Key findings 

• 84% of Australians recognise the positive impacts of arts and creativity, and there is growing recognition of the value of the arts across a range of areas including: 
  • child development (63%, up 13 percentage points) 
  • our sense of wellbeing and happiness (56%, up 11 percentage points) 
  • dealing with stress, anxiety or depression (56%, up 11 percentage points) 
  • understanding other people and cultures (60%, up eight percentage points)  
  • bringing customers to local businesses (41%, up nine percentage points)  
• One in two Australians believe the arts build creative skills that will be necessary for the future workforce (47%, new in 2019). 
• Nearly every Australian – 98% of us – engage in the arts in some way. 
• Prior to COVID-19, live attendance at arts events was thriving. More than two in three Australians attended the arts in person in 2019 (68%), up nearly ten percentage points since 2016. 
• More than one in three Australians connect with, and share, their cultural background through arts and creativity (36%), including by attending arts events (31%). 
• A growing majority of Australians (75%) feel that First Nations arts are an important part of Australia’s culture, and both attendance (32%) and interest (40%) are increasing. However only half feel that First Nations arts are well represented. 
• Young people (aged 15-24 years) are highly engaged, more likely than other age groups to recognise the impacts of the arts and creativity, and more willing to give time and money to the arts.  
• Support for public funding for the arts is strong and growing (63%, up 12 percentage points) and Australians have clear priorities for investment, including ensuring access to the arts and creative experiences for young people to support learning and development.