KEY FINDINGS
Combined data from the 2007 and 2008 Scottish Household Survey, Culture (and Sport) module, has been captured through a representative, random sample survey of c6,800 adults (aged 16 years and over) in Scotland. This data has been analysed and is presented in this report. The survey asked questions on the extent of cultural participation, attendance, and reasons why people do or do not take part. The questionnaire also explored exposure to cultural activities when growing up, use of the internet to access cultural websites, and volunteering (in general) and for culture and arts organisations.
Overall, 91% of respondents took part in at least one cultural activity or attended at least one cultural event or place in the previous 12 months.
Key findings from each of the chapters contained in this report are as follows:
Cultural Participation
- 78% of adults took part in some kind of cultural activity 'in the last 12 months'
- Reading and buying books was the most common activity (69%), followed by any type of performance (21%), craft work (19%), purchasing cultural items (16%), and visual arts (15%)
- 27% of adults read or bought Scottish books
- Women were more likely to participate in some form of cultural activity than men (82% v 72%)
- Participation was highest amongst the youngest age group of 16-24 years (83%) and lowest amongst the oldest age group of 75+ years (71%)
- Those living in the least deprived areas were much more likely to participate in cultural activities (87%) than those living in the most deprived areas (67%)
- Those on the highest incomes of over £36,000 were much more likely to participate overall (87%) whilst those on incomes of between £5,200 and £10,399 were least likely to participate (73%)
- People with a longstanding illness or disability were less likely than those without to take part in a cultural activity (72% v 80%)
- Those with a degree or professional qualification were most likely to participate in at least one cultural activity (91%) compared with only 59% of those with no qualifications
- Differences in cultural participation are relatively small in the urban/rural classification; however, those from remote rural areas were most likely to participate overall (81%), whilst those from large towns and from small accessible towns were the least likely to participate (75% and 77% respectively)
- The main reasons people participated in cultural activities were for enjoyment (57%), relaxation (25%), and to learn or develop skills (20%)
- 40% of those who took part in cultural activities said they would like to do so more often, and having more time was the most common factor that would encourage them to do so (70%)
- The main reasons given as to why people did not participate in cultural activities were that they were not interested (48%), it was difficult to find the time (22%), their health was not good enough (13%) and that it had never occurred to them (11%)
Cultural Attendance
- 75% of adults attended a cultural event or place in Scotland 'in the last 12 months'
- Cinema was the most popular event to attend (55%), followed by a theatre event such as musical or pantomime (25%), an arts exhibition (24%), a live music event (23%), and a play or drama (20%)
- Cinema was also the most frequently attended event, with 25% of cinema goers attending at least once per month
- Females were more likely than males to attend at least one cultural event (77% v 72%)
- Those living in the least deprived areas were much more likely to attend cultural events than those living in the most deprived areas (87% v 62%)
- Those with a disability or longstanding illness were much less likely than those without to attend at least one cultural event (57% v 81%)
- Those on incomes over £36,400 were most likely to attend a cultural event (90%), whilst those on an income of between £10,400 and £15,599 were least likely (64%)
- Those with access to a car were more likely to attend cultural events than those without access to a car (79% v 60%).
- Those with the highest qualifications were much more likely to attend cultural events (91%) than those with no qualifications (48%)
- Main reasons given for attending cultural events were that people liked going to that type of event (34%), to see a specific performer or event (23%), or to spend time with family or friends (15%)
- For most of the different types of events attended, the majority of those who did attend these events said they wanted to attend more often (eg 80% would like to attend a live music event more often, 58% the ballet); the most common factor that would encourage people to attend more was 'more free time'
- Main reasons given for not attending cultural events or places in Scotland were that people were not interested (35%), their health wasn't good enough (18%) and that it was difficult to find the time (17%)
Visiting Archive Centres or Records Offices
- 4% of adults visited archives and records offices 'in the last 12 months', with the majority (57%) visiting to find out about their family history
Going to the Library
- Just under half of adults (49%) visited a library 'in the last 12 months', and almost half of those (47%) visited the library at least once per month
- Libraries are accessed by a diverse range of people, although there is a clear trend for people with higher qualifications to be more likely to visit libraries
Visiting Historic and Archaeological Sites
- Over half of adults (53%) visited historical or archaeological sites 'in the last 12 months', the most popular site visited being a monument such as a castle, fort or ruin (32%)
Visiting Museums and Galleries
- 38% of adults visited a museum or gallery 'in the last 12 months'. Of those who visited, around a third did so at least 3-4 times a year, another third twice a year, and a further third once a year. The most popular reason for visiting a museum or gallery was general interest in the subject of the collection (37%), to view a specific exhibition or display (31%), to view something that interested children (27%) and because of having visited before and wanting to do so again (20%)
Childhood Introduction to Culture and Early Exposure
Respondents were asked about the level of encouragement (from adults in their household or family) they had been given when growing up, to attend cultural venues or do cultural or artistic activities.
Results indicate that younger adults were far more likely than older adults to have been encouraged to take part in cultural activities or attend cultural events during childhood (by adults in their household or family).
For a selection of cultural venue types, the percentage of people saying they had been taken very or fairly often to visit cultural venues when growing up were:
Museums and Galleries 29%
Theatre 23%
Cinema 52%
Historic Sites 33%
Libraries 48%
For a selection of cultural activities, the percentage of adults saying they had been encouraged a lot to do cultural activities when growing up, were:
Reading Books 54%
Drawing Painting, Writing Stories, Poems, Plays or Music 30%
Playing Musical Instruments, Acting, Dancing or Singing 28%
The question on computer or video games was restricted to respondents aged 16-45 years. The following percentage had played computer or video games (during childhood) very or fairly often with adults in their household:
Computer or Video Games 18%
Internet Use and Cultural Websites
- 42% of adults used the internet to look at a cultural website 'in the last 12 months'
- The most popular cultural websites were for theatre or concert (25%), historical or heritage (11%) and museums or galleries (10%).
Volunteering
- 20% of all adults had volunteered in some kind of capacity 'in the last 12 months'
- Of those who volunteered, 16% did so for a cultural related activity, including 9% volunteering to work with arts, music singing or drama activities and 5% in connection with heritage activities.