Arts insights in a new format

New structure to Hill Strategies' work

I am excited and a bit nervous to announce a new structure to Hill Strategies' work. Statistical insights on the arts will now be distributed at statsinsights.hillstrategies.com.

Through a subscription model, I will continue to offer in-depth insights about the Canadian arts community, but I need your help! Please support this work by purchasing a (very affordable) subscription to our statistical insights, arts research summaries, and informative blog posts.

If you have previously opted into Hill Strategies’ email list, you have automatically been added as a free subscriber to the new service, which means that you’ll receive those posts that are not behind a paywall (roughly 1 in every 3 or 4 new posts). Don’t miss a post – and please help me out – by upgrading to a paid subscription!

Expanded statistical work: census data, provincial and local data, and more!

I plan to continue to gather and analyze interesting data and qualitative research into the state of the arts in Canada – insights that are vital to the arts community’s advocacy, fundraising, market research, self-evaluation, and more!

Our recent user survey showed that you really value our statistical work. I plan to expand this work through the new outlet, as well as to complement the statistical work with summaries of research from the arts community.

Crucial census data on artists and arts workers will be made available this year. I will gather and analyze this data as soon as I can, which will give us all an idea of how artists have fared since the last census in 2016.

I plan to significantly increase the provincial and local data provided on the site. This has sometimes been neglected in the past because local data doesn't always "make a point" that is distinct from national statistics.

The pandemic continues to be very difficult for the Canadian arts sector. I will continue to monitor and report on the situation.

Insights into important issues in the arts community

There are many important issues that I plan to investigate and write about:

• Artists and arts workers

• Funding and finances

• Public engagement (attendance / participation / education)

• Organizations / venues / infrastructure

• Economic impacts

• Community / social impacts

• Decolonization, equity, diversity, inclusion

• Climate change / sustainability

An experienced voice in arts research

Based on my 25 years of arts research experience, I will also offer a bit of a "behind the scenes" look at the processes of knowledge gathering, analysis, and distribution. This is a rare opportunity to learn about the nuts and bolts of arts research processes and methods, including:

• Strengths and weaknesses of different data sources – with a particular focus on the census this year.

• Measurement challenges that might seem simple but are not (and are hugely important), such as: Who is a "worker"? Who is an “artist”? Who is an "arts worker"? (e.g., counting occupations vs counting industries)

• Survey design and analysis

• Concepts like the creative economy and creative class: How are they defined by different organizations, governments, and funding bodies? (You might be surprised at how much it varies from city to city, province to province, and country to country.)

There you go. That's essentially been the framework of my work for the past 25 years.

I'm now at the point of my career where I don't mind giving away (many of) the keys to the store.

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A note regarding the shift to a paid subscription model

I would love for this work to be in the public domain, but that is unfortunately not an option right now.

Every major funding source for Hill Strategies’ work has been seriously reduced, with major elements of our work threatened or taken away. In addition, I am excited to pursue full independence regarding what I write.

I feel that the best way to maintain in-depth, independent analysis is through a new method of knowledge distribution.

Statistical analysis in the arts is highly specialized and labour-intensive work. I spend significant time and out-of-pocket costs to find relevant data sources, acquire raw data, and produce insightful reports. I hope that I am offering vital information to you and others interested in the arts.

I need funding to do this work!

I believe that it is better for Hill Strategies to produce this knowledge via a paywall site than to not have it produced at all. I want it to be as affordable and widely available as possible because of its value to the arts community, and I know that many artists and arts organizations are struggling at this time.

Because of the need to generate revenue, most of the new posts will be behind a paywall. However, if I reach 1,200 paid subscribers, I will remove the paywall for all posts. Please help us reach that goal by purchasing a subscription!

Thanks!

Kelly Hill

President, Hill Strategies Research