The first survey into attendance, participation and attitudes to the arts among the ethnic minority population in England was published. Over 90 per cent of all ethnic groups had accessed the arts through audio-visual media in the previous four weeks or on the internet in the previous year. 99 per cent of mixed ethnicity respondents believed that all school children should have the opportunity to participate in arts activities. In the previous year 58 per cent of those questioned had been to see a film; 60 per cent of black Africans had been to a library; and 33 per cent of respondents had visited a museum or gallery.
Source: Ann Bridgwood et al., Focus on Cultural Diversity: The changing face of arts attendance and participation in England, Arts Council England, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2003-Dec
A report described 14 voluntary arts projects that contributed to social inclusion. It argued that the voluntary arts were an extremely cost effective opportunity to take government policies such as social cohesion and lifelong learning to socially excluded groups and individuals.
Source: Annabel Jackson, Doing It Ourselves: Learning to challenge social exclusion through voluntary arts, Voluntary Arts Network (029 2039 5395)
Links: Report part 1 (pdf) | Report part 2 (pdf) | Report part 3 (pdf) | Report part 4 (pdf)
Date: 2003-Dec
The government published a framework setting out what the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, together with its sponsored bodies, could do to contribute to the goal of full equality for disabled people.
Source: Beyond 2004: Framework for action on disability, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (020 7211 6200)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2003-Nov
A committee of MPs considered ways in which the government could support the development of the British film industry, for example through tax incentives.
Source: The British Film Industry, Sixth Report (Session 2002-03), HC 667-I, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2003-Sep
The government published a strategic plan aimed at promoting creative, cultural and sporting achievement, and removing the barriers preventing people from participating in cultural and sporting life.
Source: Strategic Plan 2003-2006, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (020 7211 6200)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jun
A report investigated the relationships between cultural capital and economic and social capital. It was found that participation in cultural leisure activities by teenagers had positive effects on their earnings potential, educational attainment and civic engagement in later life.
Source: Karen Robson, Teenage Time Use as Investment in Cultural Capital, Working Paper 2003-12, Institute for Social and Economic Research/University of Essex (01206 873087)
Links: Working paper (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jun
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport published its first strategic plan, covering the period 2003-06.
Source: Strategic Plan 2003-2006, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (020 7211 6200)
Links: Plan (pdf)
Date: 2003-May
Researchers examined the potential role of non-traditional providers in the arts and cultural sectors in offering adult learning opportunities. They recommended that providers should identify specific interest groups and community organisations which can help them extend their reach to additional users.
Source: Anne Lines, David Sims, Robat Powell, Parminder Mann, Louise Dartnall and Thomas Spielhofer, Bigger Pictures, Broader Horizons: Widening access to adult learning in the arts and cultural sector, Research Report 394, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2003-Feb