Impact of the Digital Now Initiative, 2021-25

The Canada Council for the Arts engaged Hill+Knowlton to undertake an analysis of the Digital Now initiative.

Research goal

The analysis is focused on funded activities, including benefits for the sector and diverse communities, strategies for dissemination, monetization and ensuring safe workspaces.

Methods

Responses from final reports from 903 recipients received during the 2021-25 period were analyzed.

Outcomes

Hill+Knowlton highlighted the impact of grant recipients’ projects:

• Over 53,000 artists and arts workers were engaged, receiving $48.6 million in professional fees and salaries.
• The initiative funded the creation of 5,036 new works and the adaptation of 9,440 existing ones, with 29% being co-productions.
• Digital works were widely disseminated enabling artists to reach both current and new audiences.
• A wide range of diverse communities were engaged, including seniors, 2SLGBTQI+ and gender-diverse communities, children and youth, and racialized communities.
• Recipients reported significant advancements in their artistic practice, including reaching new audiences (95%), expanding professional networks (94%), enhancing artistic skills (91%), and adding new dimensions to their art (90%).

Questions?

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