AUDIENCE GROWTH
Opera audiences in North America have increased almost 30% since 1980. Opera's share of the total arts audience grew by 12.5% since 1982, more than any other art form. 
(Source: National Endowment for the Arts.) 

AUDIENCE DEMOGRAPHICS
The total audience of Opera Mississauga is young: 
50% under the age of 45 and 70% were under the age of 55.
(Source: Opera Mississauga Business Plan 2001-2004, March 2001)

Between 1982 and 1992, the number of 18- to 24-year-olds attending opera performances increased by 18%. Nearly a third (31.6%) of the opera audience is under the age of 35 years old. In comparison with other arts-goers, opera attendees are wealthier, somewhat older, the most highly educated, and tend to reside in the suburbs. Opera tends to attract slightly more women than men (58% to 42%). 
(Source: National Endowment for the Arts.) 

NUMBER OF COMPANIES
Opera Mississauga is one of 16 professional companies in 5 Canadian provinces. 
(Source: Opera America.)

ATTENDANCE
In 1997, 9.2 million adults (4.7% of the adult population) attended at least one opera performance. Total attendance at all North American opera performances and presentations reached 16.5 million. 
(Source: National Endowment for the Arts.) 

NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES
In 1996-97, there were 2,397 performances of 456 fully-staged main season and festival productions. 
(Source: Opera America.) 

ECONOMIC IMPACT
In FY 96, OPERA America companies in North America directly added well over half a billion US dollars to the U.S. and Canadian economies, up 13.6%% from the prior year. 
(Source: Opera America.) 

BOX OFFICE INCOME
Box office income represents 41% of total income for all companies. 
(Source: Opera America.) 

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTED INCOME
Individual giving accounted for 54% of all private grants and gifts. 
(Source: Opera America.)