Montréal, January 15, 2026 – Today, the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) unveiled its 2026-2030 strategic plan entitled Pour les arts, pour le monde to close to 200 partners and friends in the cultural community.
The product of a comprehensive consultation process involving artists, arts organizations and partners in the cultural ecosystem, this plan maps out the path for the next five years, aiming to spark a new impetus leading to artists and organizations being recognized, valued and supported to the full extent of their contribution to the city.
“Montréal is a creative and bold city where art in all its forms holds a pivotal place. It is essential that our administration support our creators and our cultural community so that our artists and organizations can continue to innovate, and bring together and enrich the lives of Montréalers.
It is precisely for this reason that we are sending a strong signal with increased funding for the Conseil des arts de Montréal starting with our very first budget. Thank you to the CAM and all those who help make Montréal a vibrant cultural metropolis!”
Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montréal
“A new chapter begins for Montréal. We welcome the commitment of Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, who is sending a strong signal: the arts are at the heart of our identity and our future.
This additional funding gives us confidence: it opens the door to a promising collaboration between the Montréal agglomeration and the CAM where art can emerge as a driver of reflection, dialogue and emancipation for the entire population. Together, we will build a vibrant and inclusive metropolis where the arts will rally and connect us.”
Mathieu Bouchard,President of the CAM
Strategic ambitions
With this 2026-2030 plan, which marks the 70th anniversary of its founding by Jean Drapeau in 1956, the CAM begins a new transformative phase around four main directions:
Transforming itself to better support and assist artists: the CAM intends to design a one-stop shop for artists, positioning itself as a space for non-financial services, networking and experimentation.
Serving as a catalyst for cohesion and change for the arts ecosystem in Montréal: the CAM wants to ensure the community’s voice is better heard and critical issues are addressed while at the same time forging bold partnerships.
Building a culture of intelligence supporting experimentation and innovation: the CAM intends to integrate research and innovation into its practices while using data to measure its impact.
Becoming a lever to spread Montréal’s reputation as a Francophone cultural metropolis: the CAM wants to develop national and international partnerships, stimulate the mobility of Montréal’s artists and help reposition the city as an attractive Francophone cultural metropolis.
“Pour les arts, pour le monde is an ambitious and unifying plan. Designed in line with the needs expressed by artists and arts organizations, it lays out a roadmap to transform and enhance our support for the community.
The changing cultural context encourages us to broaden our role: improving financial support and tools beyond subsidies, helping to modernize business models, strengthening the ability of artists and organizations to project themselves into the future, and creating the conditions for a more resilient, supportive, mobilized and innovative cultural ecosystem.
I would like to thank all the stakeholders from the arts community and cultural ecosystem consulted, the members of the CAM team and Board of Directors and the firm Volume10 for their valuable and indispensable collaboration during this process.”
Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director of the CAM
Review of the 2022-2025 plan
This new chapter opens after a 2022-2025 cycle marked by significant progress. In a challenging context—post-pandemic recovery, precarious cultural environment and inflation—the CAM has turned these challenges into levers of action, all without additional financial resources. It has reinvested in supporting the operations of arts organizations to offer stability and predictability, intensified its territorial presence, advanced representativeness and supported the socio-ecological transition.
Recognized as a frontline player, the CAM has also distinguished itself through its philanthropic initiatives and its mobilizing role in the development of Montréal’s 2025-2030 cultural policy. Beyond providing support, it has established itself as a true lever of cultural transformation for the Metropolis.
A partner of Montréal
A proud partner of Ville de Montréal and the municipalities of the agglomeration, the CAM continues its commitment to better support the creative heart of the city. Its 2026-2030 strategic directions are consistent with and complementary to the guiding principles (freedom of artistic expression, accessibility, inclusion and equity, ecological transition, etc.) of the Cultural Development Policy that Montréal adopted in 2025, entitled Créer, transformer, unir.
About the Conseil des arts de Montréal
Through its various forms of assistance, the Conseil des arts de Montréal supports artistic innovation and creative expression in all its diversity, with the aim of promoting Montréal’s artists, producers and presenters. Playing a unique role as a catalyst, since 1956 it has helped turn Montréal into a vibrant cultural metropolis.
Media relations: Rosemonde Gingras
Source: Elisa Desoer
Photo : NH Photographes
