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SUMMARY

During the 12 months before interview in 2005-06, about 85% (13.6 million people) of the Australian population aged 15 years and over (16.0 million) attended at least one of the cultural venues and events asked about in the survey. The highest attendance rates were at cinemas (65% of people), zoological parks and aquariums (36%), libraries (34%) and botanic gardens (34%).


AGE AND SEX

People aged 15-17 years were most likely to attend at least one of the cultural venues and events included in the survey, with an attendance rate of 97%. Attendance rates decreased for older age groups with the lowest attendance rate (59%) recorded for the age group 75 years and over. Attendance rates for females were higher than for males at most cultural venues and events.


AREA OF RESIDENCE

Attendance rates for people living in the six state capital cities were higher than those for people in the rest of Australia for the venues and events included in the survey except for art galleries and dance performances. For most venues and events, residents in the Australian Capital Territory recorded the highest attendance rates. However, Western Australian residents had the highest attendance rate for zoological parks and aquariums, while South Australian residents had the highest rate for other performing arts and libraries.

More residents attended art galleries and museums in their own state or territory (27%) than elsewhere in Australia (7%). People in the Australian Capital Territory (53%) and the Northern Territory (39%) were more likely than people in other states to attend art galleries and museums in their own states or territories, rather than elsewhere in Australia.

People living in state capital cities were more likely to attend art galleries and museums in their own state capital city (26%) than anywhere else in Australia. In contrast, for people not living in a state capital city there was no significant difference between attendance rates in their own state or territory capital city (13%) and elsewhere in their own state or territory (15%).

HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION

To some extent, attendance at cultural venues and events is influenced by a person's age and the composition of the household in which they live. For example, those people in households with dependent children were more likely to visit zoological parks and aquariums (46% for couple families with dependent children and 38% for one-parent families with dependent children) than people living in lone person households (25%).

COUNTRY OF BIRTH

People born in other countries were less likely to attend at least one venue or event (76%) than people born in Australia (86%) or those born in the main-English speaking countries (90%).


LABOUR FORCE STATUS

Employed people (and particularly those employed part-time) had significantly higher attendance rates at classical and popular music concerts, theatre performances and musicals and operas than people who were unemployed or not in the labour force. At most other cultural venues and events the attendance rates for employed and unemployed were not significantly different. However, for libraries, unemployed people had the highest attendance rate, with 48% having visited a national, state or local library in the previous 12 months, compared with 31% for employed people.


EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

People whose highest educational attainment was year 10 or below were the least likely to have attended at least one of the venues and events. These people had significantly lower attendance rates at art galleries, museums, zoological parks and aquariums, libraries, popular music concerts, other performing arts and cinemas than people with higher educational attainment.


INCOME

For each of the venues and events included in the survey, with the exception of libraries, residents with household income in the highest quintile reported significantly higher attendance rates than those in the lowest quintile. Generally, as gross household income decreased, so too did attendance rates.


FREQUENCY OF ATTENDANCE

A quarter (25%) of those who visited libraries in the previous 12 months went there over 20 times during the year. Cinemas also had a relatively large number of frequent attendees, with almost one-quarter (23%) going there more than 10 times during the year. However, the majority of people who visited museums, or attended dance performances, or musicals and operas or other performing arts, went only once during the 12-month period.


ART GALLERIES

Attendance

An estimated 23% of people aged 15 years and over (3,630,700) in Australia visited art galleries in the 12 months before interview in 2005-06.

A majority (63%) of these people had visited an art gallery either once or twice in the previous 12 months.

Area of residence

The highest attendance rate for art galleries was reported by residents of the Australian Capital Territory, with two-fifths (40%) of those aged 15 years and over attending in the 12 months before interview. Northern Territory residents also reported relatively high attendance rates (26%), along with Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania (24%). The attendance rate of people in the six state capital cities (23%) was similar to those living elsewhere in Australia (22%).

Characteristics of visitors

The attendance rate at art galleries was higher for females (25%) than for males (20%). This higher attendance rate for females was evident across all age groups. Of females, those aged 75 years and over had the lowest attendance rate (17%) while for males those aged between 18 and 24 had the lowest attendance rate (13%).

The highest attendance rates for art galleries were reported by people who:

• were born overseas in the main English-speaking countries (29%)
• were working part-time (26%)
• had graduate diplomas and certificates (49%) or postgraduate degrees (48%)
• were in the highest equivalised household income quintile (35%).

Half (50%) of those who had visited museums during the 12-month period had done so once, while a further 25% had visited twice.

Area of residence

The highest attendance rates for museums were reported by people living in the Australian Capital Territory (47%) and the Northern Territory (38%). People living in Tasmania also had a relatively high attendance rate (31%).

The attendance rate for museums of people living in the six state capital cities (23%) was higher than for those living elsewhere in Australia (21%).

