News – Scottish participation

Three-quarters of people in Scotland have attended an arts or cultural activity within the past year according to a new survey. Carried out on behalf of the Scottish Arts Council, the survey, entitled Taking Part, was based on interviews with 2,750 people across the country and looked at both participation and attendance in the arts. Two-thirds of Scottish adults had participated in arts or cultural activities, included reading books, but less than 1% had taken part in contemporary dance, ballet or opera.
The survey, which mirrored similar studies in 2001, 1998 and 1994, found that 49% of respondents were ?very? or ?quite? interested in arts and cultural events generally, a slightly higher proportion than recorded in the 2001 (45%) and 1998 (44%) surveys; 42% stated that they were ?not very? or ?not at all? interested. The survey also examined the attending patterns of specific under-represented groups at arts events. Attendance figures dropped from 75% among Scottish adults to 50% for disabled people and those aged over 65. Only 50% of those living in ?deprived areas? had taken part in cultural activity as opposed to 66% of the general population.