Mississauga Arts Council believes in the critical role the arts play in our communities. Arts and culture are essential to enriching our communities, advancing our economy, and enhancing our overall quality of life. In line with this belief, our advocacy efforts work in tandem with MAC’s mission, to promote the value of the arts in Mississauga to ensure a thriving arts community and economy.
Advocacy Updates
Mississauga City Council Approves New Municipal Funding for the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Sector
Dream Out Loud – new funding confirmed for the Mississauga arts sector.
MAC Advocacy Invites Arts Groups to “Dream Out Loud” at Council
Mississauga City Council approves new arts funding and policy changes after MAC's "Imagine a Thrivin…
And the winners are….Full house honours local artists for creative excellence at the 29th Mississauga Arts Awards (The MARTYS)
Mississauga’s new Mayor Carolyn Parrish excited 500 artists and supporters at The MARTYS gala awards…
Imagine a Thriving Arts Economy – Arts Advocacy Presentation
On June 19, 2024, the Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) presented Imagine a Thriving Arts Economy to the General Committee meeting of Mississauga City Council.
In this presentation, MAC advocated for $4 million in increased funding for the grassroots Arts, Culture and Heritage groups in Mississauga. We highlighted the disparity between how Mississauga is funded versus Toronto, noting the significant cost of living pressures on underpaid artists. Furthermore, we emphasized the grassroots capacity limitations on collaborating with the City’s new Future Directions Culture Plan. Council’s progressive response led by Councillor Butt introduced his intention to move that a new committee of Council be struck, the Subcommittee of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, to investigate new funding resources for arts, culture, festivals and heritage groups that can make a case for more.
You can view the presentation below, and watch the live deputation to Council here.
The Case for Mississauga Arts Advocacy
Mississauga Arts Council knows how important advocating for the arts is to our city. In turn, we recognize that arts and culture are powerful forces that provide economic, social, and community value. The following resources provide insights on the current state of the arts locally, and demonstrate the profound impact the arts have in both Mississauga and all of Ontario.
Statistical profile of the 2,800 professional artists in Mississauga – Hill Strategies
Hill Strategies Inc. published a statistical profile of Mississauga’s professional artists, covering 2,800 artists based on data from Statistics Canada’s 2021 census.
The report covers demographics and characteristics such as job title, income, and education level, as well as their comparison to provincial averages.
- There are 2,800 professional artists in Mississauga
- Nearly one-half of professional artists in Mississauga are racialized
- Two-thirds are self-employed
- The median income of professional artists is $26,400, 46% lower than other local workers.
Impact of the Arts in Ontario – Ontario Arts Council
The arts contribute to a strong economy
- Arts and culture in Ontario directly contribute $27 billion annually to the provincial economy, representing 3.4% of Ontario’s GDP.1
- There are more than 254,985 culture jobs in Ontario or 3.8% of total Ontario employment.1
The arts revitalize Ontario communities and build local economic development
- In a 2010 survey of 18 mid-sized Ontario cities, all municipalities reported using cultural and recreational amenities as a tool for downtown revitalization. 83% deemed this strategy to be an effective tool.2
- According to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, “arts, culture and heritage improve the ability of municipal governments to influence local economic development by attracting and retaining a skilled and talented workforce.”3
- 88% of Ontarians agree that arts and cultural activities are important to a community’s economic well-being.4
The arts help attract and retain employees
- 65% of Ontario business leaders say that a thriving arts and culture scene is something that would make it easier to attract top talent to their community.5
- 65% of skilled workers agree that a thriving arts and cultural scene is something they would look for when considering moving to a new community.6
- 80% of Ontarians agree that an active local arts scene helps communities attract business.7
The arts help drive tourism across Ontario
- 9.5 million overnight tourists participate in arts and culture activities while visiting Ontario, generating $3.7 billion in GDP province-wide.8
- Arts and culture tourists spend more and stay longer: the average Ontario arts/culture tourist spends twice as much per trip as a typical tourist and stays more than one night longer.8
Ontarians support public funding of the arts
- 79% of Ontarians believe that the government should spend public dollars to support the arts.7
Ontarians link the arts with improved quality of life
- 93% of Ontarians believe that arts activities help enrich the quality of our lives.7
- 90% of Ontarians agree that an active local arts scene helps make a community a better place to live.7
- 88% of Ontarians believe that if their community lost its arts activities, people living there would lose something of value.7
- 92% of Ontarians agree that exposure to arts and culture is important to individual well-being.4
Ontarians show their support for the arts in many ways
- 86% of Ontarians attend live arts events or performances (such as music concerts, plays or visual arts exhibits) at least once a year.4
- Over 280,000 Ontarians volunteer in arts and culture organizations.9
- Over 380,000 Ontarians donate money to arts and culture organizations annually.9
Canadians recognize how arts education can foster creativity and positive outcomes
- 84% of Canadians agree that engaging children in the arts helps them be more creative and expressive.10
- 97% of Ontarians agree that engaging children in the arts is important to their overall development.7
- 78% of Canadians believe that the arts help children from disadvantaged communities succeed.10
Ontarians believe that the arts enhance shared community identity and belonging
- 88% of Ontarians agree that participating in arts activities builds a shared sense of community identity.7
- 90% of Ontarians agree that arts experiences help bring people from diverse backgrounds together as a community.7
- 86% of Ontarians agree that the arts help us express and define what it means to be Canadian.7
How You Can Help
Donate
Consider donating to MAC to help us continue to build opportunities and support our local artists and creative communities.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to give back, spread kindness, and build empathy within our community.
Spread the word
Whether on social media, email, or as physical mail, please continue to advocate as to why supporting the arts, and artists, matters.