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.

The data source is a survey conducted in February and March of 2021 by Environics Research Group for the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts. The survey had a large sample size (10,220 people 16 or older) that achieved a representative sample in each province west of New Brunswick, plus an overall estimate for the Atlantic provinces. The report for the survey notes that the sample was drawn from an opt-in panel, and no margin of error was calculated.

Territorial statistics are available but not reported here. A separate telephone survey, with 306 respondents, was conducted in the three territories, but the results related to the benefits questions may not be comparable between the territories and the provinces, because of the different mode of contact.

Are there differences between the provinces in residents’ agreement with statements regarding the value of the arts and culture for personal and social wellbeing?