The general policy objective of the Canada Council for the Arts is to recognize, foster and promote excellence in the arts. Most of its grants are awarded through an extensive system of competitions judged by assessment committees of practicing artists and other independent specialists in the particular disciplines.

Organization

The Council also administers the Killam program of scholarly awards and prizes, financed from a private legacy. The Public Lending Right Commission, which provides payments to Canadian authors for the public use of their works in Canadian libraries, operates under the aegis of the Council.