ATTENDANCE AT CULTURAL VENUES AND EVENTS

Measures of attendance at cultural venues and events can provide an indication of our capacity to undertake these activities, and of the importance we place on their contributions to our wellbeing (ABS 2008c).

The proportion of Australians who attended a cultural venue or event has remained relatively steady during the decade 1995 to 2005-06 (83% and 85% respectively). In 2005-06, most Australians aged 15 years and over (85% or 13.6 million people) attended at least one cultural venue or event in the 12 months prior to interview. Cinemas were reported as the cultural venue with the highest attendance rate (62%). Over one-fifth (23%) of adults who attend the cinema during the year went between 6 to 10 times. A quarter (25%) of those who visited libraries went 21 times or more in the year. In contrast, over half of the adults who attended museums (50%), musicals and operas (55%), and dance performances (54%), went only once during the 12 month period (ABS 2007a).

In 2005-06, attendance rates at all cultural venues and events were consistently higher for women than men. For example, 87% of women attended at least one cultural venue or event compared with 82% of men.