A rise in the percentage of adults in Scotland participating in cultural activities and attending cultural events has been welcomed by the Culture Secretary and Creative Scotland.

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, welcomes the findings of the report:

“This is great news and confirms that taking part in cultural activities makes a real difference to the lives of our communities across Scotland.  This year Scotland has hosted over 250 events across the length and breadth of the country involving more than 500,000 participants in celebration of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and over 100 projects have been supported through our Year of Creative Scotland 2012 programme, so we hope to see a further rise in participation in 2012”

Following the publication of culture statistics from the Scottish Household Survey 2011, Fiona Hyslop said:

“Scotland’s rich and diverse cultural life brings real benefits to individuals and communities the length and breadth of Scotland. It is very encouraging that participation in cultural activities and attendance at cultural events increased in 2011 compared to the previous 12 months.

“That this has happened in the year following the launch of Creative Scotland, our national agency for the arts and culture, is testament to its strong leadership and hard work in supporting, encouraging and promoting a vast range of artistic and creative activities right across the country.

“It is fantastic to see that attendance at Scotland’s museums, galleries and places of historical interest has risen in 2011, a year which saw the opening of the magnificent, redesigned National Museum of Scotland, the revamped National Portrait Gallery, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, the restored royal palace at Stirling Castle and Glasgow’s new Riverside Museum. I am therefore delighted that - following our investment in Scotland’s culture and our commitment to maintaining free access to our National Collections - even more people are enjoying these excellent attractions.

“I am also extremely pleased that the percentage of adults reading for pleasure has increased in 2011 from the previous year and I am looking forward to Book Week Scotland, our first ever national week-long celebration of reading, later this year.

“I have high hopes that cultural engagement will continue to increase in the future. This year we are celebrating the Year of Creative Scotland 2012, which has created even more opportunities for participation in cultural activities the length and breadth of the country.

“This Government remains fully committed to working with our agencies - including Creative Scotland and the publicly-funded cultural National Collections and National Performing Companies – to widen access to cultural experiences and ensure that the benefits of a creative Scotland can be enjoyed by the whole country.”

The Scottish Household Survey 2011 can be accessed via: www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00997

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