New Data Indicates Attendance at Canadian Performing Arts Facilities Has Dropped

The following is excerpted from a message from CAPACOA.

Image: CAPACOA.

According to the Arts and Heritage Access and Availability Survey, arts attendance is as strong as ever: in 2016-2017, 87% of Canadians attended at least one performance or arts event in a broad range of facilities, including libraries, schools, clubs, cafés, shopping malls.

However, performing arts facilities are no longer as commonly attended as they used to be. Between 2012 and 2017, reported attendance at performing arts facilities went down from 71% to 60%.

Explanations for this sudden drop include effects of income inequality, perception issues and discoverability gaps. For more information on these causes, and some possible solutions, see this report on the survey from CAPACOA.