Arts Day on the Hill 2025

by Lisa Mackay

Earlier this month, the Rozsa Foundation took part in Arts Day on the Hill, the Canadian Arts Coalition’s flagship federal advocacy event in Ottawa. As a steering committee member, the Rozsa Foundation is committed to federal arts advocacy through the Canadian Arts Coalition,  a collaborative non-partisan advocacy movement of national associations, arts organizations, and artists. 20 years after the very first Arts Day took place, arts leaders from across the country travelled to Ottawa to speak directly with MPs, Senators, and senior federal staff about the future of arts and culture in Canada. Chosen from applications across the Canadian Arts Coalition's membership, the delegates reflected the diversity of our sector and our country and shared a common purpose – to ensure that the arts and culture sector is part of what makes Canada strong now and in the future.

While the cultural and political landscape has changed over the past 20 years, the need for education and collaboration with the federal government remains as important as ever. This year's Arts Day on the Hill took place in the context of Budget 2025, which included several positive investments for cultural institutions, media, and heritage programs. The Canada Council for the Arts managed to avoid a cut despite reductions elsewhere within the Ministry. We publicly acknowledged these steps while also affirming that critical gaps remain, particularly with respect to long-term, stable funding for artistic creation and outreach. For example, the Canada Council for the Arts, which funds artistic activity and cultural outreach in every riding through funding for individual artists, arts organizations, and groups, did not get the investment needed. The arts community is diverse, and the Canada Council is the best mechanism to ensure there is professional regional creativity and artistry that fuels the national conversation and helps Canada take its place on the international stage.

As part of the Prairie delegation, we were also able to highlight the unique challenges faced by mid-sized and regional organizations outside major urban centres; the vital role of arts in education, community wellbeing, and local economies; and the opportunity for federal policy to support equitable cultural participation across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and beyond.

A core ask throughout the advocacy was for the federal government to commit to spending on arts, culture and heritage in an amount equivalent to 1% of total federal spending, a clear benchmark that would provide predictable support commensurate with the sector’s economic contributions and societal impact. This includes an additional permanent investment of $140 million for the Canada Council for the Arts, as well as ongoing, permanent support for the arts programs of Canadian Heritage, as both are key mechanisms that enable creativity in communities across the country.

We know that the arts are vital to Canada, and meeting with MPs, Senators and other decision-makers helps ensure that the Federal government understands the arts as a valuable, renewable resource that requires immediate investment. The people we met with were generally warm and open, and we had many great conversations, gaining allies and advice. Arts Day on the Hill continues to demonstrate that coordinated, evidence-based advocacy builds relationships, raises awareness, and lays the groundwork for future policy advances.

The day ended with a reception featuring performances from Juno Award–winning jazz singer Kellylee Evans and francophone slam artist and poet Fabrice Koffy, and a live painting demonstration by award-winning Canadian artist Julea Boswell. The newly appointed Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Mark Miller, was in attendance, as well as outgoing Minister Steven Guilbeault, Deputy Minister of Heritage Isabelle Mondou, Parliamentary Secretary David Miles, and Ottawa MP Bruce Fanjoy.  Our warm thanks to MP Taleeb Noormohamed for sponsoring the event, also sponsored by the Rozsa Foundation, the Canadian Art Museums Directors Organization (CAMDO), and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT).

Arts Day on the Hill remains a vital opportunity to strengthen relationships with federal leaders, educate policymakers on sector realities, and amplify a cohesive national message. As federal budget implementation unfolds and we prepare for another pre-budget submission in the spring, the advocacy that began on Parliament Hill in December will serve as an important foundation for sustained engagement and progress.

To find out more about the Canadian Arts Coalition and/or to become a member, please visit canadianartscoalition.com.