81% of Torontonians see arts education in schools as important

"Torontonians value the role the arts play in the lives of children and youth both in school and community settings. 81% of Torontonians view arts education programs in school as important and 80% see youth/child participation in the arts as important."

This information is from Toronto Arts Stats 2015, a compilation of results from an online survey plus discussions with three neighbourhood-based focus groups conducted by the Toronto Arts Foundation.

Toronto Art Stats 2015 is a compilation of results from an online survey of just over 500 Toronto residents conducted in January 2015 through Leger’s online panel LegerWeb. In addition, information was gathered through three Count Me In! focus groups organized by North York Arts and East End Arts
in neighbourhood settings in January and February 2015.

Building upon previous work, this year’s survey was expanded and participants were offered an opportunity to share their ideas via open-ended written responses. In addition, new questions were added to explore points of view about exposure to arts at a young age, the value artists bring to the city, and a deeper dive into the benefits of the arts. For the second consecutive year, the positive impact of the arts on quality of life in Toronto is supported by the research results.

The report touches on four themes: Arts Engagement, Arts Impact, Arts Connection, Arts Funding.

Torontonians see the arts as a way to attract tourists, improve the economy, create employment, and make the city more beautiful. The majority think professional artists have a job like anyone else and deserve appropriate compensation. They think children and youth should have opportunities to
participate in the arts and see the arts as benefitting them personally by exposing them to new ideas. In short, they care about the arts and see it as an integral and valuable part of life.

An overwhelming 97% of Torontonians see at least one benefit of the arts to the City of Toronto. The results of the 2015 survey show that our vision of a Creative City: Block by Block is alive and well and supported by the residents Canada's largest city.

You can view the full report on the Toronto Arts Foundations website here: http://www.torontoartsfoundation.org/tac/media/taf/Research/Toronto%20Arts%20Stats%202015/Toronto-Arts-Stats-2015-Booklet-FINAL-web.pdf