Socio-economic change in the UK and patterns of cultural attendance

Abstract

This note reports an interim finding from a study-in-progress. The purpose of the study is to examine trends in cultural attendance against changes in the socio-economic profile of the UK population. It was expected that, as the ABC1 middle class expanded, it would generate a higher volume of cultural attendances; but that, as a ‘mass’ middle class with diluted cultural behaviours, its relative propensity to do so would diminish. A paucity of comparable data inhibits long-term comparisons. However, in the case of museum and gallery attendance, a comparison was possible. The results were counter-intuitive: from 1991 to 2003, ABC1 cultural attendance increased in both absolute and relative terms; for the C2DE groups, it lessened in both respects. This has implications for audience development initiatives.

Keywords:

• arts attendance
• social class
• UK