Canada Council Director & CEO Michelle Chawla in conversation with Visual Arts Chair Megan Dickie

Описание: While imported goods are the main focus of the current tariff concerns, let’s not forget about how Canadian culture fits into the economic frame: with $60 billion in annual GDP contributions, 850,000 jobs nation-wide and an enviable legacy as global cultural ambassadors, Canada’s arts sector is a vital part of the national fabric and should be supported as much as home-grown veggies or Hawkins Cheezies.

This was the message shared by Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada Director & CEO Michelle Chawla during her recent 2-day visit to UVic, where she met with faculty, students, community members and local arts leaders, as well as attended some of our cultural programming.

“We’re not doing this alone: we’re part of a dynamic arts ecosystem ... and universities are an important part of this world,” Chawla said while in conversation with Visual Arts professor Megan Dickie (left). “We need to tell the story of what the arts bring to our communities and why that matters. Every sector struggles, so instead of telling the instability story, we need to focus on impact stories.”

UVic is an essential part of that story: home to BC's only stand-alone fine arts faculty, we're busy training the next generation of arts practitioners, cultural leaders and creative researchers, and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in an ever-challenging world.