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Toronto Arts Council 2006 Report from President, Don Moffat.

Toronto Arts Council is well into another year of challenges and opportunities as I report on 2006, the year past; an exciting year for the Toronto arts community and Toronto Arts Council as new, cultural facilities opened, and others moved towards completion of major additions and renovations. At the same time, Toronto Arts Council, through increased funding from the City of Toronto, was able to invest more in new, emerging and growing artists and arts organizations. This is in turn has led to a vibrant economy and job opportunities for the Toronto region, the province, and indeed the country. The impact of TAC’s investments in the arts community continues to be staggering – 7.5 million people attend TAC supported exhibitions, performances and festivals – 18,000 performances, exhibitions and festivals are produced by TAC supported organizations and artists – and every $1 of TAC investment is the catalyst for generating approximately $17 of additional revenue from other sources. Each year TAC reviews over 1500 applicants annually with grant requests that range from $2,000 to $750,000. In 2006, Toronto Arts Council funded 208 individual artists and 429 organizations for a total investment of $9.33 million. This year’s granting process was accomplished by a dedicated staff of 12 and over 2000 volunteer hours at a cost of less than 10% of the total funds provided by the City. Arts organizations and artists that received grants in 2006 represent the best of Toronto arts. From the emerging artist to the most established, from celebrated institutions to arts that challenge convention, TAC support reflects the vibrancy and talent in the City of Toronto. Although the City continues to wrestle with budgetary issues, it is important to consider how investments in the cultural sector have had a positive impact on the economy. Toronto is moving towards recognition as a world centre of innovation and creativity with the cultural sector alone providing employment for over 100,000, or over 8% of the workforce. Business for the Arts, in conjunction with McKinsey and company, recently completed a study which clearly demonstrates the economic impact of the public sector investments in the arts. Every $1 of public sector investment increases earned income and incremental tourism across the country by as much as 8 times the public sector investment and more than 80% of this public sector investment returns to the government in the form of taxes. It is clear that increased investments in the cultural sector by the City will attract other investments which will help move the city towards its goal of being a world centre for innovation and creativity and a city with a vibrant economy. The success of the city’s cultural sector and particularly Toronto Arts Council is due in part to the efforts of volunteers. TAC’s volunteer board and committees donate their time and expertise. Two of our volunteer Board members who have provided valuable contributions to the Board for a number of years are now retiring. We want to thank Tina Vanderheyden and Andrew Craig for their contributions and acknowledge that both will be making important contributions to the cultural sector in their years ahead. Other changes to the Toronto Arts Council board include new City Council representation. Joe Mihevc, Adam Giambrone, and former Councillor Sylvia Watson have now retired–all having provided valuable contributions to TAC. We would particularly like to thank Joe Mihevc for this additional time and contributions to the selection committee for our new Director. Councillors who will continue on the board are Norm Kelly and Pam McConnell. They will now be joined by Councillors Adam Vaughan, Mark Grimes and Gordon Perks. The newly nominated and elected board members are Brian Current, Melanie Fernandez and Alice Klein. Each has achieved outstanding recognition for their contribution to the arts in Toronto and we welcome their knowledge and experience and look forward to their contributions to Toronto Arts Council. The City has recently announced that, in recognition of the important role that arts play in the city’s vitality and economy, they will be investing an additional $400,000 in the arts through the Toronto Arts Council. This moves the TAC’s funding closer to the City of Toronto’s 2003 Culture Plan recommendation of an additional $2,000,000 in annual funding. On behalf of all artists and arts organizations we wish to thank City Council for its recognition and support of the arts in Toronto. Don Moffat, FRAIC RCA President Toronto Arts Council click here for stories about a few of the recipients of Toronto Arts Council grants.