The arts are an integral part of our everyday lives, an essential and inseparable component of culture. Through its arts a society refines and develops its culture by creating new cultural products and expressions. Participation in the arts leads to healthy, stable individuals and helps promote the social and economic well being of communities. The arts contribute to the development of our cultural industries through the creation of film, sound recording, theatre and books. The arts also contribute to our heritage by leaving a legacy of our culture through paintings, crafts, design and art works.

The provincial government has a continued commitment to promote access to, encourage and support the arts.

The government promotes and protects the arts by providing support to a number of agencies.

Through the activities of the Ontario Arts Council, the Ministry has committed $39.9 million annually to support the creation and presentation of new artistic works by talented individuals and arts organizations in every region of the province, to enhance students' success through arts education programs, to advance economic success and social cohesion, and to enrich the cultural identity of Ontario.

The Ministry encourages arts organizations to become more financially self-reliant by providing information and expert advice on issues such as voluntarism.