Cultural engagement in Scotland: what is it and why does it matter?

Summary of main points

The Scottish Government recognises the deep-rooted value of culture and the way it can inspire, enrich and transform people’s lives and communities. This is why we have a ‘culture’ national outcome which signifies the relationship culture plays in creating a more successful country and increasing the wellbeing of people living in Scotland.

This report draws on a range of data, from both the Scottish Household Survey (SHS, 2019-2022) and qualitative research (2024) to explore cultural engagement in Scotland. The focus is from 2019 to 2024. This is the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis - this report therefore considers the possible effects of these on cultural production and engagement.

Cultural engagement^[1] in Scotland 2022 - what do national trends tell us?

• The latest data (2022) from SHS shows us that cultural engagement in Scotland is high. Just under nine in ten (88%) adults were culturally engaged in 2022, either having attended or visited a cultural event or place or having participated in a cultural activity in the last 12 months.
• However, this has decreased slightly from 90% in 2019. The decrease in engagement is driven by reductions in attendance, which fell from 81% to 74% in 2022. This is likely to be related to reduced availability of events and venues in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[2]
• The most popular form of cultural attendance was going to the cinema (49%), followed by attendance at live music events (32%) and visits to historic places (29%). The library was the most frequently visited cultural event or place.
• The most popular form of cultural participation was reading books, poetry or graphic novels or comics for pleasure (64%), followed by viewing performances online (20%) and crafts (18%). A high proportion of people participate in activities such as reading, singing in a choir and playing a musical instrument at least once a week.

What is cultural engagement like for different Local Authorities in Scotland in 2022?

• Levels of attendance and participation can vary between Local Authorities. These differences are 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 among the people who live in these areas.
• Findings from an open-text survey on people’s cultural experiences found that some respondents from rural areas tended to feel there was a lack of local facilities, and that travel and accommodation costs, to be able to access different cultural opportunities, can be a barrier.^[3]

What is cultural engagement like for different people in Scotland in 2022?

• National trends can mask differences across the population. There are differences between different subgroups of the population (by age, disability, economic status, ethnicity, marital status, religious belonging, sex, household income, level of qualification, sexual orientation and the level of deprivation where someone lives). Some of these differences reflect the fact that cultural engagement is uneven.
• For example, attendance at cultural events or places of culture was lower those with no qualifications, for older adults, those with a net annual household income of up to £10,000, those living in the most deprived areas of Scotland and those with a disability.
• Similar differences can be seen for rates of participation, with the exception of age. Those in the older group (75 and over) were more likely to read than those in the younger age group (16-24). Also, unlike attendance, participation in cultural activities is lower in men than women.
• The gap in rates of attendance, in many subgroups, (including by age, income, deprivation 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.
• In 2022, the most frequently cited factors limiting or preventing people from attending cultural events and places were a ‘lack of time’ (16%) followed by ‘cost of tickets’ (13%). The most frequently cited factor limiting or preventing people from participating in cultural activities was also a ‘lack of time’ (14%).
• These issues were raised in the open-text survey. 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.

What does cultural engagement mean to people?

• Findings from SHS indicate that in 2022, almost half of adults (48%) agreed that culture and the arts make a positive difference to their life. Over half (53%) agreed that culture and the arts makes a positive difference to their local community. Of the respondents who agreed that culture and the arts makes a positive difference to their life, 74% reported that culture and the arts makes them feel happy or they are something they really enjoy.
• Findings from the open-text survey on people’s cultural experiences support these statistics and add further detail. Qualitative analysis identified the way that culture and creativity are a major part of people’s self-expression and identity, with a strong link to social connections, learning and emotional wellbeing.
• When asked to reflect on how they like to take part in cultural activities, most respondents described doing a mixture of solitary and group activities, in-person and online. Some challenged the phrasing of ‘taking part’ or ‘accessing’ cultural activities, suggesting that culture is not something you have to go somewhere to do or access, it is part of everyday life.
• In 2022, findings from SHS indicated that just under half of respondents (45%) agreed that there are enough opportunities to get involved in culture and the arts in their local area, 25% were unsure and 18% disagreed.
• Findings from the open-text survey supported these findings. Several respondents expressed having limited awareness about what was going on locally so felt like they were missing out on opportunities. Some also suggested that there could be improvements. For example, that there should be more local events, more diverse opportunities or improved accessibility.
• Nonetheless, 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.

Changes in cultural engagement since 2019

• The COVID-19 pandemic, and then the cost of living crisis has disrupted cultural production and engagement.
• This can be seen in the figures for attendance at cultural events and places, which was lower in 2022 (74%) than 2019 (81%). However, figures for streaming of a live performance has maintained (8%) over that time period.
• Overall figures for participation (75%) have maintained since 2019. Although there have been small increases in people who have participated in crafts or played a musical instrument. It is likely that most of these activities were maintained as they can be done in the home and/or alone, and so they were not restricted by pandemic regulations.
• Looking across the subgroups, rates of participation maintained for most subgroups. However, participation in cultural activities, including reading, increased for disabled adults between 2019-2022 (68% to 72%). This pattern held when reading was excluded.
• Some respondents in the open-text survey discussed how being able to engage in a range of activities in the home (include online formats) was an important part of people’s ‘everyday’ cultural engagement. Further, it can be a cheaper alternative to paying for attendance to different events or activities.
• Cost and affordability were central themes in the open-text survey, with many respondents noting that the costs associated with accessing places had significantly increased over time.

Summary

• This research (both from statistics and qualitative analysis) shows that cultural engagement is significant for many people for a range of reasons. Engaging with culture is related to heritage, identity, self-expression, social connection, learning, growth, health and wellbeing.
• Cultural engagement is varied and diverse. The phrasing of ‘taking part’ in cultural activities was challenged, with some suggesting that culture is not something you have to go somewhere to do or access, it is simply part of everyday life.
• This research therefore underscores the need to ensure the approach to culture includes the everyday, the emerging, the established and the more formal, and that cultural events and programmes meet the needs and interests of different population groups.
• While cultural engagement is related to people’s choices, interests and preferences, there are inequality gaps in rates of attendance and participation. Cost, accessibility and infrastructure are three major challenges.
• 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 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.