Council survey shows strong support for local arts scene

7 October 2003

Christchurch people place a high value on the arts and many of us would like to play a greater part in the local arts scene, according to the results of a newly released study on arts participation in Christchurch.

‘The Arts Scene in Christchurch: A Survey of Arts Participation’ was commissioned by the Christchurch City Council and involved 500 face to face interviews, undertaken this year, by Opinions Market Research.

“It is the first time we have tried to measure arts participation in Christchurch,” Christchurch City Council Leisure planning projects officer Paul Cottam said. “The findings will be useful in so many ways, from planning events to removing the barriers that some groups face in taking part in arts activities,” he said.

The survey is part of the Council’s adoption of an ‘arts for all goal’ under its Arts Policy and Strategy (2002). “To achieve this goal, we needed to have a more accurate picture of arts activity in Christchurch,” Mr Cottam said.

Virtually everyone surveyed ( 98 %) had taken part in an arts activity in the previous 12 months. On average they had participated in eight arts activities, with women (80%) being more actively involved than men (49%).

Public art works and Council support of the arts received a big thumbs up. Of those surveyed, 88 per cent said it was a good idea to have public arts works around the city and 79 per cent thought rates should be used to support the provision of arts activities.

The Arts Survey is available on the website http://www.ccc.govt.nz/ArtsSurvey and from the Christchurch City Council Leisure Unit at Civic Offices and Council Service Centres

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