Montreal's cultural sector plays a vital role in Quebec's economy and society.

With considerable economic benefits and a high number of jobs, it is a development engine. Culture also promotes social well-being, inclusion, and cohesion, making Montreal a recognized hub of knowledge and creativity.

The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal has highlighted the immense contribution of culture to Quebec's economy.

 In 2019, the sector represented 15 billion dollars of our GDP, supporting nearly 160,000 jobs. More broadly, for the whole of Quebec, the share of culture in the GDP reached 3.4% in 2022, or nearly 17.4 billion dollars.

It should be noted that Quebec stands out in Canada: culture represents a 55% larger share of GDP and a 20% larger share of the workforce than in the rest of the country.

Each dollar of GDP generated by culture adds up to $0.90 in the rest of the economy.

The Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) plays a crucial supporting role.

For example, in 2024, it provided support of $11,055,500 to 297 artistic organizations.

In 2023, CAM's overall budget was $24.68 million, an investment that benefits international projects as well as local initiatives.

The annual expenses of organizations supported by CAM have increased by nearly 30% on average per year since 2018.

Beyond the appreciation of the arts, data from its most recent survey reveals strong support for their funding.

"Thus, 57% of Montrealers believe that it is primarily the responsibility of the municipality and artists to keep the arts alive in Montreal, ahead of any other public body.

80% want the City to finance the operation of artistic organizations more, and 74% believe that this funding should be among the municipal priorities.

This desire to see support for the arts grow extends to other actors:

 77% of respondents believe that support for the arts in Montreal should be a priority for the business community, and 70% think that Montrealers should participate in funding the arts by making donations.

The message is unequivocal: Montrealers want a collective commitment, with a leading role attributed to the City and artists.

A Strong Attachment to the Arts and Artists

Montrealers place great importance on the arts and their role in the city.

 Indeed, 86% recognize that professional artists add value to society.

The most frequently mentioned reasons: the arts attract tourists, highlight the city's cultural diversity, make it more beautiful, improve its economy, create jobs, and enhance social cohesion.

Moreover, the arts are perceived as having a concrete impact on daily life:

80% of respondents believe that the arts improve their quality of life, and 87% appreciate having access to artistic offerings near their homes.

Attendance at the Arts: Other Highlights

55% of Montrealers attend the arts as much or more than five years ago.

A positive note as the interest in culture among young people is often questioned: 46% of 18-34-year-olds attend the arts a little more or much more often than five years ago compared to 24% for the entire population.

However, 34% of the population attend the arts less often than five years ago, a percentage that rises to 46% among those aged 55 and over.

But it is not for lack of interest, as it is the unfavorable economic context that hinders attendance at artistic activities.

The rise in the cost of living in general (29%) and the rise in the cost of activities (14%) are the two main reasons mentioned for those who attend the arts less than five years ago.

That being said, the population wants to participate in cultural events:

40% of Montrealers buy tickets at least once every three or four months, while 53% attend free events at the same frequency.''

Beyond the economic benefits, the cultural sector has a profound social impact.

Artistic projects aim to counter discrimination, promote civic engagement, and strengthen community ties.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, for example, uses donations to develop education and art therapy programs, making art accessible to as many people as possible.

Montreal artists, 55% of whom hold a bachelor's degree or higher (a higher percentage than the overall Montreal workforce), are at the heart of this dynamic.

However, the sector faces significant challenges, including the post-pandemic funding crisis and rising production costs.

Despite these difficulties, initiatives such as the CALQ and CAM Territorial Partnership Program, with an investment of $1.475 million over three years, aim to support eco-responsible projects and strengthen the artistic vitality of the island.

Preserving culture is also an investment in urban development and the well-being of the population, making the arts a true "raison d'être" for the metropolis.