This data summary draws on the ABS data set Cultural and Creative Activities (previously Participation in Selected Cultural Activities). It provides insight into how ACT adults and children, aged 5 to 14 years, engage in arts and culture (outside school hours) both as active participants and audience members and how engagement changes with age.
Key data on culture and creative activities nationally found that women (39%) are more likely to participate in creative activities than men (25%). Nine in ten children (90%) spend at least one hour a week on screen-based activities, with 24% of those children spending more than 20 hours a week engaged in screen-based activities. Nationally, 44% of people attended the cinema, as the most popular cultural venue or event. Children's attendance at cultural venues or events fell from 94% to 80% between 2017-18 and 2021-22.
Key findings for the ACT
The highest participation rate in cultural activities was in the ACT (45%), with the strongest participation in the age groups 25-34 years and 45 to 65 years and over.
ACT children had the highest participation rate in reading for pleasure (83%).
The ACT had the highest adult attendance rate for cultural venues or events across Australia (72%), with strong attendance at:
- art galleries (31% compared to 18% nationally)
- museums (29% compared to 17% nationally)
- performing arts (35% compared to 30% nationally)
- cinemas (46% compared to 44% nationally)
Attendance rates at cultural venues or events fell in all states and territories from 2017-18, with one of the largest declines being in the ACT (93% to 72%).
Attendance rate by children in the ACT declined from 97% in 2017-18 to 82% in 2021-22.
Cinemas are the most visited cultural venue in the ACT
68% of children between aged 5-14 years attend cinemas in the ACT, while 46% of adults (15 years and older) attend cinemas.
Attendance at other cultural venues and events also varies with age
Museums are a popular cultural venue with 44% of children aged 5-14 and 30% of adults attending, while art galleries are more popular with adults (31% attending) than with children (24% attending).
Performing arts events remain popular
72% of adults and 82% of children attend at least one performing arts event per year in the ACT. The biggest rises were theatre performance, rising by 17% for adults (15 years and older) and musicals rising 44% for children aged 5 to 14 years.
Reports
Download National Reports via the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.