CanadaHelps released the findings from the latest Ipsos poll, which found that Canadians who engage in arts and culture activities at least two to three times a month are more likely to personally embrace cultural diversity (78%) compared to Canadians who never engage in arts and culture activities (44%). For the purposes of this study, arts and culture activities are defined as visiting museums or art galleries, attending concerts, watching dance performances, attending film festivals, and more.

The poll also revealed that Canadians who frequently engage with arts and culture organizations experience better mental health compared to Canadians who never engage. According to the study, 42% of Canadians who participate in arts and culture activities once a week report that their mental health is excellent or very good, while 46% of Canadians who engage in arts and culture activities two to three times a month report having excellent or very good mental health. Of those Canadians who never engage with arts and culture, 35% report their mental health being excellent or very good.

According to CanadaHelps, only 6% of Canadians prioritize arts and culture charities as important causes to support – while support for mental health and research ranked the highest (39%), followed by animal welfare and animal rights (32%), climate change/environmental protection (31%), poverty in Canada (31%), and medical research/treatment (30%).

For further information about the research or to access the findings, click here.