Kelowna ranks second in country in Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Arts Vibrancy Index

When most people think about art, they think about the way it shapes and is shaped by culture, how it gives a city its character and weaves through our daily lives.

Whether it soundtracks our mornings, warms our hands as we sip out of handcrafted mugs, beautifies and functionalizes the spaces we gather, or helps us unwind from the day with stories on screen, paper or stage. Art touches our lives from dawn to dusk.

Pictured: Ponderosa Fibre Arts Guild

“Art is the heartbeat of a community. It brings people together, cultivates belonging and fills our shared spaces with life,” said Sara Thirnbeck, Community Development Coordinator, City of Kelowna. “City investment in the arts delivers both cultural and economic benefits. Because the undeniable truth is that the arts are an economic powerhouse, fueling local businesses, creating jobs and driving prosperity.”

That impact is measurable. Kelowna ranked second in Canada in the 2026 Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Business for the Arts’ Arts Vibrancy Index, a measure of the economic impact of arts and creative industries on communities. The result mirrors the findings of the City’s Creative Sector Economic Impact Assessment and places Kelowna just behind Victoria and ahead of major cultural centres including Quebec City and Vancouver.

The city’s creative sector contributes a total economic output of $579.6 million and supports more than 3,500 full‑time equivalent jobs. Behind those numbers are people working as makers, performers, designers, producers, technicians and educators, many of whom operate as small business owners or independent contractors.

“Kelowna’s second place ranking affirms what the local business community already knows: the creative sector is thriving, with cascading benefits across the economy,” said Derek Gratz, President, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. “Those benefits show up in full restaurants and coffee shops before and after performances, increased visitor activity, stronger demand for local suppliers, and more vibrant neighbourhoods and community spaces.”

Pictured: Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmakers Okanagan Screen Awards

Together, those ripple effects reflect a creative sector that is deeply embedded in Kelowna’s economy. Arts and creative industries generate activity across tourism, hospitality, retail, manufacturing and education, while supporting a workforce made up largely of small businesses, freelancers and independent creators. The result is a sector that not only enriches cultural life, but also strengthens the local economy through steady employment, visitor spending and year-round economic activity.

“Kelowna’s recognition as one of Canada’s most vibrant arts communities reflects the extraordinary collaboration between artists, cultural organizations, businesses, and civic leaders who believe that creativity is essential to a thriving city,” said Colleen Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Rotary Centre for the Arts. “At the Rotary Centre for the Arts, we see every day how the arts bring people together, inspire innovation, and strengthen our local economy. This national recognition affirms the value of continued investment in arts and culture as a cornerstone of Kelowna’s identity and future.”

Pictured: Ballet Kelowna Le Carnaval des Animaux

In Kelowna, arts and culture are supported through the City’s Cultural Plan, which guides how the City invests in, partners with and supports the creative sector. The plan helps shape decisions around funding, programs and cultural spaces, and is currently being updated with community input to inform the next phase of cultural development. In the coming months a Cultural Plan report card will also be published to show progress on outcomes outlined in the 2020 – 2025 plan.  

Kelowna’s second‑place ranking in the Arts Vibrancy Index reflects a flourishing arts culture with broad cultural and economic impact. That strength is sustained by the many people who create, support and champion the arts across the community, alongside a shared commitment to fostering creativity. Together, those efforts enrich cultural life and generate lasting benefits for Kelowna’s local economy.