Montreal’s identity has always been inseparable from its culture. One need only look at any one of the summer festivals that fill the streets or small, artist-run spaces that keep the city alive year-round to see it. The city’s creative sector is both an economic engine and a collective heartbeat.
But that heartbeat is under pressure. Rising costs, dwindling grants, and bureaucratic hurdles have left many artists and organizers wondering whether the next administration will treat culture as a public good or just a branding tool.
Ahead of the 2025 municipal election, The Main asked every party how they plan to support the city’s artists, cultural organizations, and festivals—both large and small. We also asked how they would reform the funding and permitting processes, and whether they see culture as an economic driver, a public service, or both.
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