Arts Community Pulse Survey: Impact of Public Funding Analysis

The Canada Council for the Arts undertook analysis to better understand the impact of public funding on the arts sector.

Research goal

This analysis explores findings from the Arts Community Pulse survey related to the economic, social and cultural impact of public funding, including benefits for grant recipients and communities across Canada and internationally.

The survey aimed to provide a picture of the sector on a national scale, that can be used widely to communicate the importance of sustainable public support for the arts in Canada.

Methods

This analysis focuses on artists, arts groups and organizations that received support from the Canada Council for the Arts or another public funder. Of the 7,255 respondents to the survey, 5,495 received public funding (75%), including 1,406 organizations and 4,089 individuals or groups.

Outcomes

Public funding, including that of the Canada Council, has a significant economic, social and cultural impact on grant recipients and communities across Canada and internationally. These impacts were apparent across Canada Council programs, fields of practice, regions and by designated priority group.

Most organizations reported that public funding:

• contributed to the local economy (83%) and reduced financial stress (75%)
• contributed to the well-being of a community (86%) and facilitated understanding across different cultures or groups (76%)
• helped raise the visibility for an artistic practice or community (80%), helped them expand or improve their activities (69%), experiment, innovate or try something new (67%), and share skills and resources (62%)

Most individuals and groups reported that public funding:

• contributed to the local economy (75%) and reduced financial stress (82%)
• contributed to the well-being of a community (76%) and helped facilitate understanding across different cultures or groups (72%).
• helped them experiment, innovate or try something new (86%), expand or improve their activities (86%), and foster important new relationships (80%).

The findings from this research will inform the Canada Council’s support to the arts so that the sector can keep making its vital economic, social and cultural contributions in the longer term. Read more in the Canada Council’s Director and CEO, Michelle Chawla’s letter to the community from May 2025.

Interactive dashboard

Explore results on the economic, social and cultural impact of public funding from the Arts Community Pulse Survey, including detailed findings by Canada Council program, region, field of practice and respondent type with the interactive dashboard below.

Questions?

Please contact the Research, Measurement and Data Analytics Section at research@canadacouncil.ca.