Aboriginal Arts Office Mandate
The Aboriginal Arts Office was first created in 1994 to take on an advocacy role in support of the development of Aboriginal arts. The mandate, to date, remains the same although the Office’s role has become more strategic with the launch of the Canada Council’s Strategic Plan (2008-11) and continuing into its current Strategic Plan (2011-2016).
The Office’s current responsibilities:
- To advocate internally and externally to support the development of Aboriginal arts practices in Canada.
- To liaise between the Aboriginal arts community and Council by creating networks with other governmental agencies, institutions and departments, nationally and internationally.
- To engage in community consultation through advisory committees, focus groups, forums, targeted outreach initiatives and meetings with various stakeholders, including individual artists, arts organizations, Aboriginal Elders and leaders.
The Office’s role as a centre of expertise at the Council:
- To advance Canada Council’s knowledge and greater understanding of Aboriginal arts communities, Aboriginal arts practices (traditional and contemporary), and share information on new trends and changes in the milieu.
- To contribute and manage strategic initiatives and programs in conjunction with other divisions across Council relative to Aboriginal arts practices and development.
- To work with the Equity Office to ensure that Aboriginal history, experience and the contributions of Aboriginal artists are part of Council’s overall understanding and commitment to equity, including support of Aboriginal artists.
- To advance understanding of Aboriginal arts practices by establishing cross-sectoral partnerships in consultation with the Partnership and Networks Office.