January 24, 2017
Australians are very fond of the arts, with four in five of us consuming it and more than one in five producing it every year.
Roughly 83 per cent of us attended arts or cultural venues or events in 2013-14 and more than one in five of us took part in arts-related activities, according to a new study released by the Australia Council For The Arts (ACTA) on Monday.
ACTA commissioned the Australian Bureau of Statistics to prepare data on arts attendances and arts participation using the latest data (2013-14) and smallest geographical area, Statistical Area Level 4, to profile how people engage with the arts.
Tony Grybowski, ACTA Chief Executive, said the most recent 2013-14 Local Region Arts Engagement data can compare areas at a regional level across Australia.
“By analysing the ABS data, the new Australia Council online interactive dashboard can reveal museum attendances in Hobart compared to Townsville, or if more people are engaged in creating visual arts in Geelong compared to Darwin,” Mr Grybowski said.
“This type of information can be used to better inform and understand how people engage with the arts in their local communities, which is invaluable for all levels of government, locally-based artists and arts organisations, touring programs and businesses operating in the sector.”
The data showed that nation-wide, 27 per cent of us attend art galleries, 35 per cent use public libraries and 28 per cent of us visit museums in any 12 month period.
And in a world of DVDs and streaming movie services, a surprising 66 per cent of us still go to the movies at least once a year to take in the latest blockbuster, while 42 per cent of us go to festivals, concerts or even just down to the local club or pub to hear live music.
When it comes to creating art, 18 per cent of us are involved in crafts and/or art activities like painting, drawing, sculpting, printmaking or photography; and another 15 per cent are involved in writing and/or performing arts such as dancing, theatre and music.
The figures support local, State and Federal government investment in running libraries and art galleries and providing assistance to community arts groups, ACTA says.
- External link: Australia Council For The Arts
