B.C. Arts and Culture Facts
Arts and culture are major economic generators.
- B.C.'s arts and culture sector employs more than 78,000 people and contributes more than $5.2 billion each year to our provincial economy.
- It is estimated that $566 million of B.C.’s tourism revenues can be attributed to arts and culture activities.
- In 2005, British Columbians spent an average of $886 per capita on arts and culture, the second highest spending per capita of all provinces.
- Total spending on cultural goods and services was $3.6 billion in 2005 (most recent available figures).
- BC residents spent $160 million on live performing arts, 39% more was spent than on live sports events ($110 million in 2005). Twice as many B.C. households (40%) spent money on live performing arts than on live sports events (20%).
- Among 15 metropolitan areas in Canada, Victoria ranks second in terms of per capita spending on all cultural goods and services at $1,007 per person. Total cultural spending was $310 million in Victoria in 2005.
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