The National Arts Participation Survey asks how Australians are engaging with arts and creativity in our daily lives. How do Australians feel about arts and creativity? How is our arts engagement changing? Do we recognise the impacts of arts and creativity in our lives and communities? How do Australians feel about public funding for the arts?
Developed by Creative Australia and Lonergan Research, the 2022 edition provides new insights and opportunities to understand Australians’ engagement with and attitudes towards the arts.
For the 2022 survey, artsACT contributed to boosting the ACT sample for Creative Australia’s National Arts Participation Survey (NAPS) and to receive an ACT report.
Key findings for the ACT
Of those surveyed in the ACT:
99% of Canberrans engaged in creative and artistic activities and events in the ACT, a three percent increase in engagement pre-COVID from 96% in 2019.
85% of Canberrans acknowledged the significant positive impact the arts have across a range of areas including:
- our ability to express ourselves (66%)
- stimulating our minds (64%)
- child development (65%)
- our understanding of other people cultures (65%)
- our sense of wellbeing and happiness (61%)
- our ability to think creatively and develop new ideas (59%)
- helping us deal with stress, anxiety and depression (56%)
81% agreed that creative activities should be an important part of education.
77% agreed that artists make an important contribution to Australian society.
69% agreed that cultural and creative experiences should receive public funding.
66% acknowledge that cost may be a barrier for some people and believe that ensuring accessibility for all, regardless of financial circumstance, is a worthwhile investment.
80% agree that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts are an important part of Australia’s culture however less than half of Canberrans (43%) believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts are well represented.
28% attended Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts or cultural activities.
32% engaged with their own cultural background, language group or community by attending events or festivals, or creating art.
16% of Australians living in the ACT aged 15 or over created art to engage with their own cultural background, language group or community.
Reports
You can find out more about the National Report via the Creative Australia website.
Download the ACT Report (PDF 0.99MB)