Watch: Celebrating 50 years of B/A
Celebrating 50 years of Business / Arts!
Business / Arts is marking a half-century of building partnerships across business, the arts and government in Canada. As we celebrate this milestone year, we are reflecting on our rich history, honouring trailblazers in this work, and reaffirming our commitment to building a strong and resilient arts sector.
Our story dates back to 1971 when Edmund C. Bovey was approached by the Canada Council for the Arts to explore the possibility of establishing an organization akin to the American-based Business Committee for the Arts (BCA), founded by David Rockefeller. Responding to this call, Bovey convened 50 influential business leaders in Ottawa to lay the groundwork for what would become the Council for Business and the Arts in Canada (CBAC) in 1974.
Business / Arts’ mission has always been to ensure the arts are recognized
as a vital component of a strong economy and society.
In a world facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities, the arts continue to be a source of inspiration, resilience, and unity. Business / Arts takes immense pride in being a catalyst for collaboration and we know now, more than ever, our mission remains vital.
Business / Arts champions the arts as a top investment priority for businesses and governments alike. We advocate for the profound value of the arts in our society, facilitate collaboration to tackle shared challenges, and are dedicated to educating and providing training to strengthen the arts sector.
The past 50 years have been filled with achievements, milestones, and countless partnerships.
We look forward to continuing to showcase these moments and our vision for the future on our website and across our social media channels. Follow along with #NowMoreThanEver #PlusQueJamais #BA50
Thank you to all the board members and partners who continue to make this work possible!
Learn more about membership here.