Recapping the 2025 Canadian Arts Summit
Recapping the 2025 Canadian Arts Summit
From April 3-5 2025, over 175 arts leaders from across the country came together for the 2025 Canadian Arts Summit, held at the National Arts Centre. Hosted by Business / Arts in partnership with the Banff Centre, this year’s Summit — Arts Forward | Avançons les arts — brought together senior arts leaders, including artistic directors, executive directors, and volunteer board chairs from Canada’s largest arts institutions.
The Canadian Arts Summit plays a vital role in convening leading voices from across Canada and internationally to help shape the future of the arts. This year’s gathering was designed to catalyze the sector with a strong vision for the future. Across three days of workshops, panels and conversations, delegates came together to identify challenges, strategize solutions, and implement actions to move the arts forward, ensuring they remain at the heart of our communities.
Photos by Philip Maglieri
The Summit also marked the official launch of the 2025 Emerging Leadership Program. Thirteen leaders from the arts, culture, and heritage sectors joined the gathering to connect with mentors, engage in Summit programming, and build their national networks. Throughout the year, participants will benefit from monthly one-on-one mentorship sessions and peer learning opportunities designed to support leadership development, reciprocal learning, and long-term professional growth. Meet the participants.
Resources from the Summit
Summit Communiqué
Developed by the board chairs, this document captures key themes from the three-day event. One message resonated throughout: Canada’s arts and culture sector needs unequivocal commitment from government and political leaders.
Thank you for helping us share it across your networks. Access the communiqué here.
Performing Arts Tax Credit Brief
This brief outlines a tax credit to support the performing arts sector, assembled by Tim Jennings, Executive Director and CEO of the Shaw Festival, and Anita Gaffney, Executive Director of the Stratford Festival. Access the brief here.
Stay tuned for the Summit report coming later this spring!
See you in Banff – April 8-11, 2026
We look forward to returning to the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity from April 8-11, 2026, for the 2026 Canadian Arts Summit. Add these tentative dates to your calendar and stay tuned for more updates as we finalize the event schedule.
Thank you to our 2025 partners for their ongoing support!
Emerging Leadership Partner and Supporting Partner
Mental Health in the Arts Partner
Keynote Partner
Session Partner
Supporting Partners
Thank you to our donors who have chosen to remain anonymous
Translation support provided by the Government of Canada
