to assist in the dissemination of the work of artists and arts organizations working in official-language minority communities, and
• to better inform and advise artists and arts organizations working in official-language minority communities about Canada Council programs.

This targeted funding is expected to meet these objectives by increasing the number of requests from artists and arts organizations from official-language minority communities supported by Canada Council programs, and by increasing the amount of funding allotted to requests from these artists and arts organizations.

Who is eligible to receive support from this targeted funding?

The following are eligible for support from this targeted funding:

• Professional Anglophone artists and arts organizations that have a Quebec address (generally, as indicated on the application form) and that choose English as their preferred language of communication with the Canada Council. The activities proposed by organizations must benefit professional Anglophone artists working in an official-language minority situation.
• Professional Francophone artists and arts organizations that have an address outside of Quebec (generally, as indicated on the application form) and that choose French as their preferred language of communication with the Canada Council. The activities proposed by organizations must benefit professional Francophone artists working in an official-language minority situation.

How do I receive this targeted funding?

There is no separate application process or program for these targeted funds. Artists and arts organizations apply for support through the Canada Council’s regular programs, under existing deadlines, and are assessed under the Canada Council’s regular peer assessment process. Applicants need to provide no additional information in order to have access to these targeted funds.

In exceptional cases, where the Canada Council’s existing programs do not support the activities necessary for the development of the official-language minority arts communities, the Canada Council will consider special measures.

What types of grant applications can be considered for this targeted funding?

Only grants of limited duration are considered: grants to individuals (including travel grants) and project grants to arts organizations (including touring grants) are eligible. Ongoing annual or multi-year operating support is not eligible.

How will requests eligible for this targeted funding be assessed?

Requests that are eligible for this targeted funding will be evaluated according to the regular assessment criteria of Canada Council programs, taking into account, where appropriate, the specific context in which minority-language artists and arts organizations operate.

Following a positive recommendation by a peer assessment committee, requests will receive support first based on funds allotted by the Canada Council’s regular program budget and then, if appropriate, from the targeted funding. This may be a supplement to the amount allotted from the regular program budget to increase a grant (up to the maximum eligible for the program, or up to the amount requested by the applicant). In the case of a request that was highly recommended by a peer assessment committee, but for which program funds were not available due to lack of funds, the targeted funding may contribute an appropriate grant amount. The Canada Council emphasizes that any supplements or grants allotted with this targeted funding are not intended to replace the Canada Council’s regular program funding merited by official-language minority artists and arts organizations, but are intended to be a supplement to the funds already awarded.

How will this targeted funding be allocated?

The allocation of this targeted funding will be done through existing Canada Council programs. Grants will be paid under regular program guidelines and timelines. Successful artists and arts organizations will receive a separate letter indicating that their project was supported with targeted funding.

How can I get more information on this targeted funding?

Officers have been identified in each section to provide information on this targeted funding and the Canada Council’s programs, and to provide follow-up with artists and artistic organizations. They can be reached:

• by mail, at 350 Albert Street, P.O. Box 1047, Ottawa ON  K1P 5V8
• by email, at info@canadacouncil.ca
• by TTY machine for the hearing-impaired, at 613-565-5194
• by telephone, at 1-800-263-5588 or 613-566-4414, at the following extensions:

General Information, Information Officer, 5060

Dance, Robyn Campbell, 5501

Inter-Arts, Sue-Ellen Gerritsen, 4679

Media Arts, Ian Reid, 5203

Music, André Jutras, 5071

Theatre, Kim Selody, 5489

Visual Arts, Jim Logan, 5266

Writing and Publishing, Carole Boucher, 5088

 

16 April 2009