Key findings from the survey New Zealanders and the arts: attitudes, attendance and participation in 2005.

April 5, 2006

Arts participation survey
Key findings

Key findings from the survey New Zealanders and the arts: attitudes, attendance and participation in 2005:

Attendance:

84% of New Zealanders aged 15+ attended at least one arts event in the past year
One-third (32%) of New Zealanders aged 15+ attended arts events regularly – at least once a month
Just over one-third (35%) of New Zealanders 15+ have attended a Māori arts event in the past 12 months
One-third (33%) of New Zealanders aged 15+ have attended a Pacific arts event in the past 12 months
In terms of frequency, the most significant increase in attendance levels (9% overall) is at Māori arts events

Participation:

Participation in the arts by New Zealanders aged 15+ was analysed by frequency of participation. The study shows that:

Half of the population (50 %) actively participated in the arts
Income has no influence on arts participation
Educational attainment has more influence on arts attendance than on arts participation
More than half the people who don’t attend any arts events are favourably disposed to the arts. This group is heavily involved in the arts through participation rather than attendance
Lack of time and other commitments is the main reason for attending arts events less often
Ethnic groups in New Zealand are active participants in the arts
Māori show the highest positive skew towards active participation. They represent
One-fifth (21%) of the group who most actively participate in the arts

Attitudes:
To determine New Zealanders’ attitudes to the arts they were asked to agree or disagree with a series of statements.

The findings show that:

10-14 age group:

Some key findings from the 10-14 age group include:

87% agreed that the arts are enjoyable
63% said their friends are interested in the
80% used a computer to create art
51% said the arts are part of their family’s life
35% attended Māori arts events with family and friends outside of school in the past year. Of those more than one-third (35%) attended two or three times
51% participated in Pacific arts with their school in the past 12 months (24% outside of school)

Definitions
The arts were defined as:

Visual arts: painting, photography, sculpture, web-based/digital art, ceramic-making, film making (and film festivals included in attendance questions)
Performing arts – theatre, dance, music: ballet or contemporary dance performances, theatre, concerts, singing or musical performances or events, circuses
Literature: writing workshops or a literary event; writing poetry, fiction or non-fiction
Māori arts: arts or craft, workshops including carving, weaving or singing, kappa haka or other Māori dance or music activities
Pacific arts: weaving and other Pacific handicrafts, workshops, carving, traditional dance, choir or other musical activities

And participation was defined as active participation, that is actually making or doing something, and the potential roles were:

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