Arts Data Profile #4

IntroductionDefining Interested Non-Attendance and the Barriers to AttendanceSample FindingsWhen Going Gets Tough reportGSS WebsiteGSS cultural module data

Sample Findings

Who was interested, but did not attend?

For U.S. adults who said they did not attend any exhibit or live music, drama, or theater performance in the last 12 months, the GSS then asked:

During the last 12 months, was there a performance or exhibit that you wanted to go to, but did not?

Those who answered "yes" are our interested non-attendees. You can explore the demographics of these individuals, using the dropdown menus below.

Overall, there were no significant differences by age in the share of U.S. adults who expressed they were interested in attending the arts, but who ultimately did not attend within the past 12 months.

Overall, there were no significant differences by age in the share of U.S. adults who expressed they were interested in attending the arts, but who ultimately did not attend within the past 12 months.

What share of adults who were interested, but did not attend, cited location access as a barrier?

Difficulty getting to the location of an exhibit or performance can be a barrier to arts attendance, especially for older individuals living with persistent illness or disabilities, or for those residing in rural or other areas with less access to transportation.

Young adults ages 18 to 29 as well as adults aged 45 and older often mentioned difficulty getting to the exhibit or performance location as a barrier to their attendance.

Young adults ages 18 to 29 as well as adults aged 45 and older often mentioned difficulty getting to the exhibit or performance location as a barrier to their attendance.

What share of adults who were interested, but did not attend, cited lack of someone to go with as a barrier?

The most common major motivation U.S. adults cite for attending the arts is to socialize with their family members or friends. For many people, not having someone to go with can be a barrier that ultimately discourages them from attending.

Not having someone to go with was a much more common barrier among older individuals. For exhibits, this barrier was increasingly common with age. For performances, younger adults also frequently mentioned social barriers to attendance.

Not having someone to go with was a much more common barrier among older individuals. For exhibits, this barrier was increasingly common with age. For performances, younger adults also frequently mentioned social barriers to attendance.

What share of adults who were interested, but did not attend, cited lack of time as a barrier?

Lack of time and work commitments can be a barrier to arts attendance, especially for parents with young children who may need to find childcare.

Lack of time and work commitments most frequently prevented young adults' attendance, whereas this barrier was least common among people ages 60 and over.

Lack of time and work commitments most frequently prevented young adults' attendance, whereas this barrier was least common among people ages 60 and over.