Participation in Arts & Culture 

Participation in artistic or cultural activities is important for individuals and communities. Poetry slams, painting, music, dance, drama, films, and books are all around us. Most people participate in some such activities, whether they are amateurs or professionals, alone or with others. In addition to taking classes, giving lessons, performing, or appreciating the work of others, people participate in cultural activities and the arts by giving money and volunteering. All contribute to the richness of our lives.

• Participation in arts and culture activities was measured in a 2007 survey of King County adults. Respondents reported how actively they had participated in 4 different types of “leisure or free time” activities during the past 30 days. (figure 1) Music/dance and writing/reading/lectures were each split into two questions reflecting direct personal involvement vs. attending a performance or lecture.

• More than three-quarters of King County residents reported writing, reading books, participating in a book club, studying a language or participating in a theater production in the past month. Almost half did some sort of arts and crafts, and between one-quarter to one-third made music or danced.

• The level of participation did not change in any region or the County as a whole between 2004 and 2007 (data not shown).

• Persons ages 25-44 were more likely to have made music or danced in the last month than those ages 65 and older; also, those with household incomes between $15,000 and $24,999 were more likely to have made music or danced than those with household incomes of $35,000 and higher. College graduates and women were more likely to have been active in writing, reading, language study or participating in theater. Those ages 65 and older were less likely to have been active in arts and crafts or a similar activity in the last month (data not shown).

• In 2007, the survey asked for the first time about participation at cultural events related to one’s ethnic heritage. No significant differences were found for age, race, gender, income or education.”

• The majority of King County residents attended an artistic, cultural or literary event in the past month. Approximately one-third had attended a lecture or play, and more than half attended a music or dance performance.

• South Region residents were less likely to have attended plays or lectures in the last month than residents of the North and East regions. (figure 2)

• All residents were more likely to have attended music or dance performances in the last month than to have attended plays or lectures.

• Persons ages 45 to 64 were more likely than those ages 25 to 44 to have attended plays or lectures in the last month. Attendance at plays or lectures was more likely among college graduates and those with incomes of $50,000 and up (data not shown).

• The same County-wide survey asked “In the past 12 months, how active have you been in an organization such as an arts, culture, music or theater group?” (figure 2) Approximately one-third of King County residents had been actively involved in an arts or culture organization in the past year.

• No significant differences were found between regions in 2007, or between 2004 and 2007, nor were there any differences between demographic groups.

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