Forward study on the amateur arts

Singing, playing an instrument, painting, sculpting, amateur dramatics, making films, writing a blog or a song…: almost half the Dutch population are engaged in artistic activity occasionally or even frequently. They give expression to this artistic bent in all kinds of ways: by following lessons, taking part in workshops, engaging in the visual arts either alone or with others, or rehearsing for a performance. The possible ways of doing this are equally diverse: alone and/or as a course participant, as a member of a club or society, or as a member of an informal group following a course at an institution.

Three studies were carried out to discover who does what and how, what opportunities there are for practising the amateur arts and what the amateur arts landscape might look like in 2030. This Forward study on the amateur arts (Toekomstverkenning kunstbeoefening) explores how the amateur arts could develop over the next two decades, reasoning from the perspective of amateur practitioners. What impact will the ongoing individualisation, informalisation, intensification, internationalisation and informatisation have on the practising of the arts as a leisure activity? Will there be just as many practitioners as there are today? Will they have the same preferences and will they experience their artistic hobby in the same way?

The other two studies in the series are FAQ's over kunstbeoefening in de vrije tijd (FAQs about practising the amateur arts) and Mogelijkheden tot kunstbeoefening in de vrije tijd (Opportunities for practising the amateur arts).