According to a Department of Canadian Heritage poll, 87% of Canadians think the government should support arts and culture, and 83% of Canadians said they have attended an arts event or live performance in the past year.
The Conference Board of Canada estimates that a public investment of $1.5 million in Stratford, Ontario yielded $140 million in economic activity, almost 3000 jobs, and $75.6 million in total tax revenue for all three levels of government! The Montreal Jazz Festival alone generates $20 million in tax revenue each year to all levels of government.
According to Deloitte and Touche, the Toronto cultural economy employs 130,000 workers – roughly the same as the Canadian auto sector and generates $9 billion in annual GDP.
ProArt believes that BC needs more investment from the government in its cultural sector. The arts attract people to live and work in BC, reducing turnover for employers, and contributing to the stability of our workforce.
In Canada, Vancouver and Victoria rank 1st and 2nd in concentration of artists, 2.5% and 2.0% respectively. (Hill Strategies)
However, in Vancouver artists earn on average below $20,000 per year.
Support an increase in the government’s investment in arts and culture, and write to your MLA today.
Find your MLA: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm
ProArt Alliance of Greater Victoria 