On behalf of the membership of ArtsLink NB, we were very pleased to see that the new budget for 2026-27, “Foundations for the Future,” committed to an investment of $2.8 million “to help stabilize the sector … in an effort to boost the creative economy through new jobs, fostering innovation and delivering more access to the arts.” This support demonstrates a commitment to the arts and culture sector, and is a very good start toward counteracting the critical underfunding experienced over the last decade.
This government was able to pass the Status of the Artist Act in June of 2025, and this was a great step forward in making sure artists and their work are protected and respected through contracts, that fair pay requirements are in place for professional opportunities, that government recognizes the value of artistic work, and that improving the socioeconomic status of professional artists is a serious commitment. The 2026-27 budget is a continuation of this work.
In November, we authored an open letter that was signed by 41 arts organizations in New Brunswick, in which we called on the Holt government to:
- prioritize a significant increase in arts and culture funding, with an emphasis on meaningful operational support for organizations
- strengthen core funding to allow organizations to maintain essential staff and programming, plan with long-term stability, support artists fairly and equitably, and serve communities across the province
To that end, we had asked for a $6-million increase to align with the Atlantic provinces’ benchmark of $78 per capita, which would then scale up to a $22-million increase to align with the national benchmark of $141 per capita. Overall, total provincial cultural spending would need to grow by $18.7 million to meet the Atlantic average, which remains low, and by $70 million to reach the national average, which should be the goal. The 2026-27 budget does not achieve these targets, but it does move us closer to them.
Despite constrained investment in recent years, the arts and culture sector has consistently outperformed its funding, delivering significant economic and social benefits. Arts and cultural industries are ever-growing contributors to New Brunswick’s GDP, directly supporting the employment of over 11,000 people, which is roughly on par with the number of nurses (12,000) or teachers (9,000) employed in the province.
In 2024, despite a significant decline in capital investment, the “strongest gains” leading to economic growth in New Brunswick “were observed in arts, entertainment and recreation,” according to The New Brunswick Economy 2024 in Review. New Brunswick’s arts and cultural industry increased their economic activity, expanding by 6.4% and reaching their highest level of real GDP in over a decade. Imagine the immense potential for growth and flourishing that would be possible within this sector with adequate investment.
The arts and cultural industries directly support thousands of jobs and foster employment in other industries like hospitality, construction, and technology. Festivals, cultural events, and artistic spaces stimulate local economies, attracting tourists, cultivating population growth, and propelling innovation. Yet, arts and culture are not just economic drivers; they are foundational to the complex fabric of Canadian identity. Helping define what it means to belong to a country, they express the values that inform our collective memory and inspire our collective hopes.
We are very encouraged by this increase, and we look forward to seeing it lead to positive outcomes for artists and cultural workers in New Brunswick. However, we call on the provincial government to continue supporting the arts and culture sector through meaningful investments and strategies for growth.
Amy Ash, Associate Director, ArtsLink NB