2019 Our Way Forward: Manitoba’s Cultural Policy Action Plan

On Tuesday March 12, 2019, the Honourable Cathy Cox, Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage released Our Way Forward: Manitoba’s Cultural Policy and Action Plan. Watch the launch of Our Way Forward: Manitoba’s Culture Policy and Action Plan.

We thank Minister Cox, Minister Squires (who started this work in May 2017) and the many stakeholders who contributed to the extensive and rigorous community consultation.

The Culture Policy and Action Plan recognizes and celebrates the whole of Manitoba’s diverse cultural sector.  It acknowledges the sector’s contribution as an economic driver, and as a source of pride and belonging. The report outlines clearly that the province has a key role to play in driving sustainability in the creative sector by:

• Supporting education and training to help artists develop careers in Manitoba;

• Investing in made-in-Manitoba creative products;

• Supporting market access, development and export marketing activity;

• Providing support for both the large arts organizations and new and emerging arts;

• Protecting historic resources by supporting the organizations that maintain them; and,

• Enhancing the role of libraries as community cultural connectors.

Further, the Cultural Policy and Action Plan acknowledges concerns about the future of Manitoba’s cultural resources, strain of over-reliance on our cultural champions, threats to the livelihood of creators and cultural workers, challenges facing the cultural workforce, and difficulties in recruiting, training and retaining volunteers.

Manitobans for the Arts has championed the need for a Cultural Policy that can be activated across government departments and across the province. In her speech launching the Policy, the Minister clearly stated that this document is intended to support decision-making that affects arts and culture across all departments. We believe this report lays a solid foundation to continue to work with the Province to:

• Strengthen cultural tourism in partnership with Travel Manitoba;

• Ensure regional economic development strategies include the culture sector;

• Encourage municipalities to integrate culture into their decision-making and planning processes;

• Provide input towards reviews in process (Manitoba Film and Music, Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation, tax credits, libraries, etc.); and,

• Ensure equitable opportunity for all Manitobans to engage in cultural activities across all regions of the province.

Manitobans for the Arts once again thanks the Government for increasing the budget of Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage by 20% in Budget 2019. This increased allocation to the creative sector is a demonstration of their commitment to realize the objectives and actions identified in the new Cultural Policy and Action Plan, including:

• Making the Manitoba Film and Video Tax Credit permanent and allocating an additional $15.5 million towards the Tax Credit to facilitate continued growth;

• Renewing the Manitoba Book Publishing Tax Credit for five years and renewing the Manitoba Printing Tax Credit for one year with a small increase; and,

• Pledging $1 million towards the Manitoba Heritage Trust Endowment program to support heritage organizations across the Province.

Manitobans for the Arts looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that the culture sector continues to be a priority area; we share a vision of Manitoba as a province where culture is valued, recognized and supported for its contribution to individual, social and economic vitality.

Manitobans for the Arts has sent a letter of thanks to Minister Cox, Minister Squires and the Premier of Manitoba, copied to all MLAs.