The Reach of the Arts

The reach of the arts (Het bereik van de kunsten) is the fourth study in a series which periodically analyses the status of cultural participation, reading and use of other media. The series, Support for culture (Het culturele draagvlak) is sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

This study investigates the interest in the performing and visual arts. Most attention is devoted to visits to theatres, concert halls and museums and the practising of the arts. In addition, the report explores the collecting of works of art and the extent to which people follow arts programmes via electronic media (television, radio and their own audiovisual equipment). For each of these four forms of participation, the study looks at the trend in interest between the 1970s and the middle of the 1990s. It also maps out the extent to which the profile of those with an interest has changed, and explores the background to the various developments. Attention is devoted to cultural participation in the major cities and to the relative lack of interest in traditional culture among the young.