Most Canadians see the arts as playing an important role in bolstering a community’s local economy, with nine-in-ten (91%) agreeing either strongly (39%) or somewhat (53%) that ‘a vibrant arts and cultural scene can be a significant contributor to a community’s economy.’

A total of six-in-ten (59%) agree either strongly (16%) or somewhat (42%) that their ‘local government does not give enough support - either financially or otherwise – to the arts and cultural events and activities’ in their community, while a similar proportion (58%) disagrees with the notion that ‘it is not the local government’s responsibility to fund arts and cultural events in our community’ and that it is ‘best left for community groups or private entrepreneurs’.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted for Municipal World magazine and fielded between June 28 and July 3, 2007 among a sample of 1,953 adult Canadians randomly selected from the Ipsos Reid Internet Household Panel. Results based on a sample size of 1,953 are considered accurate to within ± 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled. The data has been statistically weighted to ensure the composition of the sample by region, age, and gender reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to the 2001 Census data.

© torontoarts 2002