PEI

New cultural centre recommended for P.E.I. arts industry

Prince Edward Island should establish an Island arts and innovation centre to serve as a focal point for cultural workers and encourage collaboration, a new report on the industry recommends.

Arts centre would be focus for professional development activities, exhibitions, and other events

Kristian Roberts, chief economist for Nordicity, presents the company's report on P.E.I.'s cultural sector. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC)

Prince Edward Island should establish an Island arts and innovation centre to serve as a focal point for cultural workers and encourage collaboration, a new report on the industry recommends.

The labour survey was commissioned by Culture PEI, and written by the consultant Nordicity.

Nordicity reviewed seven different sectors of the industry.

  • Museums & Heritage and Libraries & Archives.
  • Visual Arts and Crafts.
  • Theatre, Dance and Multi-use Venues & Facilities.
  • Music & Sound Recording.
  • Film & Television.
  • Interactive Media.
  • Writing & Publishing.

With detailed analysis of opportunities and challenges outlined in a 74-page report.

Nordicity also had a number of recommendations for the industry as a whole, including improving regional integration, and establishing a new arts and innovation centre.

"This initiative would provide a physical space at which professional development activities, exhibitions, and other events could be held," the report says.

The report also praised the Island music industry's trade showcases, and suggested they could be expanded to other sectors.

The Island’s culture sector employs approximately 2,000 people, the report says, which accounts for nearly 2.5% of P.E.I.'s overall workforce.