New report shows the arts are enjoyed by all in Northern Ireland

Audiences NI have come up with a new report that in my opinion explores some of the myths about theatre attendance in Northern Ireland.

"A new report shows that the arts are enjoyed by people from all walks of life in Northern Ireland, exploding the myth that the arts are the preserve of an elite minority. The Audience Audit is based on data drawn from 22 arts organisations across Northern Ireland and looks at who went to the arts in 2008, what they spent and when they attended. Audiences NI has produced the report using the socio-demographic classification system Mosaic NI. This system divides Northern Irish consumers into nine ‘groups’ based on a range of indicators including income and lifestage. The Audience Audit report shows that people who go to the arts are drawn from all nine Mosaic groups, including Farming Communities and Housing Executive Tenants. Additionally the report demonstrates that the arts contribute significantly to the Northern Irish economy, with ticket sales alone generating £13.5 million in 2008. "

The Alley Mosaic Report 2008 showed that our largest groups comes from Farming Communities and Housing Executive Tenants, which is replicated across Northern Ireland in this new report.

Our core aim is to develop the arts and increase arts participation across the whole of the community, and I think this report and our own research shows many critics that arts are not only for the middle class, but for all groups in society.