The Scottish Household Survey (SHS) 2023 has revealed important insights into cultural engagement across Scotland, shedding light on the attitudes, behaviors, and attendance patterns of Scots at cultural events and places throughout the year. The survey highlights a steady interest in cultural activities, particularly in cinema and live music, while also noting the continued importance of libraries as key venues for public engagement with culture.
Overview of Cultural Engagement in 2023
The SHS report demonstrates that 76% of adults in Scotland attended a cultural event or visited a cultural place in the last 12 months, reflecting an increase from 74% in 2022. When excluding cinema, the figure drops to 69%, marking an increase from 65% in the previous year.
Key Figures:
- 50% of adults attended the cinema at least once in the past year, making it the most common cultural event.
- 36% attended live music events.
- 33% visited historic places.
- 30% attended museums or theatres.
- 24% of adults did not attend any cultural event or visit any cultural places in the last 12 months.
Frequency of Visits:
- 16% of adults visited a library at least once a week, and 37% visited libraries at least once a month, making libraries one of the most frequented cultural venues.
Regional Variation in Cultural Engagement
Attendance at cultural events and places varied significantly between Local Authorities.
Highest Attendance:
- Stirling and Edinburgh, City of had the highest rates of cultural attendance, with 87% of adults attending cultural events or visiting cultural places in 2023.
- East Dunbartonshire followed closely with 86%.
Lowest Attendance:
- Na h-Eileanan Siar recorded the lowest cultural attendance at 59%, followed by Moray at 60%.
Attendance Excluding Cinema:
- Stirling saw the highest attendance (84%) excluding cinema, followed by East Dunbartonshire (83%) and Edinburgh, City of (80%).
- The lowest attendance excluding cinema was seen in Moray (52%) and Na h-Eileanan Siar (54%).
Popular Cultural Activities
Cinema:
- The cinema remains the most popular cultural activity, with 50% of adults attending in the past year. A significant portion of these individuals attended at least once a month (13%).
Libraries:
- Libraries continue to be a staple of cultural engagement, with 16% of adults visiting at least once a week, showing a strong connection to local communities.
Live Music and Historic Sites:
- 36% attended live music events, and 33% visited historic places, demonstrating a sustained interest in both modern and traditional forms of cultural engagement.
Participation in Cultural Activities
Aside from attendance, the survey also explored how actively individuals participated in cultural activities such as music, dance, and art. These activities help foster a deeper connection with cultural heritage and contribute to community and personal well-being.
Satisfaction with Local Authority Cultural Services
The report also sheds light on public satisfaction with local authority cultural services. While specific satisfaction data was not included, the high levels of engagement with libraries and cultural sites suggest that local governments are successfully meeting the demand for accessible cultural services.
Cultural engagement in Scotland in 2023 shows a diverse and growing interest in both traditional and modern cultural activities, with regional differences reflecting varying levels of access to and investment in cultural services. The steady increase in participation, particularly in cinema, live music, and library visits, underscores the importance of culture in the daily lives of Scots.
