Canada's performing arts sector ravaged by COVID-19 shutdowns: Statistics Canada

People wait in line for the Gordon Lightfoot concert at the newly re-opened Massey Hall in Toronto, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

TORONTO -

Widespread capacity limits, venue closures and other government-mandated COVID-19 safety measures left Canada's performing arts sector facing a major financial downfall in 2020.

A report this week from Statistics Canada says efforts to prevent the spread of the virus during the first year of the pandemic drove revenues to their lowest level since the federal agency began tracking the data in 2014.

Overall, the performing arts industry's operating revenues plummeted 31 per cent to $1.8 billion from $2.6 billion in 2018 when the figures were last available.

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The hardest hit were for-profit performing arts companies which saw operating revenues tumble 40 per cent to $942 million as international tourism effectively stopped and fewer Canadians visited cities with theatre hubs.

Organizations in Quebec were hit with the biggest revenue declines, followed by Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, with all four provinces comprising nearly 95 per cent of the industry's revenues.

Non-profit companies also faced financial setbacks, though the report noted that impact was softened by support from government grants and subsidies.

Their revenues dropped $166.3 million, mostly due to evaporating single ticket sales, which were down $113.7 million. Subscription sales fell $31 million.

At the same time, those non-profits became more reliant on fundraising, subsidies and corporate sponsorship, which provided 62 per cent of operating revenue compared to 46 per cent in 2018, according to the data, released Monday.

With fewer ticket buyers showing up for live performances, some companies began live streaming events, and that helped bolster e-commerce sales, which accounted for nearly 24 per cent of all sales revenues.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2022.