Culture Montréal presented a set of 37 recommendations to the Quebec government on Tuesday, urging the province to earmark three percent of its overall budget for the cultural sector. The proposal, delivered in Montreal, aims to boost financial support for a range of arts institutions and programming across the province.
The advocacy group, known for regularly submitting policy ideas to strengthen Quebec's arts community, outlined the specific allocation target as a means to secure more stable and predictable funding. By tying a fixed percentage of the provincial budget to culture, the organization argues that arts organizations would gain the resources needed to maintain operations, expand outreach, and develop new initiatives.
The 37 recommendations cover a broad spectrum of measures, including increased grants for museums, theaters, and music venues, as well as enhanced support for community-based cultural projects. While the exact distribution of the three percent was not detailed in the brief, the group emphasized that a consistent share of the budget would allow for long‑term planning and reduce reliance on sporadic, ad‑hoc funding.
Officials from the Quebec government have not yet responded to the request, but the proposal arrives at a time when many cultural institutions are navigating post‑pandemic recovery and rising operational costs. The call for a dedicated budget share reflects concerns that existing funding mechanisms are insufficient to meet the growing demand for cultural services and to preserve Quebec's artistic heritage.
Culture Montréal's submission underscores its ongoing role as a policy advocate for the arts, building on previous efforts that have sought tax incentives, infrastructure improvements, and increased public awareness of the sector's economic contribution. The organization hopes that the three‑percent benchmark will become a permanent fixture in provincial fiscal planning, ensuring that culture remains a priority in Quebec's budgetary decisions.
The recommendations will be reviewed by relevant ministries, and the group plans to continue monitoring the government's response while maintaining dialogue with stakeholders throughout the province.