Government of Canada Survey of Heritage Institutions: 2015

Canadian Conservation Institute, Heritage Policy and Programs Directorate, and Canadian Heritage Information Network

From the report's "Introduction"

"The Department of Canadian Heritage is pleased to present the second iteration of the Government of Canada Survey of Heritage Institutions. The 2015 survey captured financial and operating data on not-for-profit heritage institutions in Canada for the 2013 data year.

The survey captured data from 1622 heritage institutions, which is approximately 62.5% of the entire not-for-profit heritage sector (including 83% of the largest institutions with operating budgets of $1 million or more), it is by far the highest sample size to be measured in more than a decade. The extensive amount of data received has allowed the Department to obtain a better and more detailed understanding of the sector.

The 2015 Government of Canada Survey of Heritage Institutions has captured more comprehensive data than in 2013 (2011 data). This year’s survey report includes greater detail on the types of artefacts/objects held. It also includes data on digitization of records, artefacts/objects and their online accessibility."

From the report's "Highlights"

"Total revenue for heritage institutions in Canada reached a record $2.12 billion in 2013, an increase of approximately 2.9% from 2011 ($2.06 billion).

The three provinces that accounted for most of the sector’s revenues were Ontario 41%, Quebec 26.4% and Alberta 10.1%. Museums generated most of the revenue in the heritage sector, contributing approximately 42.9% of total revenues, followed by art galleries (20.7%), archives (16.1%), zoos & botanical gardens (14.4%) and historic sites (5.8%).

In 2013, unearned revenue accounted for $1.34 billion (63.6%) of total revenue for all heritage institutions, this is a slight drop from 2011 where unearned revenues accounted for $1.35 billion (65.6%) of the total revenue. Combined, all three levels of government contributed approximately $1.05 billion, making up 77.6% of unearned revenues for all heritage institutions in 2013, followed by donations at 20.8%, and interest & investments at 2.5%.

Heritage institutions reported earned revenues of nearly $773 million in 2013. This is an increase of $63.2 million (8.9%) from the 2011 figures. The majority of earned revenues are derived from sales of goods and services, which includes over-the-counter sales in gift shops, cafeterias, and other outlets; those sales accounted for 29.4% of all earned revenues, followed by admission fees at 24.9%.

Roughly 49.8% of heritage institutions charged admissions fees in 2013; a slight increase from the 48% that charged admission in 2011. The average admission fee for an adult also increased from $7.60 in 2011 to $9.82 in 2013.

Overall, heritage sector operating costs in 2013 rose by 3.8% from 2011. Compensation and wages for all heritage institutions also increased in 2013 by approximately 6.9%. Compensation and wages represent 42.5% of the sector’s operating costs, a slight increase of 1.2% compared to 2011 (41.3%). The data on compensation and wages does not include services rendered by volunteers.

Heritage institutions posted a revenue over expenditure of 3.7% in 2013, which fell from 4.5% in 2011."