The Fine arts, both visual and performing, are thriving in Canada. The largest cultural centers, as expected, are in the most densely populated areas. Painting, sculpture, music, dance, theater, photography, and many other educational and esthetic arts are finding expression in galleries and on stages across Canada. Even the smallest of towns are likely to have municipal bands, amateur theatres and ballet recitals. Artistic endeavours are supported by the general population with enthusiasm, and more practically by revenue from attendance to cultural events, and by philanthropic donations. They are also supported by the government with grants and stipends for their development and display.
Cultural centers
Cultural centers are places where the various arts come together and are celebrated, taught, and developed. Larger cities, thanks to accessibility and dense populations, are home to dedicated institutions that house multiple disciplines with schools for the different arts and performing arts centers to bring their arts to the public. Smaller cities without cultural centers will have smaller, more individualized organizations for the arts. There is a deep desire on the part of the art patrons to bring the discipline and enjoyment of the arts to all citizens, regardless of scale.
Music
Music is one of the more prominent types of performing arts, and genres can range from the current pop artists to the masters of classical music. The versatility of music and its use in tandem with other arts increases the scope of its aesthetic function. In musical theater, music is combined with theater arts, and in dance, with dance arts.
Well-known musicians from Canada's past include the country singer Hank Snow, pop singer Paul Anka, and jazz artists Oscar Peterson and Maynard Ferguson. Celine Dion and Shania Twain are two of Canada's most popular current musical stars. The two major classical music orchestras in Canada are the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, although there are numerous others.
Dance
The major dance companies in Canada include the National Ballet based in Toronto, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alberta Ballet, and Ballet British Columbia. The National Ballet is the largest, while the Royal Winnipeg Ballet is the oldest. Classical ballet is still a very popular form of dance, but these and other companies perform more contemporary dance as well.
Opera
The Canadian Opera Company is located in Toronto, and is the largest opera company in Canada. They offer seven major performances each year as well as many free concerts. Affiliated with the Canadian Opera Company is the Canadian Children's Opera Company which promotes performances by children and is dedicated to developing operas for children.
The Canada Council for the Arts was founded in 1957 by act of Parliament to promote and support the arts. Financial awards to various disciplines have made it possible for companies to expand and become more visible to the public. Its six divisions of visual arts, dance, music, theater, writing, and media arts have been highly instrumental in bringing the arts to the Canadian people