Norwegian cultural barometer, 2008

The Cultural barometer for 2008 shows that 53 per cent of the population in the age group 9-79 years have been to a performance with theatre, musical or revue during the last 12 months. In 2004, the same percentage was 49. There has been an equivalent increase in visits to cultural festivals, from 28 percent in 2004 to 32 per cent in 2008. These are the biggest changes in culture use over the last four years.

Most people visit cinemas

Cinemas are still the offering that most people use. 70 per cent of the population have visited a cinema in the last 12 months in 2008, against 68 per cent in 2004. Concerts and sport events follow next, with a yearly attendance of 62 and 56 per cent respectively. The public libraries have had a small decrease in use between 2004 and 2008, from 54 per cent to 51 per cent.

 While 43 per cent had been at a museum in 2008, 42 per cent had been at art exhibitions. 39 per cent had attended are religious or philosophical community meeting. Only 12 per cent had been at a ballet or dance performance and 5 per cent at an opera or operetta performance.

Two out of three have never been to an opera or operetta

In the 2008 survey 64 per cent answered that they had never been to an opera or operetta performance. 58 per cent had never been to a ballet or dance performance. No one answered that they had never been to a cinema. 3 per cent had never been to a museum, 4 per cent had never been to a public library and 5 per cent had never been to a sports event.

Women are the most active users

More women than men are users of the traditional cultural offerings. Women are more avid users of theatre, opera, ballet, art exhibitions, public libraries and religious/philosophical community meetings. Men are more active users of sport events. Women and men go equally often to cinemas and cultural festivals, museums and concerts.

Increasing use of culture among older people

Children and teenagers use more culture than other age groups. Children aged 9-15 years have in a greater extent been to sport events, ballet/dance performances, museums, public libraries and religious/philosophical community meetings per year. The persons aged 16-24 years are the most eager visitors to cinemas, concerts and cultural festivals during the year. Still, the increase of cultural use has been largest among persons at the age 67-79 years. While 10 per cent had been at a cinema in 1991, the same number was 39 in 2008. Equivalent numbers for theatre/musical/revue are 23 and 41 per cent.

Use of culture is socially uneven distributed

People's income and education have great importance for the use of most cultural offerings. Those who have high education are greater users of culture than others.. This especially applies to cinemas, theatre, opera/operetta and ballet/dance, art exhibitions and museums. It also applies to public libraries and concerts to a certain degree.

Largest interest for sports and popular concerts

Concerts are the most popular cultural offering among Norwegians. More than one out of five is very interested in attending concerts. Next in line are sport events, cinemas and cultural festivals. Only 2 per cent are on the other hand very interested in attending ballet performances, and 3 per cent are interested in attending opera performances. As much as 71 per cent say that they are not interested in attending ballet performances.

Most own activity in sports and music

Sport is the cultural field where people are most active. I 2008, 32 per cent answered that they are members of an athletic club, and 30 per cent have been active participants at a sport event the last two years. In addition to sports, activities within music are also popular. 35 per cent can play an instrument and 12 per cent play regularly. 9 per cent are members of a choir or an orchestra. 15 per cent of the population has performed publicly with song or music the last two years. 11 per cent are active in arts/handicrafts and 4 per cent are active in organised dance in their leisure time.