From the desk of Claire Hopkinson,
Executive Director

“We are all familiar with statistics on the economic impact of the arts on a local community and the economic contribution that arts activity makes to local economy. These facts are important. But in tangible spiritual, creative, quality of life terms, arts activity is, in my view, one of the single most important contributors to that which makes a city great. This is particularly true of Toronto, which boasts a vibrant, active, energetic community of exceptional artists and cultural workers.”

Curtis Barlow, CEO for the Institute of Canadian Citizenship was one of 45 people who addressed the City Budget Committee on February 5 in support for arts funding. Many perspectives on the importance of the arts to an open, diverse, vital city were shared, and succeeded in encouraging a motion to approve an important increase for Toronto Arts Council investments to some nearly 700 arts organizations and artists in 2008. Final word on this proposed increase will be received in early April.

To go back to the economic impact of the arts I relate the arts sector, which is TAC’s principle concern, to the R& D side of Toronto’s fastest growing industry -- creative industries. Over 133,000 people are employed in the cultural and creative industries and about $9 billion GDP is generated annually in this sector. Between 1990 and 2000 this Toronto sector grew at a compound rate of 4%, faster than other important industries in the city (i.e. financial services at 1.8% and business services at 3.8%).

As the newly released Creative City Planning Framework states, there is an opportunity to link creativity and culture to Toronto’s Agenda for Prosperity, a new economic development strategy in progress for the City of Toronto. This agenda recognizes that creative and culture resources form one of four foundations of Toronto’s success as a world city and regional economy. Creativity is embraced as one of the city’s most important economic drivers. The independent artists, writers and performers, the performing arts companies, film festivals - large and small, the art galleries and reading series that TAC supports are amongst the most vital aspects of this diversified creative economy, and the wellspring of the creative city. Moreover, the investment TAC makes into community arts activities along with partners such as United Way through our Creative City: Block by Block* program helps to transform neighbourhoods and the lives of young people.

When one considers that Toronto spends less than half of what Montreal does on arts and culture (and much less than other major cities in North America), we know we have a great deal more to do to nurture this creative city into being. But we have such an incredible opportunity! As I reflect on the fact that Toronto Arts Council will be 35 years old next year, and how Toronto has evolved in that time, it is exciting to envision where we could be in the next 35 years – a truly welcoming place for artists, ideas, innovation, and the public.

Claire Hopkinson, Executive Director
Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council Foundation

*Please go to www.torontoarts.org to for an overview of companies participating in the Creative City: Block by Block

Visual Art

Toronto’s Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art is an increasingly influential player in our city’s cultural scene. Through the operation of an art gallery, a photographic and digital arts magazine, and a monthly speaker series, Prefix explores the transformative role that art plays in our urban environment. (more)