World Theatre Day… by the numbers

2015

World Theatre Day is March 27.

Here are some selected facts on assorted topics related to the performing arts in Canada.

(Last updated: March 18, 2015)


Live theatre

  • 393 — The number of theatre companies (excluding musical theatre) in Canada in 2014.
  • 133 — The number of theatre companies (excluding musical theatre) in Quebec in 2014, the highest among the provinces, accounting for 34% of all theatre companies (excluding musical theatre) in Canada.
  • 67 — The number of musical theatre and opera companies in Canada in 2014.
  • 29 — The number of musical theatre and opera companies in Ontario in 2014, the highest among the provinces, accounting for 43% of all musical theatre and opera companies in Canada.
  • 248 — The number of Live theatres and other performing arts presenters with facilities in Canada in 2014.
  • 100 — The number of Live theatres and other performing arts presenters with facilities in Quebec in 2014, the highest among the provinces, accounting for 40% of all Live theatres and other performing arts presenters with facilities in Canada.

Source: CANSIM, table 552-0001.


Get your tickets!

  • +26.5% — The rise in the price index of spectator entertainment (excluding video and audio subscription services) from 2004 to 2014.

Source: CANSIM, table 326-0021.

  • $126 — The average household expenditure on live sporting and performing arts events in 2013, up 38.5% from $91 in 2012.

Source: CANSIM, table 203-0021.


Contributing to Canada's economy

  • $1.8 billion — The gross domestic product (GDP) generated by the performing arts industry in Canada in 2010.
  • 49,000 — The number of jobs generated by the performing arts industry in Canada in 2010.

Source: "Culture Satellite Account, 2010." The Daily, Wednesday, September 10, 2014.

See also: Summary tables, Performing arts, operating statistics, by province and territory; Performing Arts.


The business of performing arts

  • $444.3 million — The operating revenue of theatre companies (excluding musical theatre) in 2012.
  • $461.0 million — The operating expenses of theatre companies (excluding musical theatre) in 2012.
  • -3.7% — The operating loss of theatre companies (excluding musical theatre) in 2012.
  • $147.1 million — The total performance revenue of non-profit theatre companies (excluding musical theatre) in 2012.

Source: Performing Arts, 2012.


All the world’s a stage…

  • 7,805 — The number of actors and comedians in Canada in 2011.
  • 24,355 — The number of authors and writers in Canada in 2011.
  • 21,655 — The number of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations in Canada in 2011.

Source: Occupation – National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011 (691), Class of Worker (5), Age Groups (13B) and Sex (3) for the Employed Labour Force Aged 15 Years and Over, in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2011 National Household Survey.

  • $9,738 — The average annual employment income of actors and comedians in Canada in 2010.
  • $29,794 — The average annual employment income of authors and writers in Canada in 2010.
  • $40,074 — The average annual employment income of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations in Canada in 2010.

Source: Employment Income Statistics in 2010 (7), Sex (3), Work Activity in 2010 (3), Highest Certificate, Diploma or Degree (6) and Occupation - National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011 (693) for the Population Aged 15 Years and Over in Private Households of Canada, Provinces and Territories, 2011 National Household Survey.


Drama, theatre arts and stagecraft

  • 7,101 — The number of postsecondary students enrolled in drama, theatre arts and stagecraft in 2012/2013.
  • 4% — The share of postsecondary students enrolled in drama, theatre arts and stagecraft in 2012/2013 who were international students. This compares with nearly 20% of postsecondary students enrolled in mathematics, computer and information sciences in 2012/2013.

Source: Custom tabulation provided by Tourism and Centre for Education Statistics Division, Statistics Canada.

  • $5,287 — The average university tuition fee of full-time undergraduate students enrolled in visual and performing arts and communications technologies in 2014/2015.

Source: CANSIM, table 477-0021.

  • 2.9% — The proportion of university degrees held by adults aged 25 to 64 in visual and performing arts.

Source: 2011 National Household Survey, Education in Canada: Attainment, Field of Study and Location of Study.


Looking the part

  • $1.1 billion — The value of cosmetics and fragrances sold at large retailers in Canada in 2014.
  • $66.6 million — The import value of artists', writing and similar brushes for the application of cosmetics in 2014.
  • $40.7 million — The import value of wigs, false beards and eyelashes, and others, of human or animal hair or of textile materials in 2014. China was the source country for just over two-thirds of these imports.

Sources: CANSIM, table 080-0009; Canadian International Merchandise Trade Database.


For more information about this page or for help finding more data, contact Media Relations.

See features on many other subjects in By the numbers.