The results are in for the first-ever arts census conducted last summer in Brantford and Brant County.
Researchers with Arts Ecology Brantford/Brant, an applied research collective mandated to develop the arts in the area. compiled responses from local artists, creative practitioners and groups, institutions and industries.
“We are facing both a bright and challenging future for the arts in Brantford/Brant,” principal researcher Wiktor Kulinski wrote in the report. “Decades of work have been invested in developing the arts in this region, and we are excited to work alongside others who realize that we are at the precipice of an exciting new reality.”
Kulinski noted that, with an influx of new citizens and the proposed development of a mid-sized performance space, the area is undergoing a renaissance in arts and creativity.
Of the 70 respondents to the census’s long-form survey, the majority were Caucasian females from the baby boomer generation with a bachelor’s degree and residing in Brantford and Brant.
Painters were the highest number represented, followed by producer/director/technicians, graphic/print/digital artists, and other visual artists who currently have an active artistic or creative practice.
According to the census, earning power appears dismal, with 49 per cent of respondents indicating they are underpaid or unpaid, while 71 per cent volunteer in the arts in some capacity.
“Feel like I am ‘bargained’ down on commissions and work sales, but know I am charging less than standard rates for the work I’m doing,” said one census participant.
“Nobody wants to pay for gigs and, if they do, it’s peanuts,” replied another. “The volunteer gigs say they are going to get you something else and don’t come through.”
Only 14 per cent of respondents said they feel that the arts are not well represented locally, while a mere six per cent think the arts are marketed successfully.
Three-quarters believe more space is needed for creative and artistic space, while 90 per cent said an arts council is needed.
“Having an arts council would provide artists with the opportunity to apply for financial resources to expand their practice,” said one survey participant.
Another stated that an arts council would be able to access more funding on a national and provincial level, or from foundations, corporate sponsors or private donors. “Our inaction is costing the local arts community countless dollars, money that is instead going to arts organizations in other communities.”
In compiling responses, the researchers identified three principal threads: vision, communication and cohesion, and leadership/arts council.
“A stronger vision that outlines an ideal future for the arts in Brantford/Brant and which outlines actionable short-term and long-term goals,” wrote Kulinski. “This vision must be democratically imagined, actionable and reasonable, focused on growth, development, and innovation, and regularly reviewed or revised.”
He said improving communication between artists and the community would bolster cohesion, resulting in a tighter collective that seeks to support, pursue and realize a shared vision.
An arts council with knowledge, resources and vision, said the researchers, would achieve the vision of the creative community it would be serving.
“This leadership would realize a mandate to improve the arts, act as shepherds to guide our collective action towards realizing that mandate, and work to secure the necessary resources, both financially and operationally,” wrote Kulinski.
The public is invited to attend a presentation and roundtable brainstorming session about the census findings on Jan. 6 at 7:30 pm at the Coach House at Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant, 20 Ava Rd., Brantford.
To view the report, visit: artsecology.ca/arts-census/