In July 2023, Figurative’s Fran Sanderson and Seva Phillips were commissioned by the Metcalf Foundation and Canada Council for the Arts to visit the beautiful Massey College in Toronto and share their experience of bringing impact investment to the creative and cultural sectors.
During an exploratory two-day summit co-designed by Metcalf and Figurative, Fran and Seva shared insights and case studies from Arts & Culture Finance (now part of Figurative) to an audience of public funders, impact investors, philanthropists, academics and cultural and creative practitioners.
Through facilitated discussion, the select group of participants explored the feasibility of a pilot impact investment fund for the Canadian cultural sector, leading to much enthusiasm for a further exploratory initiative.
Following the summit, Metcalf Foundation, in collaboration with the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts, has commissioned a feasibility study to assess the funding gap, supply and demand for investment capital as well as a blueprint for implementation for a pilot initiative in Canada.
