FENTSTER

SHVILIM heard from 171 senior leaders of arts organizations, reflecting diverse artistic disciplines, with a representative number of responses from every scale of organization (according to operating budget). OAC supports approximately 550 arts organizations through annual and multi-year operating support, and approximately 450 through project support. And so, we estimate responses to the SHVILIM survey were representative of roughly 15% of arts organizations across the province.

Nearly 300 individuals completed the separate questionnaire specifically for Jews in the arts, sharing their experiences in the sector. 

The survey was open to all arts organizations, associations, and collectives, whether or not they receive funding from the OAC. The survey and questionnaire were primarily distributed through OAC’s e-newsletters as well as email and social media outreach from the OAC, FENTSTER, No Silence on Race, Shoreline Collaboratives and SHVILIM advisors. 

Participation in the survey and questionnaire was anonymous with an option for participants to self-identify, if desired for follow up. SHVILIM is the steward of the survey and questionnaire data. Only a few members of the SHVILIM team are able to view the individual responses or any identifying information about respondents. The OAC received a presentation informed by the surveys that shared general themes and anonymous, aggregate learnings. 

We were made aware that there were members of the Ontario arts community that did not feel comfortable sharing their perspectives regardless of the context of anonymity, given the often challenging climate that permeates this work and the current moment. This likely limited the full breadth of SHVILIM’s learnings about the needs and challenges before the arts sector at this time.