2018–2020 cultural development agreement: major investments in arts and heritage

Québec City, July 3, 2018 – The Ville de Québec and the Government of Québec have announced the renewal of the Entente de développement culturel 2018-2020 (2018–2020 cultural development agreement), which stands at $56.66 million over three years. Among the new items, $5.78 million has been added to further support artistic projects, in addition to many investments in culture and heritage.

It is a great pleasure for me to confirm the renewal of this agreement that will give Québec City a powerful boost in many aspects of its cultural output. With this, we will continue our mutual efforts to develop culture, preserve our heritage and also connect culture and residents.

– Marie Montpetit, Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language

For more than 40 years, the government and Québec City have been working together to forge the provincial capital’s unique cultural personality. The renewal of this agreement today provides new momentum will help maintain Québec City’s status as a vibrant, dynamic and innovative city.

– Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region

 This agreement gives us the means to develop the arts throughout our municipality. It helps to consolidate what we’re already doing, but also to implement new exciting and unifying projects. Thanks to their capacity to innovate and renew, these projects keep our city alive and accessible, while promoting the cultural participation of diverse audiences.

– Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Québec City

One development is that we will encourage the painting of outdoor murals to enliven the city. We will also work on cultural activities in public spaces such as exhibitions, interactive installations and amazing works of art.

– Alicia Despins, member of the executive committee responsible for culture, technoculture and major events

Major points in the 2018–2020 agreement

The additional funding to support art projects will:

• Support projects on youth and education (cultural activities in educational spaces to expand audiences and promote academic success)
• Promote the recognition of Québec City as a UNESCO City of Literature (activities that contribute to the city’s literary spirit)
• Support projects on seniors and culture (by adapting the services of professional cultural organizations to this group)
• Add permanent and major works of public art throughout the city
• Establish a program of outdoor murals created by professional artists
• Support temporary cultural installations in public spaces (exhibitions, temporary works of art, interactive installations, artistic lighting and furniture, promotion of heritage)
• Provide one-time assistance to certain cultural organizations that are playing a new, key role in the city
• Support the monumental street art creations presented at international events

The 2018–2020 cultural development agreement will also further its ongoing activities to:

• Develop and consolidate arts, culture and technology (support for cultural activities, consolidation of professional organizations, promotion of culture, public art, support for the launch of audio-visual productions)
• Facilitate access to arts and culture in boroughs (support cultural life, library infrastructure funding program)
• Support major international exhibitions in state-funded museums
• Promote heritage (restoration of buildings and urban spaces in historic and heritage sectors, support for religious heritage projects for founding communities, support for archaeological heritage, etc.)
• Support churches of exceptional heritage value (establishment of a specific aid measure)
• Support the development of digital culture (help with digital culture projects, digital mediation in libraries)
• Support the Première Ovation measure (additional funding to consolidate the program and better meet the needs of the next generation)

About the cultural development agreement

The cultural development agreement aims to stimulate cultural output, promote access to and awareness of arts, culture and heritage, strengthen the professional basis, restore and renovate built heritage and encourage the research and promotion of heritage. Since 1979, the Ville de Québec and the Government of Québec have invested more than $290 million in this program.