Advocacy

Keeping important issues and actions front and centre
ArtsBuild remains focused on communicating the strong case for investing in sustainable arts facilities to decision makers at all levels of government. Investing in our arts infrastructure is key to the vitality of our arts organizations and artists.

2022

ArtsBuild Ontario submitted a brief for the 2022 Provincial Pre-Budget Consultations calling for a permanent cultural infrastructure fund at the provincial level as well as increased support to OAC’s base budget.

2021

PASO-OPSA is a coalition of Arts Service Organizations with an Ontario mandate or chapter. Together, we strive to strengthen the environment for the individuals and institutions that create and disseminate the arts in this province, and for the public’s access to the arts. Collectively, we are a powerful conduit to over 272,000 creative workers across the province, as well as the thousands of organizations, large and small, that create and support artistic expression in Ontario.

  • PASO-OPSA Response to the White Paper, Ministry of Heritage, Tourism, and Culture Industries (Ontario)
  • PASO-OPSA Letter to the Minister of Finance: Provincial Budget Consultations

2019

ArtsBuild Ontario responds to the announcement of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

2018

ArtsBuild Ontario sent welcome letter to Hon. Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

  • Response from Hon. Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

ArtsBuild Ontario sent welcome letter to Hon. Sylvia Jones, Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture (Ontario).

ArtsBuild Ontario sent welcome letter to Hon. Monte McNaughton, Minister of Infrastructure (Ontario).

ABO was a part of conversations around the definition of ‘creative hubs’. In April 2018, Canada Cultural Spaces Fund releases their definition of ‘creative hubs’.

The Federal and Provincial Infrastructure Bilateral Agreement.

  • ArtsBuild Ontario in partnership with Ontarians for the Arts, released the following statement, to identify how we might strengthen the impact of the funds being dispersed through bi-lateral agreement announced in March.

ArtsBuild Ontario submitted a brief for the 2018 Provincial Pre-Budget Consultations calling for a recurring cultural infrastructure fund.

  • Executive Director Lindsay Golds presented at the 2018 Pre-Budget Consultations, in person. Lindsay spoke exclusively about the creation of a provincial infrastructure fund.
  • Executive Director Lindsay Golds responded to the release of the 2018 Ontario Budget.

Lindsay and board member Kristian Clarke met with Hon. Eleanor McMahon’s Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisory to discuss a provincial infrastructure fund. ABO was informed that a federal/provincial fund is being created. ABO made recommendations for infrastructure fund that is being created.

2017

Letter sent to Minister Chiarelli from Minister Sohi regarding capital fund creation.

ABO participated in INFC’s engagement process – submitting these recommendations. 

  • The Honourable Melanie Joly provided the following response. 

ArtsBuild Ontario submitted a brief for the 2017 Pre-Budget Consultations calling for a recurring cultural infrastructure fund, increased investment in current capital funds and the Ontario Arts Council, and expanded program eligibility for Infrastructure Ontario Loan Programs.

  • Executive Director Lindsay Golds responded to the release of the 2017 Ontario Budget.

In response to the property tax reassessment at 401 Richmond, ArtsBuild reached out to their tenant committee to see what we could do for support. It was requested that we send letters municipally and provincially.

  • Letter sent to Hon. Kathleen Wynne
  • Letter sent to Hon. Eleanor McMahon
  • Letter sent to Hon. Charles Sousa
  • Letter sent to Toronto Mayor John Tory
  • Letter sent to Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina Councillor Joe Cressy
    • Response from the Office of Councillor Joe Cressy
  • Letter sent to MPP, Trinity-Spadina Mr. Han Dong

2016

ArtsBuild Ontario sent a letter with cultural infrastructure investment recommendations to Hon. Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and key Policy Advisor Kelly Rowe.

  • Response from  Hon. Amarjeet Sohi. Letter and cultural infrastructure investment recommendations shared with Hon. Mélanie Joly.

ArtsBuild Ontario responded to the 2016 Cabinet Minister Mandate letter for Hon. Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The letter emphasized the need for a consistent and significant capital fund at the provincial level to leverage federal funding and welcomed an opportunity to discuss the infrastructure needs of the sector.

ArtsBuild Ontario responded to the 2016 Cabinet Minister Mandate letter for Hon. Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure. Our response emphasized the need for a consistent and significant capital fund at the provincial level to leverage federal funding and welcomed an opportunity to discuss the infrastructure needs of the sector.

ArtsBuild Ontario attended Arts Day on the Hill in Ottawa to present key advocacy messages to Members of Parliament, senators and senior officials.

ArtsBuild Ontario submitted a brief to InfraConsults.ca Phase 2 Consultations.

ArtsBuild Ontario submitted a brief to the Standing Committee on Finance with recommendations for the 2017 Federal Budget. ArtsBuild Ontario supports and echoes the recommendations made by the Canadian Arts Coalition, particularly recommendation two, which calls to extend and sustain two-year investments in the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund program.

  • The Canadian Arts Coalition submitted a brief to the Standing Committee on Finance with recommendations for the 2017 Federal Budget. ArtsBuild Ontario supports and echoes the recommendations made by the Canadian Arts Coalition, particularly recommendation two, which calls to extend and sustain two-year investments in the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund program.

Welcome letter sent to Hon. Eleanor McMahon, incoming Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport welcoming an opportunity to discuss government support of the arts and culture sector.

  • Response from Hon. Eleanor McMahon as incoming Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

ArtsBuild Ontario met with Valerie Hopper and Andrew Shaver of the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund to better understand how Ontario funds were going to be spent to meet the needs of our small to mid-sized organizations.

  • ArtsBuild Ontario hosts webinar led by Valerie Hopper, Manager of the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, Ontario Region.

PASO-OPSA sent a letter to Hon. Michael Coteau, Minister of Culture opposing the $25 million dollar budget cuts to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and cancellations to the OTF capital grant round.

ArtsBuild Ontario submitted our written response to the draft Culture Strategy.

  • Response from Hon. Eleanor McMahon thanking ArtsBuild Ontario for contribution to the Culture Strategy and infrastructure data.
  • Read PASO-OPSA’s response to Ontario’s draft Culture Strategy

ArtsBuild Ontario sent letter with Federal pre-budget considerations for the arts to the Hon. Bill Morneau, Finance Minister.

  • Response from Hon. Bill Morneau. Budget considerations shared with Hon. Mélanie Joly.

ArtsBuild Ontario shared Bricks&Mortar data demonstrating the infrastructure needs of our facilities with the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

2015

ArtsBuild Ontario attended the Mississauga in-person Culture Talks session.

ArtsBuild Ontario submitted our written recommendations for the Culture Strategy.

ArtsBuild Ontario sent welcome letter to Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage with request for discussion regarding investment in cultural infrastructure for the arts and culture sector.

ArtsBuild Ontario contacted by Andrew Shaver, Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

ArtsBuild Ontario sent welcome letter to Hon. Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, with request to discuss infrastructure issues facing Ontario’s arts and culture organizations and facilities.

  • Response from Hon. Amarjeet Sohi welcoming working relationship with ArtsBuild Ontario.

ABO met with Kevin Finnerty, Assistant Deputy Minister. We presented our Bricks&Mortar draft demonstrating the infrastructure needs of our facilities, based on real time data and needs.

ArtsBuild Ontario and the Ontario Museum Association entered into a data sharing agreement in 2015. Data from our Bricks&Mortar database was used in the Ontario’s Museums 2014 Profile: Highlights which complements their vision/action plan Ontario’s Museums 2025.