Facts & Stats
The arts and culture sector is a key economic driver that contributes to local economies; builds strong, vibrant communities; and creates civic engagement and provincial pride.
According to the Provincial and Territorial Culture Indicators, 2014 produced by Stats Canada:
- In 2014, B.C.’s growth in culture gross domestic product (GDP) was higher than the national average.
- B.C. consistently has the third-highest culture GDP and jobs in the country, ahead of Alberta and behind Ontario and Quebec.
- B.C.’s total culture GDP in 2014 was about $6.7 billion, a $1 billion increase since 2010.
- B.C.’s culture GDP represents 3% of B.C.’s economy and 12.2% of culture GDP in Canada
Other interesting notes:
- Approximately 88,000 volunteers and 126,000 donors support arts and culture in B.C.
- With 24,800 artists, B.C. has more artists per capita than any other province.
- The number of artists in B.C. grew by 74% between 1989 and 2013.
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The United Nations has identified the creative economy as one of the world's fastest growing sectors for income generation, job creation and export earnings.