The Big Story

Culture Cancelled: Are Canada's festivals destined to disappear?

Mar 12, 2024

Exploring the financial challenges facing major Canadian festivals, such as Just for Laughs and Hot Docs. Discussing the impact of decreased government support and changing consumer habits on the survival of arts festivals. Analyzing the potential loss of long-standing Canadian festivals and the implications for the cultural sector.

20:06

Creator website

Episode guests

Joshua Chong

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Major Canadian festivals face financial crises, potentially leading to their disappearance and impacting the cultural landscape.

Arts festivals struggle post-pandemic due to reduced funding, attendance, and changing consumer behaviors, threatening their sustainability.

Deep dives

Impact of Festival Cancellations

With the cancellation of major comedy festivals like Just for Laughs in Toronto and Montreal due to bankruptcy protection filings, the future of renowned festivals is in jeopardy. These festivals, essential in launching the careers of notable comedians, attract massive audiences and serve as economic engines for their cities. The financial struggles faced by festival organizers raise concerns about opportunities for emerging talents and the broader cultural and economic consequences of these cancellations.

Introduction

3min

Crisis in Canadian Arts Festivals

6min

Evolution of Festival Funding and the Challenge of Corporate Sponsorship

2min

Analysis of the Impact of Government Support on Cultural Sector Amid COVID-19 Effects

2min

Uncertain Future of Arts Festivals in Canada

6min

Last week, Juste Pour Rire announced that it would not hold Just For Laughs festivals in Montreal and Toronto in 2024, and that it was entering creditor protection. Toronto has already seen the cancellation of its Taste of The Danforth food festival, as well as scaled down versions of the Fringe and Luminato festivals. Hot Docs is struggling to survive and other major festivals like Shaw are facing record deficits.

Meanwhile, government help for arts institutions during the pandemic era is all but gone, while crowds have still not returned to their pre-pandemic levels. What's happening? Could it be the end of many long-running Canadian festivals? And what will we lose if it is?

GUEST: Joshua Chong, culture reporter and arts critic, the Toronto Star

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