Silencing in the Arts 🤫

Survey Data

Below is a list of statistics from the national survey, of which 46 people from across Canada responded. 


SURVEY DATA:



Demographics:

  • Role with the institution: arts worker (39); artist (5); board member (2)
  • Career level: emerging (17); mid-career (10); established (17); moved between levels (2)
  • Institution province or territory: BC (6); AB (2); SK (1); MB (1); ON (31); QC (1); PEI (1); NB (1); NS (1); NL (1)
  • Gender: woman (33); man (6); non-binary (6); prefer not to say (1)
  • Race: Black, Indigenous, or person of colour (13); white (32); prefer not to say (1)
  • 14 respondents identify as 2SLGBTQIA+
  • 12 respondents identify as a deaf person, person with a disability, and/or person living with mental illness


Key statistics:

  • Over 65% of respondents ended up signing the NDA they were issued
  • Over 52% of respondents did not feel they had adequate time or information to consider options before signing the NDA

  • Over 23% of respondents left the arts sector after their experience

Top circumstances leading up to the institution issuing an NDA:

  • Board or leadership mismanagement or incompetency (58.7%)
  • Internal conflict between leadership and staff (50%)
  • Discrimination and/or any other form of oppression (39.1%)
  • Internal reorganization or restructuring (39.1%)
  • Violence and/or harassment (34.8%)
Aspects of respondents’ lives impacted by their experience:

  • Mental health (76.7%)
  • Professional relationships (67.4%)
  • Financial stability (55.8%)
  • Professional opportunities (55.8%)
  • Sense of community (48.8%)
  • Personal relationships (44.2%)
Silencing in the Arts is a research project that traces the extent and impact of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) on the Canadian visual arts sector. The project aims to shed light on the culture of silence that permeates the artworld, and the cycles of abuse, professional misconduct, and censorship that are perpetuated as a result.

A Project by Aisle 4

Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts Sector Innovation & Development Program

"Shhh" drawings by anonymous artists
Website Design & Development by Studio Whyte-Gray, 2025.