Ontario's Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries: Strengthening Competitiveness and Communities
As of 2024, the global creative economy has an estimated value of USD $985 billion, with a projected growth of 40% by 2030. Despite Ontario’s culture sector contributing more than CAD $26 billion to the province’s GDP and over 270,000 jobs in industries like film, music, galleries, and digital media, the sector remains underprioritized in economic development discussions.
Through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Arts and Culture Initiative, we brought together a diverse range of industry stakeholders from across the province to understand the sector’s economic significance and spotlight opportunity gaps. Our brief, Ontario’s Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries: Strengthening Competitiveness and Communities, highlights the sector as a strategic economic asset, and provides recommendations to leverage creativity to enhance Ontario’s competitiveness while strengthening its communities. Read the release.
Our sincere thanks to all our project partners for the contributions and support.
Lead Partners
Presenting Partner
Quotes from our Partners
“In a time when Ontario-made matters more than ever, Ontario’s Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries: Strengthening Competitiveness and Communities advances key policy priorities. The Ontario Arts Council’s ongoing investment in the arts fuels a future-proof economy, resilient communities, and the creative infrastructure that drives innovation, tourism, and global competitiveness. Ontario’s cultural industries are an engine of growth and social cohesion. Strengthening our commitment to the arts is essential to building a prosperous, inclusive future,” said Michael Murray, CEO, Ontario Arts Council.
“Ontario’s creative industries are a critical driver of the provincial economy, powering innovation, culture, and community across every corner of the province. The OCC’s new report concisely and compellingly showcases the resilience and potential of this sector, laying out a pathway to unlock growth that will create jobs, attract investment, drive tourism, and, ultimately, strengthen our communities. By highlighting opportunities and tackling barriers to growth, we can ensure Toronto, and Ontario, remain a global leader in creativity, commerce, and talent and that Ontario reaps the many benefits of a thriving creative industries sector for now and decades to come,” said Pat Tobin, General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, City of Toronto.
“Ontario’s screen, publishing and music industries are economic powerhouses, earning international recognition for excellence in people, production and content. We are proud to have partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to highlight the innovation, strengths and potential of these sectors through this policy brief, and we look forward to continuing this important conversation about how we can work together to enhance Ontario’s competitive position as an attractive business jurisdiction for investment,” says Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO, Ontario Creates.
“OCAD University is a crucial partner to Ontario in providing lifelong learning and skills to support the creativity and innovation our province needs. This brief demonstrates that when we invest in the competitiveness of our cultural and creative industries, the economy reaps the benefits. These sectors are critical to growing Ontario’s productivity and trade resilience and to supporting Ontario’s diverse communities and regions,” said Miriam Kramer, Executive Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, OCAD U.
“We are pleased to partner in this important report showing the vital contributions of the arts, culture, and creative industries to the livability and global competitiveness of Ontario. Toronto’s creative sector is a dynamic and powerful strategic asset for the entire province. Integrating the arts and creative industries in economic action plans will ensure that communities across Ontario are international destinations for investment, partnership, and tourism,” said Kelly Langgard, Director and CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Foundation.
“In a time when Ontario-made matters more than ever, Ontario’s Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries: Strengthening Competitiveness and Communities advances key policy priorities. The Ontario Arts Council’s ongoing investment in the arts fuels a future-proof economy, resilient communities, and the creative infrastructure that drives innovation, tourism, and global competitiveness. Ontario’s cultural industries are an engine of growth and social cohesion. Strengthening our commitment to the arts is essential to building a prosperous, inclusive future,” said Michael Murray, CEO, Ontario Arts Council.
“Ontario’s creative industries are a critical driver of the provincial economy, powering innovation, culture, and community across every corner of the province. The OCC’s new report concisely and compellingly showcases the resilience and potential of this sector, laying out a pathway to unlock growth that will create jobs, attract investment, drive tourism, and, ultimately, strengthen our communities. By highlighting opportunities and tackling barriers to growth, we can ensure Toronto, and Ontario, remain a global leader in creativity, commerce, and talent and that Ontario reaps the many benefits of a thriving creative industries sector for now and decades to come,” said Pat Tobin, General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, City of Toronto.
“Ontario’s screen, publishing and music industries are economic powerhouses, earning international recognition for excellence in people, production and content. We are proud to have partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to highlight the innovation, strengths and potential of these sectors through this policy brief, and we look forward to continuing this important conversation about how we can work together to enhance Ontario’s competitive position as an attractive business jurisdiction for investment,” says Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO, Ontario Creates.
“OCAD University is a crucial partner to Ontario in providing lifelong learning and skills to support the creativity and innovation our province needs. This brief demonstrates that when we invest in the competitiveness of our cultural and creative industries, the economy reaps the benefits. These sectors are critical to growing Ontario’s productivity and trade resilience and to supporting Ontario’s diverse communities and regions,” said Miriam Kramer, Executive Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, OCAD U.
“We are pleased to partner in this important report showing the vital contributions of the arts, culture, and creative industries to the livability and global competitiveness of Ontario. Toronto’s creative sector is a dynamic and powerful strategic asset for the entire province. Integrating the arts and creative industries in economic action plans will ensure that communities across Ontario are international destinations for investment, partnership, and tourism,” said Kelly Langgard, Director and CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Foundation.
“In a time when Ontario-made matters more than ever, Ontario’s Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries: Strengthening Competitiveness and Communities advances key policy priorities. The Ontario Arts Council’s ongoing investment in the arts fuels a future-proof economy, resilient communities, and the creative infrastructure that drives innovation, tourism, and global competitiveness. Ontario’s cultural industries are an engine of growth and social cohesion. Strengthening our commitment to the arts is essential to building a prosperous, inclusive future,” said Michael Murray, CEO, Ontario Arts Council.