Despite the relentless advance of the global economy, the cliche of the starving artist or student has not completely lost its currency. Younger artists seeking to establish themselves, or scholars wishing to devote more time to their studies, are generally in for a belt-tightening experience.
Fortunately, however, a number of governmental and private organizations exist whose functions include the promotion and support of artists in their endeavor to enrich the human spirit. Some operate programs that aim not only to subsidize creativity, but also to enrich international exchange. Two such bodies linking Japan and the West are The Japan-Canada Fund and the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation.
Operating under the auspices of The Canada Council, The Japan-Canada Fund began with an endowment made in 1988 by the Japanese government. Intended "to further strengthen the relations between Canada and Japan," the fund was topped up in 1996 to bring the coffers to about 250 million yen. The program focuses on attracting Japanese artists to perform in Canada and has already assisted more than 200 recipient individuals and organizations.