Toronto is home to Canada’s largest and most diverse creative cultural economy, with a strong reputation for developing artists who go on to global fame. Sixty-six per cent more artists live in Toronto than in any other Canadian city and contribute to a rich interdisciplinary cultural sector.

Toronto’s reputation as a film production powerhouse and its well-established vibrant music scene makes it the third-largest centre in North America alongside Los Angeles and New York City for both the film and music industries.The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has become the launching pad for the best of international, Hollywood and Canadian cinema, and is recognized as the most important film festival after Cannes.

The Province of Ontario offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of tax incentives for film and television production and digital media and has established an annual $15 million Ontario Music Fund, which reflects the importance of the creative sector to the economy.

Key Industry Sectors

Toronto is one of the world’s leading centres of design offering the ideal balance of design skills, innovative thinking and marketing acumen fostered by North America’s third-largest design workforce. Designers work in almost every sector of the economy, with the highest proportion of designers working in professional, scientific, and technical services (52%), followed by manufacturing (21%), information and cultural industries (7%), and retail trade (6%). DIAC Design Matters 2004

Fueled by acclaimed designers, trendsetting retailers and cost-efficient manufacturers, Toronto’s fast-moving fashion cluster has helped increase Canadian apparel exports to the U.S. significantly. Toronto is also home to many of the top fashion education programs in Canada, producing graduates with specializations in design, production, communications and international business management. Graduates work in fashion and retail, as well as consumer products, pr & marketing, event management, etc. Toronto schools offering fashion programs include: Ryerson School of Fashion; George Brown College; Seneca College; Humber College; Centennial College; OCAD: and Toronto Film School.

Thanks to a wealth of experienced creative and technical talent and competitive tax credits, Toronto is one of North America’s leading centres of film and television production. Music is a vital part of Toronto’s identity. Our city is the largest centre of music in Canada and one of the most varied and vibrant music cities in the world.

Facts & Figures

Arts and culture contribute $11.3 billion annually to Toronto’s GDP and employ 174,000 people
–Toronto Arts Council, Toronto Arts Facts 2016

$1.96 billion was spent on film and television productions shot in Toronto in 2018
City of Toronto, 2018