Cultural engagement in Scotland 2023: Scottish Household Survey findings

Conclusion

This report shows that cultural engagement in Scotland is high in 2023, with the majority of adults (88%) either having attended a cultural event or place or having participated in a cultural activity in the last 12 months in the last 12 months.

Attendance at cultural events or places has increased since 2022. The biggest increases in attendance were for attendance at theatres and live music events. However, the overall figures for attendance are still a little lower than before the pandemic (2019). In particular, the proportion attending the cinema (the most common type of attendance) has decreased from 58% in 2019 to 50% in 2023.

This is likely to be related to people’s choices, preferences and available opportunities. A lack of time and the cost were frequently cited factors as to why people do not attend cultural events or places or participate in cultural activities. These issues were also raised in a recent open-text survey (qualitative research). Respondents referred to issues relating to cost and time but also issues relating to their personal perceptions and circumstances and barriers relating to the geographical, built and social environment.

In 2023, there were high levels of satisfaction among service users^[29] with Local Authority cultural services and satisfaction amongst service users increased for theatres and concert halls and museums and galleries. Recent qualitative research also showed there was a strong and positive sentiment associated with local places that can be accessed for free. Places such as libraries and museums were described as providing vital access for exploration and learning and can serve as a ‘lifeline’ in local communities, particularly when costs are a major barrier.

Almost half of respondents agreed that “culture and the arts make a positive difference to my life”. Of these respondents just under three in four reported that “culture and the arts make them feel happy or are something that they really enjoy” and four in ten said that “culture and the arts improve their mental health and wellbeing”. This reinforces the importance of reducing inequalities so that everyone can participate fully in Scotland's cultural life.

This is because cultural engagement is not evenly distributed across Scotland, and there are large disparities between Local Authorities and population subgroups. Variation in levels of attendance and participation between Local Authorities is likely to be related to a range of factors including the urban/rural split, social and cultural infrastructure, access to services, events and places and differences/ preferences among the people who live in these areas.

Differences between population subgroups are particularly noticeable for adults with no qualifications, those with the lowest household income, those living in the most deprived areas and adults who are disabled. The gap in rates of attendance, in many subgroups, (including by age, income, disability and education) is bigger than the gap in participation. This highlights that there are a range of individual and systemic factors that play a part in someone’s ability and opportunity to attend publicly funded cultural events and places.

The principle of equity of access is central to the Culture Strategy, recognising that the opportunity to participate in culture is a human right and barriers should be removed, where possible, for those with protected characteristics and for those who can be disproportionately affected.

The uncertainty and challenges following the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis continue to impact on cultural production and engagement. Through the delivery of the Programme for Government 2024-25, the Scottish Government will seek to address these challenges by working to drive up opportunities for participation in creative pursuits, support the production of new works, and ensure that Scotland’s cultural output has platforms at home and abroad.