Canada’s arts and culture sector made a significant $65 billion contribution to the economy last year, but a boost in public funding is required to counterbalance a decline in private support and escalating costs, according to a fresh study from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The report, unveiled this week, emphasizes that each dollar invested by the federal government in arts and culture leads to $29 in economic output. It highlights that the economic influence of arts and culture is most pronounced in Ontario, Quebec, and B.C., providing employment for hundreds of thousands of individuals.
The findings of the report echo the sentiments of Dane Bland, director of development and engagement at the Toronto Arts Council and Foundation. Bland emphasized the significance of arts and culture not only in terms of economic impact but also in enriching the lives of Canadians at large. He underscored the pervasive nature of culture in Toronto and its reflection in economic statistics.
Bland stressed that reports like this should serve as a signal to all levels of government about the importance of investing public funds in arts and culture, not just for financial returns but for the greater public good. The report highlights that in 2023, Ontario’s arts and culture sector contributed $28 billion to the Canadian economy, representing 43% of the sector’s economic footprint that year and supporting over 458,000 jobs.
Within Ontario, the report indicates that visual arts and applied arts, along with audio-visual and interactive media, were the primary revenue generators in 2023. Furthermore, Ontario boasts the largest live performance sector in Canada, thriving due to its sizable population and robust tourism sector.
The report characterizes arts and culture as an ‘economic engine,’ noting that the sector’s growth since 2011 has surpassed that of key industries like oil and gas, wholesale trade, retail trade, construction, and manufacturing. It calls attention to the declining share of federal spending allocated to arts, culture, and heritage and the challenges faced by government grants, earned revenue, and private donations amidst rising costs.
Aubrey Reeves, president and CEO of Business / Arts, a national charity, emphasized the collaborative effort that led to the report’s publication. She highlighted that Toronto harbors the highest number of arts and culture jobs in the country.
Reeves expressed optimism about the report, citing the sector’s growth rate of 8% over the past three years, outpacing the overall Canadian economic growth of 4%. She emphasized the remarkable return on investment offered by the arts and culture sector and urged for increased investment to support its continued growth and societal benefits.
The report also underscores the social advantages of arts and culture, linking higher per-capita arts grants to enhanced community sense of purpose and meaning. It notes that the arts foster social unity, aid in the integration of newcomers, enhance skill development, and positively impact residential and property sectors.
Utilizing Statistics Canada data, the report categorizes arts and culture into six main segments: heritage and libraries, live performances, visual and applied arts, written and published works, audiovisual and interactive media, and sound recording.