Why should governments at all levels subsidize the arts?
Encourage cultural enrichment: Concerts, live theatre, dance performances, art gallery shows, readings and film festivals are all important components of the arts and culture ecosystem of many communities. By subsidizing these expressions of creativity, governments can promote local art scenes, diversify the experiences available to community members, and contribute to cultural enrichment.
Boost local economy: All the above components of local art scenes can bring economic benefits to host communities by attracting tourists, creating jobs, and supporting local businesses. The arts can generate a surprising volume of revenue for their host communities. Government subsidies can help to sustain and grow the arts community, which in turn can strengthen local economies. According to Hill Strategies Research Inc., Canadian performing arts organizations generate $2.70 for every $1.00 of government investment. Also, visual arts contributed more than $8 billion to the Canadian economy in 2022 (Hill Strategies Research).
Increase accessibility: The costs of attending concerts, gallery displays, theatre or dance performances, and films can be prohibitively expensive, and not everyone is able to afford to attend these events. Government subsidies make the arts more accessible to a wider audience. Subsidies allow venues to offer pay-what-you-can admission policies.
Support artistic freedom: Creative forms such as theatre, dance, painting, photography, sculpture, film and music allow artists to express themselves freely and explore different new themes. By providing subsidies, governments can help to support artistic freedom and ensure that artists are not unduly limited by financial constraints. Public funding ensures that a broader range of voices are heard and more diverse stories are told.
Preserve cultural heritage: Many traditional art forms and practices are at risk of being lost, stolen or forgotten. By subsidizing the arts, governments can help to preserve cultural heritage and ensure that future generations can benefit from the richness of the local traditions.
Overall, funding and supporting the arts can provide a range of benefits to the community at large, especially here in Peterborough. The arts also offer a bridge for building understanding between settler communities and First Nations.
Given the above points, from a business standpoint, why doesn’t the City of Peterborough increase its investment in the arts? Instead, arts funding is shrinking relative to our growing population. How come? A few weeks ago, one of Peterborough’s local gems — The Theatre on King or TTOK, had this year’s grant from the City slashed to zero. Thankfully, since this grant denial was announced, TTOK launched a successful fundraising campaign to keep the doors open for at least the next 12 months. But dashing from crisis to crisis is not an enduring way to sustain any arts organization. In the long run, stability is a more constructive environment for the arts community than one of constant panic.
According to our panel of Su Ditta, Bill Kimball and Kate Story, funding for the arts in Peterborough needs to be managed by an independent body or agency — a professional arts council — that is, at arm’s length from elected officials. This discussion was recorded on April 23rd, 2023 and is just over 53 minutes long.
