Reasons for Attending Arts Events in the UK: A 20-Year Study

The table presents the results of a 20-year study on the reasons why adults in the UK attend arts events. It compares the percentages of different motivations over three time periods: 20 years ago, 10 years ago, and today.

One notable trend is that the desire to see a specific performer or artist has remained relatively stable throughout the years. 58% of adults reported this as their reason for attending arts events 20 years ago, which decreased slightly to 55% 10 years ago, and then increased back to 56% today. This suggests that the appeal of seeing a favorite performer or artist has consistently been a strong motivation for attending arts events among UK adults.

Another significant change is the increase in adults attending arts events to accompany children. This percentage has risen from 9% 20 years ago to 15% 10 years ago, and further to 24% today. This indicates a growing interest among adults in exposing their children to arts and cultural experiences.

On the other hand, the percentage of adults attending arts events for special occasions or celebrations has declined significantly. It was 27% 20 years ago, dropped to 20% 10 years ago, and now stands at only 9%. This suggests that people are less likely to view arts events as a form of celebration or special occasion in recent years.

Lastly, the percentages of adults attending arts events for work or business purposes have remained relatively stable. It was 6% 20 years ago, increased to 10% 10 years ago, and currently stands at 11%. This indicates that arts events continue to serve as networking opportunities for professionals.

In conclusion, the study reveals that while the desire to see specific performers/artists remains a consistent motivation, there have been shifts in other reasons for attending arts events in the UK. The increasing importance of accompanying children highlights a growing interest in cultural experiences for families, while the decline in attending for special occasions suggests a changing perception of arts events.