Characteristics of visitors

Overall, males and females had similar attendance rates at museums (22% and 23% respectively).

The highest attendance rates for museums were reported by people who:

• were in couple families with dependent children (26%)
• were born overseas in the main English-speaking countries (29%)
• were employed (25%)
• had postgraduate degrees (51%), graduate diplomas and certificates (40%) or bachelor degrees (35%)
• were in the highest equivalised household income quintile (34%).

Almost one-half (48%) of those who had visited zoological parks and aquariums had visited once, while 26% had visited twice.

Area of residence

Attendance rates at zoological parks and aquariums varied considerably by area of residence. The highest attendance rates at zoological gardens were reported by people in the Australian Capital Territory (33%) and Western Australia (28%). Attendance at other wildlife parks was highest for those living in the Northern Territory (30%), while for aquariums and marine parks, the highest attendance rate was recorded for residents in the Australian Capital Territory (24%).

Characteristics of visitors

Females had higher attendance rates than males at zoological parks and aquariums (38% and 34% respectively). The highest attendance rates were reported by the age groups 25-34 years (47%) and 35-44 years (46%), over four times the attendance rate of the 75 years and over age group (11%).

The highest attendance rates for zoological parks and aquariums were reported by people who:

• were in couple families with dependent children (46%) or in one-parent families with dependent children (38%)
• were born overseas in the main English-speaking countries (41%)
• were unemployed (39%)
• had postgraduate degrees (52%), graduate diplomas and certificates (47%) or bachelor degrees (47%)
• were in the highest equivalised household income quintile (47%).

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of those who had visited botanic gardens during the 12-month period had visited more than once.

Area of residence

The highest attendance rate was recorded by people living in the Australian Capital Territory (44%). People living in the six state capital cities had an attendance rate of 35%, compared with 31% for people living elsewhere in Australia.

Characteristics of visitors

The attendance rate at botanic gardens for females (36%) was higher than the rate for males (31%). The age group of 15-17 year olds reported an attendance rate of 21% and the 75 years and over age group reported an attendance rate of 24%, substantially lower than other age groups which had rates ranging between 29% and 38%.

The highest attendance rates for botanic gardens were reported by people who:

• were born overseas in the main English-speaking countries (41%)
• were employed (36%)
• had postgraduate degrees (63%) or graduate diplomas and certificates (56%)
• were in the highest equivalised household income quintile (45%).

Almost two-thirds (65%) of those who had visited a library during the 12-month period had visited more than 6 times during that period, including 25% who had visited more than 20 times.

Area of residence

While people in most states and territories had attendance rates similar to the national average (34%), the rates were somewhat higher for people in South Australia (40%) and in Western Australia (37%). Attendance rates were slightly higher for residents in the six state capital cities (35%) than in the rest of Australia (33%).

Characteristics of visitors

Females were more likely than males to visit a library - their attendance rate was 41%, compared with 27% for males. Large differences between the attendance rates for females and males were evident for most age groups except 75 years and over.

The highest attendance rates for libraries were reported by people who:

• were born overseas in the main English-speaking countries (42%)
• were unemployed (48%) or working part-time (43%)
• had graduate diplomas and certificates (51%), postgraduate degrees (50%) or bachelor degrees (45%).

Area of residence

Residents of the Australian Capital Territory reported the highest attendance rate at classical music concerts (13%), while those in the Northern Territory and Queensland reported the lowest (8%). People living in the six state capital cities had a higher attendance rate than those living in the rest of Australia (11% compared with 7%).

Characteristics of attendees

Females were more likely than males to attend classical music concerts (an attendance rate of 11% compared with 8%). People aged 55-64 years reported the highest attendance rate (13%), over double the attendance rate of those aged 15-24 years (6%). Females aged 15-17 years had a significantly higher attendance rate (11%) than males the same age (1%).

The highest attendance rates for classical music concerts were reported by people who:

• had postgraduate degrees (26%) or graduate diplomas and certificates (23%)
• were in the highest equivalised household income quintile (15%)
• were born overseas in the main English-speaking countries (13%).

Almost two-thirds (65%) of those who had attended popular music concerts during the 12-month period had attended more than once.

Area of residence

Attendance rates at popular music concerts ranged from 24% for Victorian, Tasmanian and New South Wales residents to 34% for those living in the Australian Capital Territory.

Characteristics of attendees

The attendance rates for males and females were similar (25% and 26% respectively). Attendance rates declined with increasing age - about two-fifths (40%) of people aged 18-24 years had been to popular music concerts in the previous 12 months, while about one-third (31%) of 15-17 and 25-34 year olds had attended. This compares with 7% of people aged 75 years and over.

