Arts and Culture Monitor

Engagement in culture and the arts has the capacity to enrich and transform individuals, communities and environments in WA. It is essential to our personal and community growth and invokes a sense of belonging.

On this page you will find results from the annual survey of Western Australians’ public values and attitudes towards, and attendance and participation in, culture and the arts. 

2024 key findings

Attendance and participation

• 82% of Western Australians specified an arts, cultural or creative event they had attended in the past 12 months. 
• 88% of Western Australians would like to attend more arts, cultural or creative events over the next 12 months.
• 62% of Western Australians participated in at least one activity to express themselves creatively in the past 12 months.

Western Australians value arts, culture and creativity at the highest level in 10 years and believe it positively impacts their wellbeing 

• When Western Australians were asked to rate the value of arts, culture and creativity in their own life, 60% of respondents gave a high rating of 4 or 5 out of 5. Only 3% said arts, culture and creativity provided no value at all.  
• 84% of Western Australians say that arts and culture make them feel good. This is an increase from 2023, and higher than pre-COVID levels. 
• 80% agree that attending or participating in arts, cultural and creative activities and events have a positive impact on their mental health.
• 73% agree that attending or participating in arts, cultural and creative activities improved their sense of belonging and connection with others.
• 81% agree that attending or participating in arts, cultural and creative activities improves understanding and respect for different cultures and perspectives.

Western Australians value arts education and access for children and young people 

• 93% agree that it is important for children and young people to have access to arts, cultural and creative activities as part of their education in school. 
• 91% agree that is important for children and young people to have access to arts, cultural and creative activities outside of school.

People support State Government investment in arts and culture

• 83% of Western Australians agree that the State Government should invest in arts and cultural activities to ensure they are available to the public. 

People are willing to contribute more money to improve access to arts and culture 

• The Western Australian Government provides $2.44 of public funding per person per week for arts and cultural activities, services and facilities. In 2024, a majority of respondents continue to believe this allocation is too low. 
• 74% of Western Australians would be prepared to pay more to expand provision of or increase access to arts and culture in Western Australia
• 48% are willing to pay at least $2 a week more, up from 46% in 2023. Of these, 8% are willing to pay over $10 a week more.
• A further 26% would be willing to pay up to $2 more per week. 

Cost-of-living pressures are impacting Western Australian’s attendance and participation in arts and cultural activities 

• Cost is the most significant barrier to attendance and participation, mentioned by 31% of respondents. Time or being too busy was mentioned by 26%. 

Overall, Western Australians found it more difficult to access or participate in arts, cultural and creative activities in 2024, with regional ease of access and participation significantly lower than in the metro area 

• 55% of Western Australians thought it was easy to access or participate in arts, cultural and creative activities in WA, a decrease from 2023. 
• It is easier to access and participate in the metropolitan area with a score of 68 out of 100 compared to a regional average of 55 out of 100. 

2024 report