OUR WORK
what we do and why it matters.
The Centre for Cultural Futures Canada helps strengthen the cultural sector by supporting people and organizations working in arts, culture, and heritage—especially in rural, remote, and underrepresented communities.
what we do
why it matters
Culture builds belonging, identity, and well-being—but many communities face barriers to sustaining cultural work.
We work to ensure all communities have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from cultural life. This matters not only for local impact, but for the future of culture across Canada.
our approach
We center lived experience, local priorities, and shared learning. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we work with and for cultural practitioners, community leaders, and organizations to share tools, ideas, and models that reflect the realities of rural and community-based cultural work.
our purpose
To advance education in the fields of culture, heritage, and the arts by providing workshops, training, online courses, and public learning resources for individuals and organizations working in the cultural sector, with a particular focus on rural, remote, and equity-deserving communities;
To promote the preservation, appreciation, and understanding of cultural and heritage practices through co-created community-based initiatives, community-centered research, and knowledge sharing;
To support the capacity-building of small and mid-sized arts, culture and heritage organizations by developing and delivering publicly accessible educational resources, mentorship programs, and strategic guidance;
To conduct and share research into the needs, conditions, and opportunities facing the cultural sector in Canada, with a focus on inclusive policy development, rural cultural sustainability, and equitable access to cultural participation;
To facilitate collaboration and dialogue across cultural institutions, community groups, and public audiences to foster social cohesion, intercultural understanding, and community wellbeing through shared cultural experiences.
who we serve
Cultural Futures Canada serves a diverse and evolving network of individuals and organizations working within the cultural sector, with a special focus on rural, remote, and equity-deserving communities across Canada. Through everything we do, we aim to foster connection, collaboration, and capacity across the cultural ecosystem—centering on the people, places, and practices that are often overlooked but deeply essential to Canada’s cultural future.
Community museums, cultural centres, and grassroots heritage and arts organizations that are navigating transformation or renewal and seeking support in building capacity, imagining new models, deepening community connection, or amplifying cultural impact.
Artists, cultural workers, and creative practitioners—especially those in smaller communities or from equity-deserving groups—who are looking to strengthen their practices, grow their networks, and access meaningful professional development rooted in their lived realities.
Municipalities, Indigenous Nations, and local leadership teams working to centre culture, heritage, and storytelling in community planning, economic development, and place-based initiatives.
Peers, collaborators, and change-makers across the cultural sector who are seeking research, insight, and shared learning to support more inclusive, resilient, and future-forward cultural systems.
Funders, donors, and philanthropic partners who are committed to supporting culture as a tool for community wellbeing, social equity, and regional vitality, and who are looking for trusted partners to help make that vision real.
Public audiences and community members who engage with our learning programs, cultural events, storytelling platforms, and open-access resources designed to connect, inspire, and reflect the diverse cultural landscape of Canada.
core program pillars
The Centre for Cultural Futures Canada supports a thriving, equitable cultural sector by building capacity, sharing knowledge, and creating space for collaboration. Our work helps rural, remote, and under-represented and equity-deserving communities sustain meaningful cultural practices, strengthen local impact, and shape a more inclusive future for culture in Canada.
