Research findings announced at event with the Honourable Stan Cho, minister of tourism, culture and gaming, and Simon Foster, OAC chair
Event hosted by the Aga Khan Museum, one of 12 organizations entering a contribution agreement funding model
The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has announced the first round of results from Arts Across Ontario – the first-ever economic assessment of the arts in Ontario, undertaken in partnership with Nordicity. The full report is in progress, and preliminary highlights include:
- the $1 billion contribution to Ontario’s gross domestic product (GDP) by organizations that receive annual support from OAC
- that every dollar invested by OAC generates $25 in other sources of revenue
- that Ontario’s culture sector provided more jobs in 2022 than industries such as real estate, auto manufacturing, forestry and mining combined
Read more in the Arts Across Ontario backgrounder
These preliminary findings were announced at an event at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto that featured the Hon. Stan Cho, minister of tourism, culture and gaming, in conversation with OAC chair Simon Foster. Topics they discussed included:
- key findings from the study, highlighting data that illustrates how the arts contribute to job creation, community development, and overall economic vitality across Ontario
- future initiatives aimed at fostering a vibrant arts community and promoting the vital role that artists and cultural organizations play in our society
This first phase of results will be followed by several releases that will provide insights into the economic impact of the arts sector in specific Ontario regions. The study will also explore data and statistics related to of arts and cultural tourism activities in Ontario supported through OAC funding, and their related spending and GDP impact across the province.
Quotes
“Ontario’s arts and culture sectors are vital pillars of our economy, contributing tens of billions of dollars to our GDP annually and supporting nearly 300,000 jobs – and the Ontario Arts Council’s unwavering support has been instrumental in that success,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “The arts are the heartbeat of our communities, and our government is proud to provide support through the OAC. By investing in arts and culture, we are both investing in our economy and in the very fabric of our society, ensuring that every community, regardless of size, has access to the transformative power of artistic expression.”
As we gather for this important fireside chat, we will highlight the arts not just as a source of cultural enrichment, but as essential to economic growth and community well-being,” said Simon Foster, OAC chair. “The findings from the Arts Across Ontario study provide critical information that underscores the invaluable contributions of artists and cultural organizations throughout Ontario."
“The Arts Across Ontario study is a monumental project aimed at quantifying and articulating the impact of the arts sector on the province's gross domestic product, including the role of OAC-funded organizations in cultural tourism,” stated Michael Murray, CEO of OAC. “We are excited to share these insights and continue the conversation about how we can strengthen and support Ontario's vibrant arts sector.”
The event was also an opportunity to announce that the 12 organizations currently supported through OAC’s Major Organizations: Operating program – which now include the Aga Khan Museum and University of Toronto Press – have transitioned to a contribution agreement funding model. This mirrors an approach already taken by arts councils in Canada and abroad; it also addresses commitments from OAC’s 2022-27 strategic plan, Reset. Renew. Revitalize.
Read more about transforming support for OAC’s major arts organizations.
The organizations in this program meet a set of requirements, ranging from minimum annual revenue to national and international impact and significance. These 12 organizations are major contributors to the economic impact of Ontario’s arts sector; over the next five years, they are projected to generate a total combined impact of:
- 23 million audience members and visitors
- 3.4 million arts education participants
- $682.6 million in private sector revenue
- $484.4 million to artistic fees and salaries