Statistical insights on the arts

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Plus a handy recap of some key findings to date

Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)
Aug 30, 2022
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Happy end of August everyone. This week, I’m looking for some feedback from you.

What have you particularly liked or disliked about the content offered by Statistical insights on the arts, since its re-launch in June? Has any post been particularly useful to you? How so?

If you have basic questions about the new service, you will find an FAQ here.

To post a comment on this webpage, you can use the button below. Or you can reply to this email if you'd prefer to keep the conversation private.

If you want to learn more about the content to date, scroll down — that’s what the rest of this post provides.

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Qu'est-ce qui vous a particulièrement plu ou déplu du côté du contenu de Statistical insights on the arts, depuis son lancement en juin? Y a-t-il un article qui vous a été particulièrement utile? Comment?

J’ai créé une foire aux questions pour répondre aux questions communes.

Pour partager votre commentaire sur cette page Web, vous pouvez utiliser le bouton Leave a comment ci-dessus. Vous pouvez également répondre à ce courriel si vous préférez que la conversation reste privée.

Si vous souhaitez en savoir plus sur le contenu à ce jour, c'est ce que vous propose le reste de ce billet (en anglais).

Statistical insights on the arts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

17 analytical posts since early June

To remind you of what I’ve been up to since June, the remainder of this post highlights interesting findings to date related to artists and cultural workers, equity, benefits of the arts, and the pandemic’s influence on the arts. The posts containing provincial information are collected at the end. (Note: There are posts that fit in multiple categories.)

Heading: Artists and cultural workers
Statistical insights on the arts
All signs point to precarity
Just over a week ago, the Department of Canadian Heritage released the results of a survey of over 4,700 artists and content creators that was conducted between May and July of 2021. The report’s interesting but not particularly surprising key findings were…
Read more
7 months ago · 7 likes · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

There is a high degree of precarity among artists and content creators. Factors include: Low income. Income volatility. Self-employment. Even worse during the pandemic.

Statistical insights on the arts
Job vacancy crisis in the arts?
I have heard in multiple settings recently that there is a huge challenge in finding qualified people to work in certain arts and culture jobs. In this post, I investigate what the available statistics tell us about the scale and duration of this challenge…
Read more
8 months ago · 6 likes · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key finding

The job vacancy rate has been particularly high since April of 2021, when the sector experienced a record monthly vacancy rate of 8.8%.

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Statistical insights on the arts
Arts and culture workers in 2021
In this post, I highlight some important facts about arts and culture workers in Canada, based largely on data that I commissioned from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (LFS). Key stats in this post: # of arts and culture workers. Hours worked. % of all Canadian workers. Self-employment rate for arts and culture workers, compared with the overall labour force…
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8 months ago · 1 like · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key topics

# of arts and culture workers. Hours worked. % of all Canadian workers. Self-employment rate for arts and culture workers, compared with the overall labour force.

Statistical insights on the arts
Arts and culture workers in the pandemic
Yesterday, I posted about the situation of arts and culture workers in 2021, including lots of information about the strengths and limitations of data from the Labour Force Survey. Today, let’s look at pandemic-induced changes in arts and culture employment and self-employment…
Read more
8 months ago · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key topics and findings

What are some of the impacts of the pandemic on arts and culture workers? Are there differences between employed and self-employed workers? In 2021, the overall labour force returned to pre-pandemic levels, with a high job vacancy rate. What’s the situation for arts and culture workers?

Statistical insights on the arts
Long-term employment trends for artists and arts and culture workers
Rare bird alert! Today, I’ll delve into 25-year trends in arts and culture employment – back to 1997. This type of long-term analysis is extremely rare in the Canadian arts sector. This post follows last week’s start to the series on arts and culture employment and self-employment, with posts about the situation in 2021 and pandemic-induced changes…
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8 months ago · 7 likes · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

My analysis of long-term employment trends shows that, between 1997 and 2021:
* There has been consistent growth in hours worked by all arts and culture workers over the long term, with the notable exception of 2020.
* For artists, hours worked have risen and fallen through the years, with no consistent pattern. The pandemic resulted in a huge decrease in hours, but there was a rebound in 2021.
* Hours worked by self-employed workers (of all kinds) have had a bumpy ride over the long term.
* There has been a consistent increase in hours worked by employed arts and culture workers and all Canadian workers but a much less consistent trend line for employed artists.

Statistical insights on the arts
Women arts and culture workers
This post investigates a number of equity issues related to women arts and culture workers, including their share of the workforce, their share of hours worked, as well as recent and longer-term trends in these key statistics. Key questions Do women get paid for as many hours of arts and culture work as men…
Read more
8 months ago · 1 like · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

Average hours worked per week: 13% lower for women arts and culture workers than men. Public perceptions of the benefits of the arts and culture Is there a wellbeing deficit related to arts and culture during the pandemic?