The highest attendance rates for popular music concerts were reported by people who:

• were in one-parent families with dependent children (27%) or in ‘Other households’, such as unrelated adults who are sharing accommodation (27%)
• had graduate diplomas and certificates (40%) or bachelor degrees (35%)
• were in the highest (37%) or second highest (32%) equivalised household income quintile
• were employed (32%).

About one-half (53%) of those who had attended theatre performances during the 12-month period had attended more than once.

Area of residence

Residents of the Australian Capital Territory had the highest attendance rate (26%). Attendance rates for other states and territories were below 20%. The attendance rate for people living in the six state capital cities was 18%, compared with 16% for people living in the rest of Australia.

Characteristics of attendees

Females recorded higher attendance rates than males across all age groups (21% compared with 13%). While the difference between attendance rates for females aged 15-17 years (31%) and males aged 15-17 years (8%) appears large, the difference is not statistically significant (see paragraphs 11 and 12 of the Technical Note for more details).

The highest attendance rates at theatre performances were reported by people who:

• had graduate diplomas and certificates (36%), postgraduate degrees (29%) or bachelor degrees (29%)
• were in the highest equivalised household income quintile (25%)
• were born overseas in the main English-speaking countries (22%)
• were working part-time (22%).

More than half (54%) of those who had attended dance performances during the 12-month period had attended once, while another 25% had attended twice.

Area of residence

The highest attendance rates were reported by residents in the Australian Capital Territory (17%), South Australia (11%) and New South Wales (11%). The rate of attendance of people living in the six state capital cities was similar to the rate for people living elsewhere (both 10%).

Characteristics of attendees

Females were more likely than males to attend dance performances(13%, compared with 7% for males). Females aged 15-17 years had the highest attendance rate with 30%, or almost one-third, attending.

The highest attendance rates for dance performances were reported by people who:

• were working part-time (14%)
• had graduate diplomas and certificates (18%), bachelor degrees (14%) or advanced diploma or diplomas (14%)
• were in the highest (13%) or second highest (12%) equivalised household income quintile
• were in families with dependent children (couples 14%, one parent 12%).

Just under half (45%) of those who had attended musicals and operas during the 12-month period had been more than once. Less than 11% had attended more than three musicals and operas in that time.

Area of residence

Attendance rates for musicals and operas were similar for people in most states and territories - the highest rates reported were by people living in the Australian Capital Territory (19%) and Victoria (18%). The lowest attendance rate was for people in Northern Territory (9%). Attendance rates were higher for those people living in the six state capital cities (18%) than for people living elsewhere (13%).

Characteristics of attendees

Females were more likely to attend musicals and operas than males (21% and 12% respectively). One-fifth of people aged 45-64 years had been to a musical or opera in the 12 months before interview.

The highest attendance rates for musicals and operas were reported by people who:

• had graduate diplomas and certificates (34%), postgraduate degrees (25%), or bachelor degrees (25%)
• were in the highest equivalised household income quintile (26%)
• were working part-time (20%).

Area of residence

People living in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory had the highest attendance rates at ‘Other performing arts’ (21% and 20% respectively). Western Australian and South Australian residents reported the highest attendance rate at circuses (11%, compared with the national average of 8%), while Tasmanian residents reported the highest attendance rate at variety shows and revues (10%, compared with the national average of 6%).

Characteristics of attendees

Females were more likely than males to attend ‘Other performing arts’ (an attendance rate of 18% compared with 15%). People aged under 44 generally had higher attendance rates than people in other age groups - 20% of 15-17 year olds, 19% of 25-34 year olds and 19% of 35-44 year olds attended ‘Other performing arts’.

The highest attendance rates for 'Other performing arts' were reported by people who:

• were in couple families with dependent children (21%)
• were born overseas in the main English-speaking countries (19%)
• were working part-time (21%)
• had graduate diplomas and certificates (25%), postgraduate degrees (24%) or bachelor degrees (23%)
• were in the highest equivalised household income quintile (23%).

Over half (54%) of those who had visited the cinema during the 12-month period had visited at least five times.

Area of residence

The highest attendance rates were reported by residents in the Australian Capital Territory (71%), the Northern Territory (68%) and Victoria (67%). People living in the six state capital cities were more likely to have visited the cinema than those in the rest of Australia (the attendance rates were 69% and 58% respectively).

Characteristics of attendees

Cinema attendance declined with age. Of 15-17 year olds, 93% had been to the cinema in the 12 months before interview. Older age groups recorded successively lower attendance rates, with those aged 75 years and over having an attendance rate of 27%. Overall, the attendance rate for females (68%) was higher than the rate for males (63%).

The highest attendance rates for cinema were reported by people who:

• were in one-parent families with dependent children (74%) or in couple families with dependent children (73%)
• were working part-time (77%)
• had graduate diplomas and certificates (80%), bachelor degrees (78%) or advanced diploma or diplomas (77%)
• were in the highest equivalised household income quintile (80%).