OAC is entering into a contribution agreement funding model for organizations that are currently supported through OAC’s Major Organizations: Operating program. Two organizations supported by other OAC operating funding programs, but that meet the threshold for inclusion in the Major Organizations: Operating program, have been transferred to the Majors group; and have also entered into five-year contribution agreement relationships.
These 12 organizations are:
OAC’s implementation of contribution agreements mirrors an established practice used locally, nationally, and internationally. In transitioning these 12 organizations to a contribution agreement model, OAC is addressing commitments from our 2022-27 strategic plan, Reset. Renew. Revitalize., to pursue change and meet key goals in four directions:
- developing OAC’s funding approach
- amplifying the impact, benefits, and value of the arts
- renewing program design and service delivery
- cultivating connections, collaborations and partnerships
The organizations in this program meet a set of requirements, ranging from minimum annual revenue to national and international impact and significance. These 12 organizations are major contributors to the economic impact of Ontario’s arts sector; over the next five years, they are projected to generate a total combined impact of:
- 23 million audience members and visitors
- 3.4 million arts education participants
- $682.6 million in private sector revenue
- $484.4 million to artistic fees and salaries
Aga Khan Museum (North York)
Founded in 2014, the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Ontario is home to a growing permanent collection of over 1,200 masterpieces, including manuscripts, paintings, ceramics, and textiles from the 9th to the 21st century. Through its innovative online and in-person programs, the museum reaches millions of people worldwide, fostering intercultural dialogue and understanding through the arts.
“As the Aga Khan Museum marks its 10th anniversary of bridging cultures and fostering pluralism through the arts, there is no better place to celebrate the profound impact the arts – in all their cultural diversity – have on our society. At the heart of our mission lies the belief in the power of the arts to affect positive change by fostering intercultural dialogue and understanding. We are proud to provide a platform where vital creative conversations around these crucial themes are not only encouraged but can thrive and offer new perspectives.”
— Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director & CEO, Aga Khan Museum
Canada’s National Ballet School / L'École nationale de ballet du Canada (Toronto)
At Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), programming excellence, access and inclusion fuel their belief in sharing the transformative power of dance to change lives for the better. This is what drives their commitment to making dance a part of all Canadians’ lives – from the Olympic-calibre dancer training for a professional ballet career on the world stage to the young child or older adult who may be embracing the joy of dance for the first time.
“As Ontario's largest arts training organization, Canada's National Ballet School (NBS) relies upon core operating funding from the OAC to engage tens of thousands of Ontarians each year, all across the province, in dance training and health promoting education programs. The school is also one of the province’s largest employers of artists; NBS’ support of Ontarian artists exceeds $5 million annually, an 8x multiplier of our operating grant. This core funding is critical to our impact and growth in communities, and any future investments will allow us to further amplify our impact across the province.”
— John Dalrymple, Executive Director, Canada’s National Ballet School
Canadian Opera Company (Toronto)
The Canadian Opera Company (COC) is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Its diverse repertoire includes new commissions and productions, local and international collaborations with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracts the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The company is an incubator for the future of the art form, nurturing Canada’s new wave of opera performers and creators with customized training and support. The COC’s purpose-built opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, is hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world.
“The COC is proud to join the rich tapestry of cultural organizations delivering a profound impact on the social and economic fabric of Ontario. Our industry not only drives artistic innovation and excellence but also generates significant revenue and jobs, contributing $27 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and creating well-paying positions across the province. Together with the OAC, the COC celebrates and champions Ontario cultural institutions as accessible gathering places, where people from a wide range of backgrounds can come together and experience the transformative power of the arts. In doing so, we’re pleased to play a key role in strengthening local communities, fostering social cohesion, and enriching the cultural landscape of Ontario.”
— David Ferguson, General Director, Canadian Opera Company
Harbourfront Centre (Toronto)
Harbourfront Centre is an international centre for contemporary arts, culture and ideas that operates a 10-acre campus on Toronto’s central waterfront. Harbourfront Centre provides year-round programming 52 weeks a year, seven days a week, supporting a wide range of artists and communities. It aims to inspire audiences and visitors with a breadth of bold, ambitious and engaging experiences, and to champion contemporary Canadian artists throughout their careers, presenting them alongside international artists and fostering national and international artistic exchange between disciplines and cultures.
"At Harbourfront Centre, we are pleased to recognize the contributing role that our organization plays alongside the diverse array of cultural organizations that shape our province. Our collective efforts inspire audiences and visitors with a breadth of bold, ambitious and engaging experiences. In partnership with the Ontario Arts Council, we celebrate Ontario’s cultural institutions as vital community hubs where individuals from all walks of life can come together to experience the transformative power of the arts."
— Cathy Loblaw, CEO, Harbourfront Centre
National Ballet of Canada (Toronto)
One of the top international ballet companies, The National Ballet of Canada is renowned for its diverse repertoire. The company performs traditional full-length classics, embraces contemporary work and encourages the creation of new ballets, as well as the development of Canadian choreographers. It performs three extended engagements at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts each year, augmented by national and international tours. Reaching audiences beyond the traditional theatre setting is one of the National Ballet’s highest priorities, particularly for children, youth and families.
“As a cultural institution committed to enriching lives through the transformative power of the arts, The National Ballet of Canada is proud to support this vital conversation. The findings of the Arts Across Ontario study underscore what we have long known: the arts are not only an expression of our collective identity but a fundamental driver of economic and community vitality. We look forward to continuing to champion the importance of the arts in shaping a prosperous and inclusive future for all Ontarians.”