Heading: Equity
Statistical insights on the arts
Perceived accessibility of arts and culture venues
How do perceptions of the accessibility of cultural facilities converge or diverge depending on aspects of demographics and identity? Most of the time, I don't start analyzing a dataset or writing a post with a specific point in mind. Rather, I think that there might be an interesting nugget from dataset x, and I wonder what that nugget would show, if analyzed and brought to light…
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6 months ago · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

In all demographic groups, more people believe that they belong at local cultural facilities than not. But there are some significant differences. For example, older, university-educated, and higher-income Canadians are much more likely to indicate that they belong at cultural facilities than other groups.

Statistical insights on the arts
Demographic differences in perceptions of the benefits of the arts and culture for personal wellbeing during the pandemic
Yesterday, I identified what I called a “wellbeing deficit” during the pandemic: more Canadians believe that the arts and culture have NOT been important to their wellbeing during the pandemic than believe that the arts and culture have been important…
Read more
8 months ago · 3 likes · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key finding

People in many equity-seeking groups are more likely than others to believe in the importance of the arts and culture during the pandemic.

Statistical insights on the arts
Women arts and culture workers
This post investigates a number of equity issues related to women arts and culture workers, including their share of the workforce, their share of hours worked, as well as recent and longer-term trends in these key statistics. Key questions Do women get paid for as many hours of arts and culture work as men…
Read more
8 months ago · 1 like · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key finding

Average hours worked per week: 13% lower for women arts and culture workers than men.

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Heading: Benefits of the arts
Statistical insights on the arts
Public perceptions of the benefits of the arts and culture
Throughout my 25 years as an arts researcher, a common theme has been a questioning of the benefits of the arts and culture for societal wellbeing and, to some extent, personal wellbeing. This questioning, and the arts community’s positioning, have taken on many labels over time. While the benefits / impacts / outcomes of the arts could (should?) be thought of holistically, they have often been expressed as a dichotomy, such as…
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8 months ago · 1 like · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

There is strong consensus among Canadians that the arts and culture bring people from different backgrounds together and make their communities better places to live. However, more Canadians believe that the arts and culture have NOT been important to their wellbeing during the pandemic than those who ascribe importance to the arts and culture in their wellbeing.

Statistical insights on the arts
Demographic differences in perceptions of the benefits of the arts and culture for personal wellbeing during the pandemic
Yesterday, I identified what I called a “wellbeing deficit” during the pandemic: more Canadians believe that the arts and culture have NOT been important to their wellbeing during the pandemic than believe that the arts and culture have been important…
Read more
8 months ago · 3 likes · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key finding

People in many equity-seeking groups are more likely than others to believe in the importance of the arts and culture during the pandemic.

Statistical insights on the arts
Provincial similarities and differences in perceptions of the benefits of the arts and culture
Last week, I explored national findings from survey data on public perceptions of the personal and societal benefits of the arts and culture. Today, I’ll highlight provincial similarities and differences regarding some interesting measures of the benefits of the arts…
Read more
7 months ago · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

There is strong consensus among residents of all provinces that the arts and culture are a valuable way of bringing together people from different languages and cultural traditions. Across the country, a high proportion of residents agree that arts and cultural activities make communities better places to live.

Statistical insights on the arts
Visual arts: $4 billion in direct economic impact in Canada
This post aims to shed some light on the visual arts, an arts sector that doesn’t always get the same attention as others, especially when talking about economic impacts. (For an excellent analysis of the economic impacts of the performing arts during the pandemic, see CAPACOA’s…
Read more
6 months ago · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

Impacts of the visual arts in 2021: an $11 billion market, $4 billion in GDP impact, over 45,000 jobs.

Statistical insights on the arts
Changes in the economic impacts of the visual arts since 2010
Last week, I showed that the direct economic impact of the visual arts was $4 billion in Canada in 2021. I provided the breakdown for four areas of the visual arts and offered comparisons with the performing arts. Today, I’ll look at changes in economic indicators for the visual arts before and during the pandemic, back to the beginning of comparable data in 2010…
Read more
6 months ago · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

The visual arts, like many other sectors, were hard hit by the pandemic. The financial hit was substantial, with a more significant drop in 2020 than the average for the overall cultural sector. In 2020, GDP of the visual arts decreased by 12%, before rebounding by 9% in 2021 (both figures adjusted for inflation and population growth). Visual arts jobs decreased by 10% in 2020 and increased by 7% in 2021.

Statistical insights on the arts
Economic impacts of the arts and culture in Canadian provinces and territories: A longer-term view
The key question that I investigate this week is: In which Canadian provinces and territories did the cultural economy increase or decrease between 2010 and 2020? I’ll also look at pre-pandemic changes, i.e., 2010 to 2019. The analysis follows last week’s post related to pandemic-specific changes…
Read more
7 months ago · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

The cultural economy was severely impacted by the pandemic in every province and territory. B.C. and Nunavut were the only two jurisdictions where there was real per capita growth in GDP between 2010 and 2020.

