Study: Music strong driver of Arts engagement for Australians

Australia Council has issued the findings of a survey entitled The Arts In Daily Life: Australian Participation In The Arts, revealing that a staggering 95% of Australians have engaged with the arts over the past 12 months.

Interestingly, 48% of Australians consider themselves creators in some form of arts faculty, compared to 41% in 2009.

Those involved in creating music increased 20% from 15% in 2009. Music showed the second highest rise, behind visual arts and craft, which was up to 30% from 22% in 2009. The survey did not provide specific figures for contemporary music.

Other key findings included: 85% believe the Arts make for a richer and more meaningful life, 92% consider Indigenous Arts an important part of Australia’s culture and 89% think the Arts are important to education.

Two-thirds of those surveyed use the Internet to engage come form of Arts pursuit. Downloading music was one of the ways 58% of Australians said they consumed the Arts online.

The percentage of people with disabilities who create art is up to 15%. But those with disabilities who attend Arts events and music concerts is low, 59% compared to 74% attendees who have no disabilities. Studies already conducted in the UK suggest access and facilities in venues are major problems that need addressing.

The Australia Council found that 27% of Australians contributed to the Arts by volunteering or donating money in the past 12 months. Of these, 54% volunteered for Arts organisations, 38% donated money, 25% participated in a crowd funding effort for an Arts activity and 24% subscribed to an Arts organization membership program.

Australia Council Chief Executive Officer Tony Grybowski says, “The survey measured public attitudes and participation in the arts, both as consumers and creators. It is an example of the Council’s commitment to providing a stronger evidence base for how we understand and talk about arts and culture in Australia.”