The Société de développement des entreprises culturelle (SODEC) has launched a new aid program for one-time strategic projects or initiatives.

The multi-domain program offers a grant of a maximum of $750,000 per year. It is intended to help make companies operating in SODEC’s fields of activity more competitive in order to promote and grow Quebec’s cultural industries, according to a news release.

SODEC provides financial aid to a number of sectors, including audiovisual, music and variety shows, books and publishing, and the fine arts.

To be eligible, projects must help companies remain at the cutting edge of their sector by ensuring their competitiveness and profitability, added the release. Examples include projects related to audience development, accessibility and discoverability of Quebec content, and development of new digital promotion strategies.

The new program replaces some other forms of related assistance, including support for special projects for promotion and distribution in cinema. But a separate program for strategic initiatives for film promotion and distribution will continue to accept applications.

SODEC said the new assistance program helps to standardize its support for strategic projects while also accommodating more sector-based or collective projects that previously could not be supported under SODEC programs. Eligible companies must have their head office in Quebec.

The strategic project program was announced last Thursday (Feb. 2), a few days after SODEC launched a support program for cultural events. That program will provide grants up to $400,000 per year for events including film, music and variety festivals, industry galas and digital experiences that feature networking and professional development.

The cultural event aid is aimed at ensuring the dissemination of a diversity of Québec cultural works, content and products throughout the province and on digital platforms, said a release. It completely or partially replaces the various programs and components that offered this type of support, such as aid for film festivals under the assistance program for promotion and distribution in cinema and component.

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