The economic impact of the arts in Ontario: $1 billion

Organizations that receive annual support from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) add $1 billion to Ontario’s gross domestic product. And every dollar invested by the CAO generates $25 in other sources of revenue.

This is what the research reveals The arts light up Ontariobilled as the first “comprehensive” economic assessment of the arts in Ontario.

We also learn that, in 2022, the culture sector provided more jobs in Ontario than sectors such as real estate, automobile manufacturing, forestry and the mining industry combined.

300,000 jobs

Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, said that “the arts and culture sectors are responsible for approximately 300,000 jobs. Our government is proud to support them through the Ontario Arts Council.”

The research was conducted with the twelve major organizations that receive five-year core funding: National Ballet School of Canada, Canadian Opera Company, National Ballet of Canada, Royal Conservatory of Music, Shaw Festival, Stratford Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Harbourfront Centre, Ottawa Bluesfest, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Aga Khan Museum and University of Toronto Press.

12 major organizations

Organizations in this program meet a set of criteria that vary from a minimum annual income to their national and international significance and impact. These twelve organizations are significant contributors to the economic importance of Ontario’s arts sector.