The Canada Council for the Arts has launched a series of new initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness of Canadian architecture. The restructured approach, which is expected to see the council’s support for architecture rise from CA$500,000 to more than $900,000 annually, includes two new funding programs and a series of pilot projects. The first program, entitled 'Assistance to Practitioners, Critics and Curators of Architecture', aims to provide funding to architects and architectural designers who wish to commission photographic essays and critical texts about their work. The scheme also aims to support writers and curators working toward an exhibition or publication on contemporary architecture. The second program, entitled 'Support to the Promotion of Architecture', will assist publishers, museums, galleries and festivals produce publications on architecture in Canada. In addition, the council expects to initiate a series of pilot projects aimed at promoting awareness of architecture and assisting young architectural firms achieve success. Strategic alliances with Canadian government departments are expected to be included in these projects. As the administrator of the Prix de Rome architectural award, the Canada Council has also decided to broaden the appeal of this prize. In previous years providing one architect with the opportunity to spend a research year in Rome, the award will now give winners the opportunity to choose the destination which best suits their practice. The prize will be open to emerging and mid-career as well as established architects. For more information about the Canada Council and its strengthened support for architecture, CLICK HERE