fbpx

ArtsLink NB’s Response to the Government of New Brunswick’s 2024-25 Budget

FREDERICTON, 19 March, 2025 – On behalf of the membership of ArtsLink NB, we were very pleased to see that the new budget for 2025-26, “Driving Change, Delivering Progress,” increased funding for the arts and culture sector by $2.65 million. This indicates this government’s interest in supporting the arts and culture sector in a meaningful way and begins to address the serious underfunding of arts and culture over the past decade. It will also help us climb up from NB’s ranking of last in per-capita cultural spending among the 10 provinces.

The budget does not outline how this investment will be allocated, but we are hopeful that commitments in the Speech from the Throne recognizing the economic and social impacts of arts and culture and committing to work on the Status of the Artist will be realized.

(more…)

The 2024-25 Provincial Budget: A Message to the Membership

Yesterday, the provincial government released its budget for 2024-25 titled Stronger Than Ever: Let’s Keep Building. In it, there are a couple of noticeable strides forward alongside some glaring omissions. I wish to convey our apprehension regarding the absence of crucial investments required for the arts and culture sector.

We are happy to see the inclusion of an increase to the New Brunswick Arts Board and Music•Musique NB’s programs of $1.9 million through the Arts Development Trust Fund, “towards grants and scholarships for New Brunswick artists, and grants for musicians and music organizations.” More details are expected soon on how this will be allocated.

(more…)