Arts audiences turning away due to economic crisis

People expect to attend art and culture events less in future than they did before the pandemic, a study has found.

A survey conducted by sector support organisation The Audience Agency found that large proportions of people say they will reduce spending overall and specifically on entertainment and leisure outside the home – doing less, travelling less and looking for more free options.

Of the 3,557 responses, 74% said the cost of living crisis meant they expect to do fewer paid-for entertainment and leisure activities over the next year. 

Most people expect to attend art forms less in future than they did before the pandemic with 34% of respondents saying they will attend film less than they did before the pandemic, 28% saying they will attend live performances less, and 21% saying they will visit indoor galleries, museums and heritage sites less.

Anne Torreggiani, Chief Executive of The Audience Agency, said the findings confirm the growing impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the sector. 

"It’s shocking to find out that three quarters of the population are predicting that they will have less to spend on arts and culture," she said.

"Keeping abreast of people’s changing priorities and habits are going to play a vital part in the sector’s resilience. We’re here to do that, to help organisations anticipate where the pressure points will be, to offer practical support in navigating them, to suggest how we can help our communities through the crisis."