Cultural organizations are pillars of our communities and give people an opportunity to come together, learn and be inspired. They strengthen Canada's creative economy while giving Canadians the opportunity to see their stories and identities reflected, celebrated and shared through art.
Today, Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Member of Parliament (Taiaiako'n-Parkdale-High Park), announced $583,200 in funding for four performing arts and festival organizations in Toronto. He made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.
The Canada Arts Presentation Fund investments will support Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, the CanAsian Dance Festival, Native Earth Performing Arts, and Young People's Theatre.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre will receive $102,000 for its 2026 and 2027 Queer Voices Canada seasons, which support vibrant and diverse programming that amplifies the voices of by trans and gender non-conforming artists, 2Spirit artists, and QTBIPOC artists. The theatre will also hold community and education events to create dialogue around queer content and increase critical engagement with the work, artists, and topics presented.
The CanAsian Dance Festival will receive $109,800 for its 2026, 2027 and 2028 CanAsian Dance Series seasons, creating more opportunities for Asian diasporic dance artists to showcase their work and connect with communities. The activities will be staged at various locations in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
As for Native Earth Performing Arts, it will receive $176,400 for its 2026, 2027 and 2028 Weesageechak Begins to Dance seasons, along with two other dance works by Indigenous artists, helping bring Indigenous stories, perspectives and artistic expression to audiences. It will also feature dance and theatre performances by Indigenous artists from Ontario and across Canada, as well as artists from Australia.
The final project being funded, Young People's Theatre, will receive $195,000 for its 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons, which celebrate Canada's rich cultural landscape through diverse programming, bringing Indigenous and Francophone works to audiences alongside dance, puppetry, musical theatre and new media.
These organizations strengthen communities by bringing people together through vibrant, diverse cultural experiences for all ages.
When we celebrate our diversity through the arts, we strengthen our shared identity and build stronger, more united communities.
