The National Arts Participation Survey shows attendance has grown but more people are ambiguous about public funding.

The Australia Council for the Arts has released the findings of the third National Arts Participation Survey, which show that Australians place an increasing value on the arts and that attendance has grown in recent years.

“The research demonstrates that the arts have a unique capacity to connect Australians from diverse backgrounds, and that two in three of us believe the arts help us to understand other people and cultures, and allow us to connect to others. We are highly connected digitally and yet we live in a global era of growing social, cultural and political division that is being evidenced through major social threats. These findings confirm that Australians firmly believe the arts contribute to addressing these issues through breaking down barriers, promoting inclusion and creating understanding”, said Chief Executive Officer of the Australia Council for the Arts, Tony Grybowski.

According to the survey, 98 percent of Australians feel that the arts have a place in their lives, with 60 percent believing that the arts have a big impact on their sense of wellbeing, as well as on their ability to express...