CBC Arts: Celebrating Canada's Diverse Artistic Excellence
CBC Arts (known in French as Radio-Canada Arts) serves as the dedicated division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Its primary mission is to create and curate a wide array of content—ranging from written articles and short documentaries to non-fiction series and interactive projects—that showcases the excellence and diversity of artistic communities across Canada.
By blending traditional storytelling with modern digital services, CBC Arts provides a platform for voices that represent the multifaceted nature of Canadian identity, ensuring that the country's creative achievements are recognized both domestically and globally.
Key Facts
- Founded: July 1, 2015
- Parent Organization: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
- Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario (Canadian Broadcasting Centre) and Montreal, Quebec (Maison Radio-Canada)
- Primary Services: Television and digital content
- Scope: Services provided for Canada and an international audience
Diverse Programming and Creative Projects
CBC Arts has developed a vast portfolio of series and interactive projects designed to highlight various facets of the creative world. These projects often tackle social themes, identity, and the technical craft of art-making.
Notable Series and Interactive Works
The division has produced a variety of acclaimed projects, including:
- 21 Black Futures and The 2010s: The Decade Canadian Artists Stopped Saying Sorry
- Canada's a Drag and Super Queeroes
- Art 101, Art Hurts, and The Collective
- Big Things Small Towns, Crash Gallery, and Exhibitionists
- The Filmmakers, Interrupt This Program, and The Move
Regular Features and Columns
Beyond standalone series, CBC Arts maintains consistent engagement through specialized features. Here & Queer, a talk show hosted by Peter Knegt, focuses on LGBTQ arts and entertainment. Additionally, the Cutaways column provides a space for Canadian filmmakers to share first-hand accounts of the experiences involved in producing their latest films.
Recognition and Contributors
The quality of CBC Arts' output has been recognized with multiple Canadian Screen Awards. These accolades include wins for Best Talk Show (for The Filmmakers), Best Non-Fiction Webseries (for Canada's a Drag), and Best Interactive Production (for Super Queeroes and The 2010s: The Decade Canadian Artists Stopped Saying Sorry).
The platform's success is driven by a diverse group of writers and creators. Staff members Amanda Parris and Peter Knegt produce Digital Publishing Award-winning weekly columns focusing on Black and LGBTQ culture from a Canadian perspective, respectively. The division has also collaborated with numerous contributors, including Alicia Elliott, Owen Pallett, Rinaldo Walcott, Joshua Whitehead, and Michael Yerxa, among others.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Names | CBC Arts / Radio-Canada Arts |
| Industry | Media |
| Establishment Date | July 1, 2015 |
| Primary Locations | Toronto, ON & Montreal, QC |
| Web Presence | cbc.ca/arts and ici.radio-canada.ca/arts |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBC Arts?
CBC Arts is a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that produces written articles, documentaries, and interactive projects highlighting Canada's diverse artistic communities.
When was CBC Arts founded?
The division was founded on July 1, 2015.
What awards has CBC Arts won?
It has won several Canadian Screen Awards for categories including best talk show, non-fiction webseries, and interactive production.
Where is CBC Arts headquartered?
It operates out of two main headquarters: the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto, Ontario, and Maison Radio-Canada in Montreal, Quebec.
Who are some of the regular contributors to CBC Arts?
Regular staff contributors include Amanda Parris and Peter Knegt, while other notable contributors have included artists and writers such as Alicia Elliott, Owen Pallett, and Rinaldo Walcott.