Performing arts, 2014

October 19, 201619 October 2016

Issue

Performing arts

Article Link

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/160329/dq160329d-eng.htm

Statistics Canada's biennial performing arts data provide information about not-for-profit and for-profit organizations in five main areas: 1) theatre companies (except musical theatre); 2) musical theatre and opera companies, including dinner theatre; 3) dance companies; 4) musical groups and artists, including orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and popular music groups; and 5) other performing arts companies such as circus companies and ice skating shows.

The 2014 data incorporate important methodological changes from previous years: “data from this table reflect important improvements Statistics Canada made to its methods and processes used to compile its annual economic statistics. Users are advised to use caution in making comparisons between current series and previously terminated series.” In particular, the data tables now include smaller companies that had previously been excluded, thereby increasing the overall sample size.

Hill Strategies has analyzed Statistics Canada’s preliminary data for 2014, with a particular focus on not-for-profit organizations, for this issue of the Arts Research Monitor. Because of Statistics Canada’s methodological changes, historical comparisons have not been made.

Operating revenues were $1.91 billion for all performing arts groups in 2014. Operating expenses were $1.68 billion, resulting in a collective operating surplus equivalent to 12.1% of revenues.

Not-for-profit performing organizations had $832 million in total revenues in 2014, somewhat less than for-profit organizations ($1.08 billion). Total operating expenses of not-for-profit performing organizations ($817 million) were slightly lower than operating revenues, leaving a surplus of 1.8% of operating revenues. Salaries, wages, and benefits (excluding fees paid to contract workers) of not-for-profit performing arts organizations were $300 million in 2014, or 36% of operating expenses.

Total attendance was 10.8 million at 32,800 performances by not-for-profit performing organizations in 2014, for an average of 328 attendees per performance. On a per-performance basis, total revenues equalled $25,400, while performance-related revenues were $8,700. (Performance-related revenues include subscriptions, single ticket sales, contract production revenues, and touring income.) Total revenues per attendee were $77, with performance-related revenues amounting to $26 per attendee.

Key statistics for not-for-profit organizations in each discipline in 2014 follow.

Not-for-profit performing arts organizations, 2014

Type of organization	Operating revenues	Surplus / deficit as % of revenues	Attendance	Performances	Average attendance
Theatre	$398 million	2.0%	5.9 million	24,400	243
Music	$203 million	3.0%	2.4 million	3,000	782
Opera, musical theatre, and dinner theatre	$103 million	-1.1%	1.1 million	2,500	413
Dance	$111 million	1.6%	1.0 million	2,000	532
Multidisciplinary and other	$17 million	2.2%	0.4 million	925	429
Total	$832 million	1.8%	10.8 million	32,800	328

The table below highlights key statistics for not-for-profit organizations in nine provinces in 2014. (Data for Prince Edward Island and the three territories were suppressed by Statistics Canada to ensure respondent confidentiality.)

Not-for-profit performing arts organizations by province, 2014

Province	Operating revenues	Surplus / deficit as % of revenues	Attendance	Performances	Average attendance
British Columbia	$95 million	0.9%	1.7 million	6,000	284
Alberta	$101 million	-2.7%	1.2 million	3,600	333
Saskatchewan	$15 million	1.2%	260,000	800	344
Manitoba	$32 million	-4.7%	580,000	1,000	566
Ontario	$331 million	2.3%	2.9 million	9,700	303
Quebec	$228 million	4.2%	3.4 million	9,200	368
New Brunswick	$6 million	5.4%	110,000	300	342
Nova Scotia	$15 million	3.1%	480,000	1,300	370
Newfoundland and Labrador	$8 million	0.6%	90,000	600	146
Canada	$832 million	1.8%	10.8 million	32,800	328