Just Released: Operating Grant Economic Impact Report

Just Released: Operating Grant Economic Impact Report

In 2025, Calgary Arts Development contracted Root Economy, an independent economic consulting firm based in Calgary, Alberta to conduct an independent economic impact assessment of Calgary arts organizations that receive Calgary Arts Development operating grant funding. The assessment measured recurring economic impacts resulting from the collective operating expenditures of 193 operating grant recipients.

The 2023 report is an update to the 2018 and 2020 Operating Grant Program economic impact assessments.

This study continues to focus on quantifying four specific dimensions of economic impact: value-added GDP, labour income, employment and government revenue.

The findings show that Calgary’s funded arts organizations generated significant economic value, largely through their expenditures on labour, goods and services. Despite ongoing challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector demonstrated resilience, with many organizations prioritizing wages and employment.

Learn more and download the full report here.

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