2026-2030 STRATEGIC PLANNING
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For the arts, for the world
As a pillar of artistic vitality, the Conseil des arts de Montréal is a catalyst and major supporter of artistic creation, production and presentation across the Island of Montréal.
In the midst of social, cultural and economic transformation, it works with arts organizations and the arts community to ensure that art is a driver of reflection, dialogue and empowerment for everyone.
Following an exhaustive consultation with the arts community and members of the city’s cultural ecosystem, we are proud to present our 2026–2030 strategic plan, entitled For the Arts, for the World. This vision for the future highlights the Conseil’s current and anticipated role as well as the unique added value it brings to Montréal’s cultural ecosystem, in addition to identifying the levers of change needed to enhance its impact.
After going through times of vitality and fragility, Montréal’s arts sector is at a crossroads: it must take this opportunity to reaffirm its resilience and sense of community, and to reexamine its practices. The CAM’s role is to identify, guide, support and acknowledge the artists set to play a key role in this shifting artistic landscape.
As indicated in the plan, cues from the arts community and the changing cultural context are prompting us to broaden our role: to provide better financial support and resources that go beyond funding, to assist in revamping business models, to strengthen the capacity of artists and organizations to plan for the future, and to create the conditions for a more resilient, supportive, engaged and innovative cultural ecosystem.
The members of the Board and the CAM team are committed to working at your side … for the arts and for the world!
Mathieu Bouchard Nathalie Maillé
Président Directrice générale
Current situation
With its 2022-2025 strategic plan, the Conseil des arts de Montréal has established itself as a catalyst for a more equitable, sustainable, and community-oriented arts ecosystem. Driven by a clear and ambitious vision, its strategic plan was based around three key areas: increasing its impact, strengthening its recognition, and improving its agility.
This mandate was carried out in a demanding context: post-pandemic recovery, precariousness in the cultural sector, inflation—all challenges that the CAM was able to turn into springboards for action. Demonstrating creativity and agility, but without additional financial resources, it has notably:
- reinvested in supporting the operations of organizations, offering them stability and predictability
- ramped up its territorial presence
- advanced its representativeness objectives
The CAM has also distinguished itself through its philanthropic efforts and its support for the socio-ecological transition of artistic communities.
True to its role as a trailblazer, the CAM has been able to mobilize, convince, and inspire. It has actively participated in the development of the City’s 2025–2030 Cultural Development Policy, which is responsive to community demands for increased arts funding commensurate with their contribution. More than just a source of support, it has positioned itself as a true lever of cultural transformation for Montreal.
2026–2030 AMBITION
The Conseil des arts de Montréal is ready to spearhead a new wave of support that will see artists recognized, valued and supported commensurately with their contributions to the city.
Orientations
Plan scopes
Artists
The CAM’s legitimacy is based on the trust and support of artists. The CAM listens to them, questions them, promotes them, and mobilizes them, while implementing measures that respond to their creative desires and support the evolution of their artistic approach.
The ecosystem
The arts support network works together to assist artists and organizations in modernizing and sustaining their business models.
Montreal
For the benefit of Montrealers, who are the last link in the value chain, the CAM ensures that art remains alive and maintains the dialogue between creation and the collective desire to discover, understand, and celebrate art.
The international scene
With a view to cultural sovereignty and openness to others, international partnerships not only serve as vectors for promoting Montreal as a cultural hub, but also encourage artistic mobility, the export of our culture, and comparative learning.
City of Montréal’s 2025–2030 Cultural Development Policy
The CAM’s 2026–2030 strategic objectives are consistent with and complementary to the City of Montréal’s objectives for arts and culture, as defined in the Cultural Development Policy it adopted in 2025.
