Why Creative Spaces Matter

Facilities are integral to healthy arts organizations

Facilities are the places where arts and culture happen. Healthy facilities, artistic capability, organizations and  finances are the four hallmarks of a thriving arts and culture sector. Despite their importance, facilities are the most under-resourced component of arts operations.

Arts facilities house culture 

As the fourth largest share in the Ontario economy, Ontario’s arts, culture and heritage sector represents $27.7 billion or 4.1% of the province’s GDP and almost 302,000 jobs. The creative economy is the fastest growing segment of our economy. Artist and entrepreneurial live-work space, creative hubs, proximity to cultural amenities, re-purposed heritage buildings and cultural tourism attractions are just some of the spaces our creative economy requires.

  • Arts organizations are essential elements of vibrant, livable communities
  • Investment in Ontario’s cultural infrastructure contributes to the province’s economic growth and its overall competitive advantage
  • Culture is at the core of the 21st century prosperous, creative economy
  • Facilities are integral to healthy arts organizations

Arts facilities make our communities vibrant places to live

Ontario’s arts organizations are essential to vibrant, livable communities. It’s a simple and widely acknowledged fact. They are significant vehicles for community vitality and cohesion. They enhance local economic development through direct employment and cultural tourism, and by helping communities offer the quality of life that attracts the skilled workers needed in the 21st century creative economy.

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Investment in Ontario’s cultural infrastructure contributes to the province’s economic growth

  • Support for culture is an investment in skills, knowledge and quality of life, for people of all ages, across Ontario.
  • Partnerships with the federal government and local municipalities are essential components of cultural infrastructure projects.
  • Cultural infrastructure investment establishes opportunities for innovation and creativity. Creative hubs and districts such as the Toronto’s Centre for Social Innovation, Wychwood Barns, Distillery District, and Hamilton’s Creative Art Centre are recognized internationally as leading creative convergence developments, that have transformed their neighbourhoods and communities.
  • Investment in cultural infrastructure fulfills local cultural, tourism and economic development commitments, goals and strategies. It is often partnered with community and private sector matching support.