Canada Puts Up to $2 Million Behind Presenters for Canada-Ireland 180 Arts Initiative
In Ottawa, Canada, Canadian Heritage announced on October 6 up to $2 million through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to help presenters across the country book Canadian and Irish artists under the Canada-Ireland 180 initiative. The year 2027 marks the 180th anniversary of the arrival of more than 100,000 Irish people in Canada in 1847.
The initiative has three elements. First, $500,000 over two years in direct support for presenters to book artists from both countries. Second, a new national bilingual booking portal connecting presenters and performers. Third, support for presenters to attend showcases, including the 2026 CINARS Biennale in Montreal and Folk Canada's 2026 gathering in Hamilton.
Ireland is investing at least 1.2 million euros, about $1.9 million Canadian. Canadian delivery partners include the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts, CINARS and Folk Canada.
Canada-Ireland 180 was announced jointly by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Taoiseach Micheál Martin on June 13, 2026, to mark the two countries' shared history and bring cultural exchanges to stages across Canada.
Source: Canadian Heritage
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 爱尔兰传统音乐现场演出。/ A traditional Irish music performance. (Photo: Yumi Kimura, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
