Why Now is the Time to Speak Up for the Arts

by Lisa Mackay

If you work in the arts, you already know: the value of our sector is undeniable. We see it every day in our communities—in the resilience it builds, the dialogue it sparks, the jobs it creates, the moments of meaning it offers. And yet, that value is not always recognized in public discourse or political decision-making.

That’s why this moment matters. As we head toward the federal election on April 28, the stakes feel unusually high. In the midst of economic strain, rising nationalism, and even rhetoric questioning our country’s sovereignty, Canadians are grappling with what it means to define and defend our identity. We believe the arts are not just part of that answer—they are essential to it.

The arts are how we tell the story of who we are, together. They are how we imagine the future. They are how we gather, how we grieve, how we celebrate, how we protest. But none of this work happens in a vacuum. Public funding—federal, provincial, and municipal—makes it possible for our sector to exist at all. It provides the baseline support that allows us to create, to employ artists and arts workers, to make programming accessible, to reach into communities across the country.

It’s time for the arts to be recognized as essential infrastructure—as vital to the health and sustainability of our country as roads, schools, and hospitals. Not a luxury or afterthought, but a foundational part of how communities thrive. And it should be funded accordingly.

This election is an opportunity to make the contributions of the arts sector in Canada visible. The Canadian Arts Coalition’s Arts Vote campaign offers tools for organizations and individuals to take simple but meaningful action to ensure that the arts are present in the political conversation. As a Steering Committee member, we are deeply committed to this effort, and we hope you will be too.

Visit canadianartscoalition.com/artsvote-resources to find:

• Candidate email templates and outreach questions

  
  

• Social media graphics and messaging

  
  

• Tips for engaging in your riding

• A call for all parties to commit to 1% of the federal budget for arts and culture—a modest but transformative increase

Here’s how you can help amplify the message:

• Direct your audiences to the Arts Vote Home Election Kit on your website, social media, or newsletters

  
  

• Add a program insert or a one-line message in your show programs or digital event guides

  
  

• Include a message from the stage during curtain speeches or pre-show announcements

  
  

• Host a community conversation or town hall with local candidates and cultural workers

  
  

• Share your organization’s story—what public funding makes possible for your community—and invite your audience to reflect on what the arts mean to them

  
  

• Encourage your networks to vote and offer support for those who might need help navigating the process

The arts are under pressure, but they are also full of power. Let’s not underestimate the impact we can have when we speak with one voice—and bring our communities with us.

The moment to act is now. Your voice matters. Our sector matters. Let’s make sure that message is heard.