Hill Strategies Releases Brief On Organizational Stress + Resilience in the Arts

Hill Strategies Research has released the first statistical report in the new SIA Brief series, designed to offer insights into topics such as public engagement in the arts, the wellbeing of artists and arts organizations, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using recent information from a range of Canadian sources, Organizational stress and resilience in the arts in Canada examines organizational stress and resilience in the arts sector. Where available, specific data on the arts and the broader culture sector are provided. However, because such data are limited, this report also includes recent data related to the “arts, entertainment, and recreation” industry, the closest approximation of the arts in many published datasets. Canada-wide data are analyzed, because provincial and territorial culture statistics are not yet available for the pandemic timeframe. Most datasets relate to the 2020 calendar year, but others provide information as recent as September 2021. Where possible, pre-pandemic comparisons are also provided, with some data available back to 2006.

Key findings

• The total value of all goods and services sold in the culture sector decreased by 10% between 2019 and 2020, reaching its lowest level since 2015.

• Between 2019 and 2020, 55% of organizations and businesses in the arts, entertainment, and recreation experienced a revenue decrease of at least 30% (and 36% experienced at least a 50% decrease). This significant drop in revenue, combined with other factors identified in this brief, has left many organizations in a fragile state.

• Some organizations have closed. In fact, there were 8% fewer organizations and businesses in the arts, entertainment, and recreation in May 2021 than in January 2020.

• The 594,000 employment and self-employment positions in the culture sector in 2020 represented the lowest jobs total since culture specific records began in 2010.

• The performing arts and festivals have been the hardest hit area of the culture sector, losing 52% of sales and 36% of jobs between 2019 and 2020.

• Arts organizations face a range of challenges to their business continuity related to government regulations, staff stress or burnout, financial constraints, and consumer confidence in the safety of attending indoor arts activities.

• Despite these challenges, there is quantitative and qualitative evidence of the resilience of arts organizations.

These key findings point to a unique and challenging financial and work environment for arts organizations in Canada. To overcome their challenges, given that most arts organizations have varied income sources, they require financial support from many different groups: individuals (through ticket sales and donations); governments (through grants and pandemic specific funding); foundations (through grants and pandemic related funding), and businesses (through sponsorships and in-kind support).

On the public health front, many arts organizations are looking forward to a time when it will be safe to have limited or no rules regarding gatherings and seating capacity. In some provinces and territories, this is already the case. However, public confidence in the safety of returning to indoor spaces is also crucial.

To read the full report, including infographics, click here.