The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) has launched two reports at the newly established Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries faculty at the Atrium in Cardiff.
The reports were commissioned by ACW from the University of Glamorgan's research team. Both reports, Arts and Public Engagement- Patterns, Processes and Levers for Change and Hand in Hand: Arts Based Activities and Regeneration were commissioned to develop a greater understanding of public engagement with the arts in Wales and to explore the reasons for lower levels of participation among key social groups, including those living in areas characterised by deprivation.
Arts and Public Engagement identified a number of key themes, which are critical for understanding arts engagement including life stage and early life experience. The report also identified the primary factors inhibiting arts engagement such as lack of public transport in the evening, community safety issues, cost factors and the primary reason for non-engagement, lack of perceived relevance.
Hand in Hand demonstrates clearly that many communities across Wales are resolving several of these difficulties by organising trips to local, regional and national arts venues and also, through ACW funding, forming active and successful community arts groups. Case studies show that arts interventions provide individuals with opportunities for personal and self-development, for increasing self esteem and for recognising aspiration which in turn impacts directly on community regeneration.
The reports demonstrate a fundamental link between arts based practice delivered in disadvantaged communities and the regeneration of those communities. The studies go beyond the largely anecdotal evidence that has previously been gathered and clearly demonstrate the key role the arts play in enabling disadvantaged people and communities to take the first steps towards social and cultural change, which are essential in underpinning regeneration in Wales.
Professor David Adamson from the University of Glamorgan and lead Researcher on both Reports said:
'The research has shown how arts based practice provides individuals with positive goals, objectives, achievable aims and opportunities for creativity all of which have a positive impact on the image of the 'possible self', leading to increased aspirations, self esteem and self belief. The reports also provide evidence of the development of practical and social skills through arts based practice: including group working, self direction, communication and motivation.'
These two new studies are set against a background of increasing arts engagement in Wales. The latest November 2007 Wales Omnibus survey shows that arts attendance levels amongst Welsh adults have risen by 5.5% year on year with 73% of Welsh adults now attending arts events at least once a year. Participation in the arts once a year or more has also increased significantly, from 23% in 2006 to 32% in 2007.
Analysis of the survey data over the last 10 years shows a steady increase in arts attendance levels among Welsh adults while arts participation levels have declined until the latest 2007 survey which suggests the decline has begun to be arrested. The change is even more marked among the lower social groups, often in deprived areas of Wales, where there has been a 7.7% increase in arts attendance and 23% increase in arts participation in 2007.
ACW will now build on the reports' findings and seek to develop long-term partnerships to achieve greater public participation in the arts. Dai Smith, Chair for ACW said:
'It is great news for the arts in Wales that the Omnibus Survey has revealed these positive findings regarding the rise of arts attendance levels amongst Welsh adults. Arts participation enriches lives, broadens horizons, encourages creativity to grow and brings communities together as the Arts Engagement Reports that have been launched today demonstrate vividly. The Arts Council of Wales hopes that these important reports will be welcomed by the arts sector and acknowledged and used by those working in community arts and non arts practitioners in regeneration contexts.'
To access the full copies of the Arts and Public Engagement, Patterns, Processes and Levers for Change and Hand in Hand: Arts Based Activities and Regeneration, please e-mail [email protected].