About

The inaugural World Summit on Arts and Culture took place from 30 November–3 December 2000 in Ottawa, Canada and was hosted by the Canada Council for the Arts to provide opportunities for councils and funding bodies from all continents to share their approaches and experiences. Speakers explored a wide range of issues relating to culture in a global context, from the role of culture in foreign affairs, to diversity and private sector support. At this Summit, participating councils and funding bodies unanimously supported the creation of an international federation of arts and cultural agencies (now IFACCA). The first World Summit was attended by 300 delegates from 55 countries.

About the Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts”. To fulfill this mandate, the Canada Council offers a broad range of grants and services to professional Canadian artists and arts organisations in music, theatre, writing and publishing, visual arts, dance, media arts and integrated arts. It raises public awareness of the arts through its communications, research and arts promotion activities.