Arts Stats 2018 Focuses on Why the Arts Matter
Arts Stats 2018: Why the Arts Matter, a public opinion survey about the arts, reveals that Torontonians overwhelmingly value the creative sector.
TORONTO, September 20, 2018 – Arts Stats 2018: Why the Arts Matter, a public opinion survey about the arts, reveals that Torontonians overwhelmingly value the creative sector. Nearly 90% of survey respondents believe that the arts make Toronto a better place to live, with 71% specifying it’s because the arts engage people with new ideas. Yet Torontonians agree that we need to do more: over 80% think the City of Toronto needs to better support arts initiatives, such as after-school arts programs and arts in public spaces. In addition, 77% would like to see more opportunities to attend the arts in every Toronto ward.
Arts Stats 2018 is a Toronto Arts Foundation publication, produced in partnership with Leger, the largest Canadian-owned polling, research and strategic marketing firm. The Foundation’s partnership with Leger began in 2013 to explore public opinion about the arts, covering topics including arts accessibility, participation, generosity and more. The 2018 survey focuses on why the arts matter. We discovered that Torontonians are optimistic about the city and believe the arts add to their quality of life.
With the upcoming municipal election, Arts Stats 2018 also looks at attitudes to arts policy and platforms. Among other things, we learned that many Torontonians would be concerned if the City of Toronto reduced its financial support for the arts, and that the majority of Torontonians want their mayoral and city council candidates to be arts supporters (71% and 65% respectively).
“Toronto Arts Foundation highlights the importance of the arts to the quality of life in our city,” said Margo Charlton, Research & Impact Manager, Toronto Arts Foundation. “Knowing what Torontonians think about the arts matters to us. Our research anchors our work and helps us, and the arts sector at large, to make informed decisions about arts programming and policies.”
“We’re happy to be partnering with Toronto Arts Foundation to deliver a new set of research: Arts Stats 2018,” said Dave Scholz, Executive Vice-President, Leger. “This new set of data will hopefully show you why the arts matter to our city, how they make our city a better place to live, and how arts support might be a factor in municipal politics.”
To view Arts Stats 2018: Why the Arts Matter, visit our WEBSITE.
Download the Arts Stats Toolkit for more information on the survey, how to use the stats and sample social media posts.
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ABOUT TORONTO ARTS FOUNDATION
Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city, through private sector investment.
ABOUT LEGER
Leger is the largest Canadian-owned polling, research and strategic marketing firm with over 600 employees in Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary in Canada as well as Philadelphia in the United States. Our firm distinguishes itself through its marketing intelligence and strategic advice.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information please contact: Sarah Gladki, Communications Manager at sarah@torontoarts.org or 416-392-6802x217