On January 20th , the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) announced significant changes. While details will be announced later this year, the general plan includes a massive consolidation, from 142 current grant programs (governed by 108 policies), to fewer than 10 large programs.
CCA is setting up a new computerized system to manage its relationship with their clients with completion of the new funding model expected in eighteen months. CCA maintains that nobody will lose funding.
The intention is to avoid modifying the actual allocations of funding and to avoid destabilising arts organizations. Rather, the intention is to create a new baseline to fund Council’s priorities with new investments by the government.
A saga unfolded starting with this public meeting on January 20th, details http://canadacouncil.ca/council/news-room/events/2014/invitation-annual-public-meeting