A new survey by Toronto Arts and the Environics Institute for Survey Research, in partnership with the Toronto Foundation, highlights the powerful role arts and culture play in strengthening social connection across Toronto.

The results are clear: residents engage with the arts in many ways — from attending performances and exhibitions to creative hobbies, cultural traditions, and arts education — and they overwhelmingly believe these activities make Toronto a better place to live.

Regular participation is also linked to greater feelings of belonging; stronger connections with family, friends, and community; and increased openness to different perspectives, reinforcing the vital role the arts play in building a more connected city.

Findings include:

• Two in three Torontonians (67%) attended a concert, a museum or gallery, an arts or culture festival, a theatre performance or a literary event at least once in the past year.
• Seven in ten (69%) Torontonians frequently or occasionally use music or dance to learn more about or stay more in touch with their cultural heritage.
• A large majority of parents with children at home (83%) say that their children have participated in music, arts, crafts, writing, theatre or dance activities at school or outside of school in the past year.

Partnering on research and sharing what we know is a key part of our strategic goal to make the case for the arts. You can find the full survey at the link below.