Cultural engagement in Scotland: what is it and why does it matter?

Closed 2 Aug 2024

Opened 8 Jul 2024

Contact

socialresearch@gov.scot

Feedback updated 27 Nov 2024

We asked

We sought views on what you like to do in your free time, what stops you from doing that, and asking what do culture and creativity mean to you. The survey opened on 8th July 2024 and closed on 2nd August 2024.

You said

We received 504 survey responses, with representation across every local authority area in Scotland. The responses were mainly from individuals but included a small number (fewer than 14) from organisations.

Respondents were unanimously positive about the role that culture and creativity play in their life. The variety of responses highlight the way that culture and creativity are a major part in people’s expression and identity, with a strong link to social connections and wellbeing. While cultural engagement is related to people’s choices, interests and preferences, there are barriers for some groups. Cost, accessibility and infrastructure are three major challenges.

We did

All survey responses were read and analysed by researchers, who produced a report: Cultural engagement in Scotland: insights from people's experiences. This report captures the different views with analysis of the main issues raised, and includes direct quotes from survey respondents.

This research has important implications. It underscores the need to ensure the approach to culture includes the everyday, the emerging, the established and the more formal, and that cultural events and programmes meet the needs and interests of different population groups.

Overview

We have developed this survey to help us understand how people describe and enjoy culture, and what matters most to them. We are seeking your views on the things that you enjoy doing and if you experience any challenges in accessing different activities and places. We are doing this because we would like to gather different types of evidence, to better understand what everyday culture looks like and how it fits in our lives.  

For more information on the Scottish Government’s vision for cultural engagement in Scotland please see our Culture Strategy.

The survey is voluntary and will take about 20 minutes to complete. It is made up of 10 open questions. The reason we have asked open questions is to let people explain their views to us in their own words in as much, or as little detail as they like. You will then be asked to provide some information about yourself (such as your age and local authority) to help us understand people's different experiences.

An Easy Read version of this survey is available to download below. This can be returned to us by email. For any other accessibility requirements, please contact us through socialresearch@gov.scot

Please note that while we value your input, this survey does not constitute a formal consultation, and individual responses will remain anonymous and will not be published on the Citizen Space platform. 

Useful information about responding to this survey

As you complete your response, each page will provide the option to 'Save and come back later' at the bottom. This means you can save your progress and return at any time before it closes. If you don't use this feature and leave the survey midway through, your response will be lost.

Once you have submitted your response, you can enter your email address to get a pdf copy of your answers sent to you.

On the 'About You' page at the end of this survey, organisations will have the opportunity to tell us more about their work and/or how their response was informed.

Why your views matter

Your responses will give us a fuller understanding of what culture means to you and what challenges may prevent people from enjoying cultural activities. This information will be used by Scottish Government to increase our understanding on this topic.

Only a few Scottish Government analysts will be able to see full responses. They will make sure that everything is anonymised appropriately so that nobody will know who said what.  

Your response will not be published in full, although the final research report may include quotes (with permission). Quotes will be completely anonymous. 

To find out how we handle your personal data, please see our privacy policy below.

What happens next

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide us with your views. The responses will be analysed and published in a report on the Scottish Government website later this year. 

To find out how we handle your personal data, please see our privacy policy. By clicking submit you agree to our privacy policy.

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