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Rising disparity in the arts and cultural sectors unveiled by recent studies

Report Reveals Disparities in Arts and Cultural Engagement Post-Pandemic across Nation

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Report Unveils Disparities in Arts and Cultural Engagement Post-Pandemic Across the Nation
Report Unveils Disparities in Arts and Cultural Engagement Post-Pandemic Across the Nation

Rising disparity in the arts and cultural sectors unveiled by recent studies

A report published by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) reveals insights into the current state of arts, culture, and heritage (ACH) workforce and participation in England following the Covid-19 pandemic. The research highlights improvements in overall engagement and employment in the sector, but also emphasizes the persistence of disparities based on class, ethnicity, and region.

The report, titled "Arts, Culture and Heritage: Recent Trends in UK Workforce and Engagement in England," notes that recovery and stabilization have been observed in the ACH sector since the pandemic, with workforce rates showing stability since 2019. However, the research also suggests a connection between workforce participation and cultural engagement, with areas boasting a higher number of ACH workers also displaying increased participation in various activities like art exhibitions, literary events, and live dance.

Significant regional discrepancies exist, as only 13 English local authorities have more than half their population visiting an art exhibition in the last year, all of which are located in London. Regionally, the local authority with the highest percentage of residents visiting art galleries is the City of London, at 70%, while Boston, Lincolnshire stands at just 11%. Other areas with high participation rates include Brighton and Hove (49%) and Oxford (46%).

The report also brings attention to worrisome demographic inequalities. In the past year, there has been a widening class gap in terms of who engages with arts and culture, with a 9% increase in the disparity between middle-class and working-class people attending live music performances and a 7% increase in the gap for attending art exhibitions. Additionally, Black and Asian populations are less likely than other ethnic groups to have engaged in DCMS-categorized ACH activities, with 23% and 19%, respectively, having attended live music compared to 42% of White people.

Places with high levels of people working in ACH occupations typically have greater rates of engagement in most forms of arts and culture, making a strong case for place-based and locally responsive culture and heritage strategies. By addressing these regional disparities, policymakers can work toward creating more equitable access to cultural opportunities.

In response to the report's findings, Bernard Hay, Head of Policy at Creative PEC, stated, "The relationship between place-based approaches to supporting culture and higher rates of cultural engagement suggests that local areas should focus on nurturing opportunities within the ACH workforce as part of a holistic approach."

The report sheds light on the increasing need for targeted strategies that promote access for underrepresented groups, including working-class and minority ethnic communities, while ensuring more equitable distribution of public investment to preserve and expand cultural provision.

The report is available for download as of 00.01 on 7 May 2025, and an online event will explore its findings at 12 noon UK time the same day. To access the report or to arrange interviews with Creative PEC team members, please contact Alice Kent or Simon Jones via the provided email addresses.

The report is part of Creative PEC's "State of the Nations" series, which will publish regular reports on thematic areas over the next five years. For more information about Creative PEC, visit the website, follow on LinkedIn and Bluesky, or sign up to the newsletter.

  1. The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) published a report, titled "Arts, Culture and Heritage: Recent Trends in UK Workforce and Engagement in England," revealing insights about the arts, culture, and heritage (ACH) workforce and participation in England post-Covid-19 pandemic.
  2. The research in the report highlights improvements in overall engagement and employment in the ACH sector since the pandemic, yet it also underscores the persistence of disparities based on class, ethnicity, and region.
  3. The report observes recovery and stabilization in the ACH sector since the pandemic, with workforce rates stable since 2019, and it suggests a connection between workforce participation and cultural engagement within areas that have higher ACH worker populations.
  4. Significant regional differences exist, as only 13 English local authorities have more than half their population visiting art exhibitions in the last year, with London being the only location where all these authorities reside.
  5. The report reveals worrisome demographic inequalities, as the disparity between middle-class and working-class people attending live music performances and art exhibitions has widened, and Black and Asian populations are less likely than other ethnic groups to have engaged in DCMS-categorized ACH activities.
  6. Creative PEC emphasizes the need for targeted strategies that promote access for underrepresented groups, including working-class and minority ethnic communities, while ensuring more equitable distribution of public investment to preserve and expand cultural provision.

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