Nunavut artists call for more arts funding

Nunavut artists and art organizations say there is a lack of funding in the territory and that will need to change if the arts economy is going to continue to grow.

The Government of Nunavut is holding theAll Arts Summitin Iqaluit this week. It's a chance for artists to provide feedback and direction to the government for a new strategy for the cultural industries.

"There isn't enough [funding] to support this booming arts economy," said Heather Daley, executive director of Alianait Arts Festival.

"People want to buy what we have to offer and there is nowhere in Canada where it is more expensive to [produce art]."

Nunavut's commercial arts and crafts sector generates a total economic impact of $33.4 million annually, according to a 2010economic impact study.That and the fact that Nunavut artists are winning awards "left, right and sideways," Daley argues, is proof positive that the art being made in the territory is world class and should be supported.

Filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk is one of those artists who has won critical acclaim. His 2001 movie Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, was named the numberoneCanadian film of all time by the Toronto International Film Festival.

Kunuk voiced similar concerns about funding.

"It seems to me that the budget never changes," said Kunuk.

"As we grow, we get less money. It seems to me that there is something wrong there."

Kunuk, whose films are exclusively in Inuktitut, said there are additional barriers for Inuit artists when they apply for funding.

"All the funding agenciesthat we all have to deal with, every funding proposal is always in English," he said.

"We just need to turn that around if we are thinking for the future and start talking Inuktitut."

This week's All Arts Summit is the first time the territorial government is looking to build a strategy to help all art disciplines. Previously, the government only had a plan to help the visual arts.

Officials from the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, which is hosting the summit, said they are listening carefully to the concerns being raised and that their new policy will reflect the needs of the arts community.