At the top of the webinar, Nik Nanos presented the latest findings from the Arts Response Tracking Survey (ARTS), offering new insights into participation, audience motivations, and perceptions of arts and culture events across Canada.

This session explored how factors such as distance, accessibility, ticket pricing, safety, cancellations and overall value shape cultural participation, with seasoned arts leaders sharing what they’ve seen in their own communities. Together, we considered how organizations are responding and creating experiences that give people a reason to show up, participate and come back.

Moderator:

• Aubrey Reeves, President & CEO, Business / Arts

Speakers:

• Angela Birdsell, CEO, WSO and Pantages
• Estelle Shook, Artistic and Managing Director, Caravan Farm Theatre
• Matthew Hills, Executive Director, Thunder Bay Art Gallery
• Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist & Founder, Nanos Research

Read the September 2026 Arts Response Tracking Survey

Access previous editions of ARTS

Additional Links & Resources

• AccessManitoba
• Concerts in Care
• Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification
• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
• Thunder Bay Art Gallery Waterfront Space
• Winnipeg Performing Arts Wayfinder Program
• WSO Relaxed Experiences

What is ARTS? 

ARTS is a partnership between Business / Arts, the National Arts Centre, and Nanos Research that conducts quarterly surveys of over 1000 Canadian culture-goers. Since its launch in May 2020, ARTS has offered valuable insights into audience behaviours and trends. With each quarter touching on a specific topic area, winter focuses on marketing, spring on sales, summer on public perceptions and engagement, and fall on fundraising. Read more.