A new parliamentary arts caucus made up of MPs and senators from all parties is scheduled to hold its second-ever meeting Wednesday.

Nancy Oakley, general manager at the Ottawa-based Great Canadian Theatre Company, helped promote the creation of the caucus.

She said artists want to reach MPs on a more regular basis to help them better understand the arts sector. She approached the theatre company's MP — the NDP's Paul Dewar — who suggested a solution other than letters and lobbying.

All-party groups already exist for discussing abortion and human rights issues. Dewar said the new informal arts caucus will give arts groups and parliamentarians a chance to talk to one another.

“What hopefully will change is that there won’t be this huge chasm between decision-makers and artists, that there will be a lot less ignorance among decision-makers,” Dewar said.

A small group attended the inaugural, administrative meeting — but about 40 MPs and senators from all four parties have expressed interest in joining the new group

“Maybe, just maybe, when there's not the spotlight of an election, we might be able to agree on something, put forth some ideas as a group to support the arts,” Dewar said.

The parliamentary caucus begins with broad strokes: MPs at Wednesday’s meeting will hear an overview of the arts sector.