Heading: Impacts of COVID-19
Statistical insights on the arts
Do arts, heritage, and entertainment organizations consider themselves better or worse off now than before the pandemic?
Some arts and heritage organizations and businesses have not survived through the pandemic. Many others have. But how well are they doing? The key question that I investigate today is: Among organizations and businesses that have survived, how many believe that they are in better shape now than before the pandemic…
Read more
6 months ago · 3 likes · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

The arts and heritage sector still has a way to go before it fully recovers from the pandemic. Since early 2020, there has been a 3% decrease in the number of organizations and businesses with at least one employee in the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry group. Many more organizations and businesses in the arts, entertainment, and recreation were worse off than better off in early 2022 than in 2019.

Statistical insights on the arts
Which Canadian provinces and territories saw the largest pandemic-induced decreases in their cultural economies?
The key question that I investigate this week is: In which Canadian provinces and territories did the cultural economy decrease the most in 2020, the first year of the pandemic? I’ll also compare per capita impacts on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between the provinces and territories using the most recent data (2020). This will serve as a starter for nex…
Read more
7 months ago · 3 likes · 2 comments · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

Between 2019 and 2020, Canada’s cultural economy shrunk by 6% (as measured by GDP), with an 11% decrease in cultural jobs. The worst hit cultural economy is in Alberta – the only province or territory with a double-digit decrease in GDP (-10%) and output (also -10%) in 2020.

Statistical insights on the arts
Do arts, heritage, and entertainment organizations in each province consider themselves better or worse off now than before the pandemic?
Last week, I examined data how many Canadian organizations and businesses in the arts, heritage, and entertainment believe that they are in better (or worse) shape now than before the pandemic. Today, I’ll dig into similar indicators for each province, as well as a measurement of the overall changes in the number of organizations and businesses between since early 2020…
Read more
6 months ago · 1 like · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

Most provinces saw a decrease in the number of organizations and businesses in the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry group. In 9 of the 10 provinces, more organizations and businesses in the arts, entertainment, and recreation were worse off than better off in early 2022 compared with 2019.

Heading: Provincial analyses
Statistical insights on the arts
Which Canadian provinces and territories saw the largest pandemic-induced decreases in their cultural economies?
The key question that I investigate this week is: In which Canadian provinces and territories did the cultural economy decrease the most in 2020, the first year of the pandemic? I’ll also compare per capita impacts on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between the provinces and territories using the most recent data (2020). This will serve as a starter for nex…
Read more
7 months ago · 3 likes · 2 comments · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

Between 2019 and 2020, Canada’s cultural economy shrunk by 6% (as measured by GDP), with an 11% decrease in cultural jobs. The worst hit cultural economy is in Alberta – the only province or territory with a double-digit decrease in GDP (-10%) and output (also -10%) in 2020.

Statistical insights on the arts
Economic impacts of the arts and culture in Canadian provinces and territories: A longer-term view
The key question that I investigate this week is: In which Canadian provinces and territories did the cultural economy increase or decrease between 2010 and 2020? I’ll also look at pre-pandemic changes, i.e., 2010 to 2019. The analysis follows last week’s post related to pandemic-specific changes…
Read more
7 months ago · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

The cultural economy was severely impacted by the pandemic in every province and territory. B.C. and Nunavut were the only two jurisdictions where there was real per capita growth in GDP between 2010 and 2020.

Statistical insights on the arts
Provincial similarities and differences in perceptions of the benefits of the arts and culture
Last week, I explored national findings from survey data on public perceptions of the personal and societal benefits of the arts and culture. Today, I’ll highlight provincial similarities and differences regarding some interesting measures of the benefits of the arts…
Read more
7 months ago · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

There is strong consensus among residents of all provinces that the arts and culture are a valuable way of bringing together people from different languages and cultural traditions. Across the country, a high proportion of residents agree that arts and cultural activities make communities better places to live.

Statistical insights on the arts
Do arts, heritage, and entertainment organizations in each province consider themselves better or worse off now than before the pandemic?
Last week, I examined data how many Canadian organizations and businesses in the arts, heritage, and entertainment believe that they are in better (or worse) shape now than before the pandemic. Today, I’ll dig into similar indicators for each province, as well as a measurement of the overall changes in the number of organizations and businesses between since early 2020…
Read more
6 months ago · 1 like · Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

Key findings

Most provinces saw a decrease in the number of organizations and businesses in the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry group. In 9 of the 10 provinces, more organizations and businesses in the arts, entertainment, and recreation were worse off than better off in early 2022 compared with 2019.

Statistical insights on the arts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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3 Comments
Haleema Mini
Aug 31, 2022

As Director of Development I am constantly looking for a way to show the impact of theatre/performing arts to corporations. Since June, I haven't found any insights that is particularly useful for this. I am less interested in perception, cultural workers, or differences between Canadian provinces.

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Alix
Aug 30, 2022Liked by Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)

I really like the pieces that explored sense of belonging and the perceptions of the arts among different demographic groups. I think it's an ongoing issues that many organizations are contending with - some better than others. Lots of interesting food for thought!

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