History

The inaugural World Summit on Arts and Culture took place in December 2000 in Ottawa, Canada, hosted by the Canada Council for the Arts. The first meeting of its kind, the Summit brought together 300 delegates from 50 national arts councils and funding agencies from around the world to engage in international exchange and discuss issues of public support for arts and culture. During the Summit, participating delegates also unanimously supported the creation of an international federation, now the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA). Since then, IFACCA has partnered with National Members of the Federation to co-host another seven World Summits, confirming its ability to foster meaningful, effective and lasting international exchange; leverage collective leadership; and strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of government arts and culture agencies.

Learn more about the previous World Summits:

8th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2019), hosted by the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia

8th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2019), hosted by the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia

7th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Valletta, Malta (2016), hosted by Arts Council Malta

7th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Valletta, Malta (2016), hosted by Arts Council Malta

6th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Santiago, Chile (2014), hosted by Consejo Nacional de las Artes y la Cultura (CNCA), Chile

6th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Santiago, Chile (2014), hosted by Consejo Nacional de las Artes y la Cultura (CNCA), Chile

5th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Melbourne, Australia (2011), hosted by the Australia Council for the Arts

5th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Melbourne, Australia (2011), hosted by the Australia Council for the Arts

4th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Johannesburg, South Africa (2009), hosted by the National Arts Council of South Africa

4th World Summit on Arts and Culture, Johannesburg, South Africa (2009), hosted by the National Arts Council of South Africa

3rd World Summit on Arts and Culture, NewcastleGateshead, England (2006), hosted by Arts Council England

3rd World Summit on Arts and Culture, NewcastleGateshead, England (2006), hosted by Arts Council England

2nd World Summit on Arts and Culture, Singapore (2003), hosted by the National Arts Council of Singapore

2nd World Summit on Arts and Culture, Singapore (2003), hosted by the National Arts Council of Singapore

1st World Summit on Arts and Culture, Ottawa, Canada (2000), hosted by the Canada Council for the Arts

1st World Summit on Arts and Culture, Ottawa, Canada (2000), hosted by the Canada Council for the Arts