Measuring the Economic and Community Impact of Performing Arts Groups

CMHC-Granville Island, Vancouver Fringe Festival, and The Cultch ( Vancouver East Cultural Centre) partnered with LOCO BC to measure the economic and community impact of performing arts organizations in Vancouver. We'd like to share the findings with our peers:

• Up to $9.5M in economic output in one season

• $5 in provincial economic output for every $1 ticket sold

• Every $1 of grant revenue generates 4–10× in economic output

• Up to 97% of spending recirculates within B.C. / Canada

• Up to $3.9M in net-new patron spending in surrounding neighbourhoods per season

• 99% of patrons agree government support of the arts is important

We treated this as a pilot — if you'd like to measure your own impact, we'd welcome your input on the next steps we can take together to make it happen. Our goal is to collaborate on an open-source toolkit other organizations can adapt.

Please RSVP by November 18, 2026, if you can attend.