Canadian Public Arts Funders (CPAF) affirm the role of the arts in Canada's economic vitality

    MONTREAL, Nov. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Representatives from arts councils from
across Canada met in Moncton, NB November 12, 13 and 14 on the occasion of the
Canadian Public Arts Funders (CPAF) Annual General Meeting.
    The Executive Directors and Chairs of CPAF-Canada's network of federal,
provincial and territorial arts councils and equivalent public arts
funders-discussed best practices to support arts organizations; governance
issues; and how to strengthen and improve the CPAF network, and adopted a
three-year action plan for the CPAF network.
    "In the context of the current financial crisis and economic slowdown,
CPAF members re-affirmed the important contribution that the arts - through
individual artists and arts organizations of every dimension - make to the
quality of life and economic vitality of Canadian society" said Yvan Gauthier,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du
Québec and Chair of the CPAF Steering Committee.
    During their discussions, the CPAF members were joined by Alan Davey,
Chief Executive of Arts Council England, in order to exchange perspectives on
support for arts organizations.
    At their meeting, the CPAF members also confirmed the membership of the
new Steering Committee, which includes representatives from Newfoundland and
Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the
Northwest Territories, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

    CPAF is a network that unites and serves the provincial, territorial, and
federal arts councils and equivalent public arts funders in Canada. Active
since 2005, there is a CPAF member organization in each province and territory
in Canada. It organizes three annual professional development meetings for
CPAF Chairs, Executive Directors and staff each year as well as an annual
meeting. The combined budget of the CPAF members exceeds $375 million dollars.

    The next CPAF Annual Meeting will take place November 25 to 27, 2009 in
Vancouver, British Columbia.
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For further information: Yvan Gauthier, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and Chair of the Canadian
Public, Arts Funders (CPAF) Steering Committee, [phone],
[e-mail]