Culture and Society
11.40 There is evidence to suggest that the extent to which people invest and participate in cultural activity influences both cultural and social well-being. Apart from the economic benefits of such activity, culture also supports, for example, the region's sense of identity, community, place, quality of life and citizenship. Attendance and participation rates for various cultural activities in the South West indicate a positive state of health but with some socio-geographical variations. Evidence of rates and trends is provided in studies for Arts Council England, (Arts Council England 2006) and the major DCMS-led national surveys, namely DCMS Taking Part: A National Survey and Sport England Active People.
11.41 A report for Culture South West demonstrates the importance of cultural activity in the lives of older people and the contribution, in turn, of older people to a vibrant and diverse cultural sector, (Hennessy and Giarchi 2006). Cultural activities such as hobbies, sports, religion and volunteerism are shown to promote health and well-being in later life and to generate social capital. The report articulate the impact of the region’s demographic ageing on age-specific development of cultural products and services.
11.42 Although the region's population as a whole invests heavily in cultural activities, there are variations in participation and attendance rates depending on age, socio-economic status and geographic location. According to Arts in England 2003: Attendance, Participation and Attitudes, people aged 55 to 64 had the highest levels of attendance of all age groups at musicals, craft exhibitions, visual arts exhibitions, classical music and opera but arts attendance declines with age across all activities.
11.43 Lower rates are consistently found for people from disadvantaged groups according to findings from DCMS Taking Part Survey. For example, 47% of adults from Black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, 58% of adults with a limiting disability 5 and 57% of adults from lower socio-economic groups visited at least one type of designated historic environment site in the last 12 months compared to the national average of 70%. Again, compared to the national average of 43% for at least one visit to a museum in the last year, 36% of adults from BME backgrounds, 32% of adults with a limiting disability and 29% of adults from lower socio-economic groups, made such a visit.