Spaces that keep us together: Introducing the Community Cultural Operation Fund
Why do we need this?:
Across Canada, community cultural spaces—local theatres, galleries, libraries, arts centres—are aging and often operationally neglected. Many face closure, limiting opportunities for people to gather, create, and share cultural experiences. These spaces aren't just buildings; they're the heartbeat of communities, essential for fostering connection, creativity, and identity. This at a time when there is a loss of meaningful Third Places where people can gather and connect with their communities in a non commercial way. While infrastructure is widely understood as crucial to a community’s cultural needs, often the problem isn’t building it, it’s running it affordably and effectively. Could a dedicated Community Cultural Operational Fund (CCOF) renew these vital spaces and help communities thrive?
We think so, and here's how:
This fund redefines what infrastructure entails - it offers engineering to the architecture of maintaining a vision. Separate from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, which subsidizes capital purchase and renovations, The CCOF would provide targeted, sustainable investments for the ongoing operation, maintenance, and modernization of community cultural facilities nationwide. Whether supporting wages related to operations or paying the hydro bills, the CCOF ensures these places remain vibrant, welcoming, and functional for the communities they are working to serve.
Imagine more communities saying:
I love that teenagers can make/listen/disparage music at our community hub for free!
After the renovations to our local theatre, ticket prices to shows went down and attendance went up!
We have an amazing arts hub in the old Hudson Bay and after 3 years we are still able to work on upgrading and operating the transformation.
The CCOF helps offset costs for labour unions and other hidden production costs.
I have a place to go to be with my community
Benefits we can all get behind:
Economic Impact: Immediate and lasting economic benefit through creating local jobs and driving activity in surrounding businesses.
Optimizing our Infrastructure Investments - Stabilizing operations of cultural infrastructure investments allows cultural spaces to deliver on their promises to community.
Community Connections: Accessible and affordable cultural spaces strengthen community identity, belonging, and pride by fostering regular and meaningful interactions.
Cultural Sustainability: Getting our essential cultural venues out of survival-mode, energizes their operations, while amplifying cultural programming and engagement across generations and demographics.
Environmental Impact: The CCOF enables environmentally sustainable usage of spaces rather than constantly building new and shiny ones. The lowest carbon footprint option is acknowledging the one we've already incurred.
How do we make it happen?:
Through a collaborative process involving municipal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners, identify priority projects and community needs. Administer funding through Canadian Heritage in a transparent, accessible manner, prioritizing underserved and rural communities.
Who pays for it?:
Sustained investment from federal infrastructure funds managed through Canadian Heritage, supplemented by provincial, municipal, and community contributions, and enhanced by private sector and philanthropic support. Leverage additional funds through matching investments from local governments, private, and philanthropic partners. This initiative should raise philanthropic interest in the value of visionary models for sustainable operations.
It’s about the vibes. It's about spaces where communities come alive, stories are told, friendships are formed, and culture is created. It's about nurturing vibrant, connected communities and building our future together. We believe supporting the operations of cultural space is essential to every community's third place success story. The CCOF will help.
David, Owais, and SGS
