DCMS survey shows record levels of engagement
Geraldine Kendall, 06.01.2012
72% of adults reported visiting a heritage site in the past year
Recent figures from Taking Part, the continuous survey compiled by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), show that record levels of the public are engaging with heritage, museums and galleries in England.
The latest survey, which covers the four quarters from October 2010 to September 2011, reveals that 72% of adults reported visiting a heritage site in the last year – an ongoing upward trend since Taking Part began in 2005/06.
The North East region has seen the biggest rise in heritage attendance, from 69% in 2005/06 to 76% today.
In addition, between 2005 and 2011 the proportion of people visiting a museum or gallery in the last year increased from 42% to 47% and July to September 2011 was the first quarter on record where more than half of adults reported attending museums or galleries.
Figures for target groups showed that there is still progress to be made - 57% of adults from upper socio-economic groups said they had visited a museum or gallery in the past year, compared with 33% from lower groups. And just 28% of people over 75 reported attending, as opposed to 53% of adults aged between 25 and 44.
But the proportion of black and minority ethnic groups visiting museums in the last twelve months is rising more quickly, from 35% in 2005/06 to 41% in the latest period – though the figure is still considerably lower than the 48% of white adults who said they had visited.
MA director Mark Taylor said: “Again we can see how popular museums are. What is ironic is that while the public are beating down the doors to get in, cutbacks are forcing museums to close those doors and keep the public out.”
Taking Part is a continuous annual survey of adults and children living in private households in England. It works with bodies including Arts Council England and English Heritage to collect data on participation in leisure, culture and sport in England, as well as socio-demographic information.
The next figures are due at the end of March 2012.
Click here to see the latest Taking Part figures
The latest survey, which covers the four quarters from October 2010 to September 2011, reveals that 72% of adults reported visiting a heritage site in the last year – an ongoing upward trend since Taking Part began in 2005/06.
The North East region has seen the biggest rise in heritage attendance, from 69% in 2005/06 to 76% today.
In addition, between 2005 and 2011 the proportion of people visiting a museum or gallery in the last year increased from 42% to 47% and July to September 2011 was the first quarter on record where more than half of adults reported attending museums or galleries.
Figures for target groups showed that there is still progress to be made - 57% of adults from upper socio-economic groups said they had visited a museum or gallery in the past year, compared with 33% from lower groups. And just 28% of people over 75 reported attending, as opposed to 53% of adults aged between 25 and 44.
But the proportion of black and minority ethnic groups visiting museums in the last twelve months is rising more quickly, from 35% in 2005/06 to 41% in the latest period – though the figure is still considerably lower than the 48% of white adults who said they had visited.
MA director Mark Taylor said: “Again we can see how popular museums are. What is ironic is that while the public are beating down the doors to get in, cutbacks are forcing museums to close those doors and keep the public out.”
Taking Part is a continuous annual survey of adults and children living in private households in England. It works with bodies including Arts Council England and English Heritage to collect data on participation in leisure, culture and sport in England, as well as socio-demographic information.
The next figures are due at the end of March 2012.
Click here to see the latest Taking Part figures
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