— Amanda Ram, Interim Executive Director, National Ballet of Canada
Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa)
Ottawa Bluesfest − a 10-day, multi-staged music festival that takes place each July− is one of Ottawa’s top attractions, known for welcoming some of the world’s highest-profile talent and hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Its Blues in the Schools program offers a unique and inspiring opportunity for students of all ages to draw on the energy and experience of award-winning musicians through presentation workshops and hands-on instructional techniques.
The Royal Conservatory (Toronto)
The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, teacher certification and arts-based social programs. It is committed to enabling greater access to music through digital education, with a focus on: supporting and engaging the teaching community; cultivating and inspiring students and their families; bolstering and highlighting Canadian talent; and enriching and enhancing the future of music and music education. It also presents and produces a wide range of concerts (including classical, jazz, roots, and global music) featuring the finest Canadian and international artists in its magnificent performance spaces.
"A vibrant arts scene is essential in building a cohesive, engaged and empathetic society. It is also indisputable that arts education furthers learning and enhances careers across every sector. We are grateful to the OAC for their steadfast support of both performance and learning at The Royal Conservatory.”
— Mervon Mehta, Executive Director, Performing Arts, The Royal Conservatory
Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
The Shaw Festival is a contemporary theatre that features a smart, provocative, potent and diverse mix of plays from the past and present, inspired by the wit and passion of playwright George Bernard Shaw. Its 10+ productions each year are lovingly and artfully brought to the stage by a talented team of actors, directors, and designers, showcasing the incredible tapestry of talent that this country contributes to the world.
“We are so thankful for all the OAC does to promote the live arts. Ontarians come out to the arts in droves. Here at Shaw, 325,000 people a year join us for our shows and to take in the beauty of Niagara, but we know that more Ontarians attend live arts events than live sports events every year and that the arts leverage enormous returns for every dollar invested, as well as creating centre of empathy and social cohesion. Here in Niagara, Shaw generates an $240 million per year of additional tourism spend beyond our doors, or about $7 in the community for every dollar spent with Shaw – a remarkable result for any kind of business.”
— Tim Jennings, Executive Director, Shaw Festival
Stratford Festival (Stratford)
The Stratford Festival is North America’s largest classical repertory theatre company. Each season, it presents 12+ productions in four distinctive venues – including classics, contemporary dramas and musicals, with special emphasis on the plays of Shakespeare – with its ensemble company of actors and extensive design and production staff. Complementing the shows is The Meighen Forum, which offers workshops, speakers, panels and special performances. Other activities include arts education programming for children, youth and adults designed to educate, enhance experiences and engage with audiences.
“Almost 75 years ago, the Stratford Festival was founded as an economic stimulus for the city of Stratford. As of 2024, more than 29 million people have visited Stratford as a result, and billions have poured into the economy. Our most recent research shows the Stratford Festival generates $277 million in annual economic activity and 1,500 full-time-equivalent jobs. And this is just one arts organization in a town of 32,000 people. The power of the arts to feed our economy is very real, but the arts’ ability to feed the soul must always be recognized as equally important.”
— Anita Gaffney, Executive Director, Stratford Festival
Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Toronto)
For more than a century, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has been committed to musical excellence and ability to spark connection – through acclaimed concerts and recordings, Canadian and international tours, and impactful community partnerships (including an array of community-access, health-and-wellness, and education initiatives), it is dedicated to engaging and enriching local and national communities through vibrant musical experiences. The TSO-affiliated Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra is a tuition-free training program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists.
“The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) exists to serve our community through music. Whether we are inspiring the next generation of young musicians, supporting the well-being of patients with dementia, or creating meaningful connections in the concert hall, the TSO is dedicated to making life better for all Ontarians. Whoever you are, you are welcome at the TSO – because this music belongs to all of us.”
— Mark Williams, Beck Family CEO, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Toronto International Film Festival (Toronto)
As Canada's premiere home of cinema, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) presents the best of international and Canadian film, creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds. TIFF’s projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Lightbox, which features five cinemas, learning and entertainment facilities; and the innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. It also offers screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, events, professional development and opportunities to meet, hear and learn from filmmakers from Canada and around the world.
“TIFF generates an estimated economic impact of $240 million annually for the province of Ontario. For almost 50 years TIFF has been bringing Ontario’s screen stories to the world as we cultivate our next generation of screen storytellers. We’re especially proud to have developed hundreds of young filmmakers through TIFF Next Wave and other youth programs. We’re committed to this critical investment in telling our own stories.”
— Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF
University of Toronto Press (Toronto)
Founded in 1901, University of Toronto Press (UTP) is Canada’s leading academic publisher and one of the largest university presses in North America. Its reputation for excellence stems from the publication of influential authors and outstanding research, as well as a continuing dedication to groundbreaking new scholarship. Each year, UTP publishes approximately 180 new scholarly, course and general interest books. It also provides distribution services for Canada’s other English-language university presses, close to 50 American and international university presses, and more than 180 Canadian and international trade publishers.
“We are delighted to be taking part in this important event examining the impact of the arts on both culture and the economy. As the newest member in the OAC’s major organization category, University of Toronto Press (UTP) is proud of its role in both the creation and the dissemination of great content. The support from the OAC helps to ensure diverse stories and voices from across Ontario and the rest of Canada reach a wide audience. Last year alone, over 4 million books were distributed from UTP’s warehouse including scripts, plays, music, journals and graphic novels.”
— Jessica Mosher, President, Publisher & CEO, University of Toronto Press
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