The Ontario Arts Council knows a thing or two about...

Elliot Lake's soon to be arts centre.

How the arts contributes to a strong economy
3.3% of Ontario's GDP is generated by the Arts, that is a whopping $27.5 billion, with a b, annually. 4.1% of the work force of Ontario is employed by the culture sector or 288,306 people.

How the arts contributes to community revitalization
A 2010 survey of 18 mid-sized communities in Ontario discovered that ALL of them used their Arts and Culture infrastructure to revitalize the downtown. 83% said it worked!

How the arts attracts and retain employees to communities
To attract more easily top talent to a community, say 65% of Ontario business leaders, a community needs a thriving arts and culture scene.

Skilled workers, 65% of them, agreed, according to the OAC.  It is a criteria for moving to a new community, they said.

​

---